Chiefs Free Agent Prospects: Danny Amendola

The Kansas City Chiefs need to add quality depth at a number of positions this offseason if they want to avoid a repeat of their disappointing 2011 season.

The quickest way to add that depth is to pick up a few veterans through free agency. This is another in a series of posts we are doing trying to identify certain free agents that might be a good fit in KC.

Up next? WR Danny Amendola.

I wouldn’t have given Amendola much of a thought but the Chiefs’ recent hire of Tom McMahon to be their new special teams coach. McMahon was the special teams coach in St. Louis since 2009, which was the same year Amendola arrived from the Eagles practice squad.

Amendola played a little as slot receiver in 2009, catching 43 passes for 326 yards. Where he really excelled, however, was in the return game. He returned 66 kicks for 1,618 yards and 31 punts returns for 360 yards. He also led the NFL with 12 returns of 20+ yards in 2009 and 2010 combined.

In 2011, Amendola landed on IR with a triceps surgery.

Set to be a free agent, Amendola could be a cheap, quality pickup for KC. He would give then a backup option in the slot, as well as another return man. While Javier Arenas and, to a lesser degree, Dexter McCluster do a decent job in the return game, both seem to be taking on more important roles in their primary positions. If there is room on the roster, Amendola could be a full time punt/kick returner while also providing a little depth at the WR positions. Arenad and McCluster could then be kept fresh for their roles at CB and RB respectively.

With McCluster on the roster,however, a guy like Amendola might be overkill. He is is 5’11”, 183, but is a more polished and accomplished receiver than McCluster. With McCluster moving more towards a 3rd down running back role, having a receiver like Amendola available for four wide receiver sets might be of some value.

To be honest, I doubt Scott Pioli will target Amendola. With guys like McCluster and Charles already on the roster and of course, Steve Breaston, he likely will want to add bigger, more durable skill position players.

Still, Amendola’s connection to Tom McMahon make him at least worth mentioning.

What do you think Addicts? Is Amendola an option for the Chiefs this offseason?