Where do they stand? Chiefs Pre-Camp wide receivers

So here is the thing. A championship team is a road, not a destination.

That is becoming more and more clear as the John Dorsey and Andy Reid regime moves toward the goal of a championship.

They have been comfortable allowing talented players to develop in the system as they let older veterans move on. The team’s leadership has shown this trend over the last several seasons.

This has been key in the 2016 offseason as well. This will start a new series leading up to training came looking at where the roster stands before the start of practices. We talked about some big questions on the new episode of the CWM podcast too. Here you go:

The first in this series, will be a look at the wide receivers.

Quarterback Alex Smith has been a controversial figure for the Chiefs. Weather you believe it team has reached its potential with Smith leading the offense or whether you think the team needs to move on, one thing is certain. Smith’s success goes hand in hand with the talent he has at wide receiver. And Travis Kelce for that matter, as he’s the #2 option in the passing game.

Now, the the next evolution of the wide receiver corps appears to be upon us. Jeremy Maclin brought his talent to the team in 2016 and had success as expected. He has now spent the offseason mentoring the two young receivers that played opposite him. Andy Reid told the assembled press that his influence was plain to see.

I think I’d tell you yes, that both of them working with Maclin paid off – Andy Reid on Jeremy Maclin

The young duo of Chris Conley and Albert Wilson spent the offseason training with Maclin. While they spent 2015 splitting time across from Maclin, it appears OTA is have set them up to become a trio.

That’s mandatory mini camp concluded the first team reps for the X receiver were going to Chris Conley. That allowed for Albert Wilson to run routes out of the slot.

Andy Reid did comment that “We were able to move Albert to that inside slot position at times and he handled that well.” Clearly, this is a direction he and the coaching staff would like to continue in. As you read in this calm before, this is the natural fit in the best potential direction or these two players as well as the Kansas City offense as a whole.

Conley was able to have success down the field and on crossing routes in 2015 showing his potential to draw the defense across the field for Maclin. His natural talent and stride tend to make that the best position for him to line up at. Entering his second pro season,

Albert Wilson on the other hand has shown better short area quickness and better underneath route running. Tracking the ball over his head is not a strong point for him but giving him more room to maneuver in the middle of the field highlights his natural talent as well. Wilson will have to learn a new aspect of the office but the slot this is best chance to break out in the coming season.

As the core duo gets into rhythm in camp, things will shake out. Expect to see these three heavily involved in the the offense during the preseason.

The big question marks will be where Rod Streater, DeAnthony Thomas and Demarcus Robinson will fit in. Two of the three will be the fourth/fifth man and could contribute to the offense. Tyreek Hill is likely be the return man, but projecting him to get playing time on offense in his rookie season is a long shot. Don’t count him being anything more that the sixth WR/KR/PR.

We’ll know more in a few weeks addicts! how you feeling about where the roster stands right now?