The National Football League is a “What have you done for me lately?” league. Recently , Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Dwayne Bowe hasn’t done much.
Bowe, a first round selection out of LSU in 2007, entered the league and immediately validated being selected with the 23rd overall pick. In his rookie season Bowe snagged 70 receptions and accumulated 995 yards and five touchdowns. Since then, he’s eclipsed the 1,000 yard receiving mark three times and had a career high 15 touchdown catches in 2010.
However, it’s safe to say that Bowe isn’t the receiver he’s used to be. In fact, his most recent season should be a cause for concern.
In 2013, Bowe struggled: he caught 57 passes for 673 yards, the second lowest season total of his career. The Chiefs leading pass catcher didn’t even come from the receiving corps. That honor came from Kansas City running back Jamaal Charles, who led the Chiefs with 70 receptions.
Success in professional football is incredibly difficult to maintain, so Bowe’s drop in numbers shouldn’t come as a surprise.
While Bowe has had a fine career thus far with the Chiefs, he’ll have to bounce back in 2014—he needs it, and so do the Chiefs.
In today’s pass-happy version of the NFL, a playoff team needs not only one talented receiver, but two. When Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith was in San Francisco, he had a plethora of targets to throw to. However, in his first year with the Chiefs, he didn’t have the same options—especially on the outside.
Last year the Chiefs lacked a true go-to-guy on the outside. As of right now, Bowe is in that position. With free agency and the draft coming up, that is subject to change.
Expect general manager John Dorsey to reload this off season at the receiver position, possibly generating some competition that leads to a more successful season for Bowe in 2014.