Chiefs training camp: Watching the wide receivers

October 5, 2014; Santa Clara, CA, USA; Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Junior Hemingway (88) lines up during the third quarter against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi

Junior Hemingway, the receiver who wears Tony Gonzalez’s number, is an interesting case study. He’s had issues since coming into the league with staying healthy and rarely makes many plays when he sees the field, but can help on all forms of special teams. As we sit here today, I can’t see how Hemingway makes the team coming out of training camp. Yet, somehow, it should be no surprise if he ends up making the cut.

Donatella Luckett is an interesting name in that few if anyone really knows much about him. There is some athleticism to work with and being on the Senior Bowl roster certainly helps that case. On film, he resembles Albert Wilson. He’s not overly fast, but is fast enough to get the edge and appears willing and able. However, the offense that Hardin ran was very run-heavy, so the question of technique and understanding route concepts will be a question that needs to be answered.

Like many of the young receivers on the roster currently, much will depend on his training camp and preseason opportunities to see if he lands on the roster, or more likely, a candidate for the practice squad.

We’re all excited to see what Maclin will do in this offense. His speed and playmaking ability has not been seen in Kansas City since……yeah. Maclin has big-time ability and big-time speed, and his impact could be a major factor on the Chiefs making the playoffs. Not only can Maclin get deep and behind the defense, his game speed can turn a short pass into a long gain. Just another thing Kansas City has lacked at the position for a long, long time.

How much will having played for Andy Reid in Philadelphia help his transition here in Kansas City? Lets hope by the time the season starts, Maclin and Smith are on the same page.

Jaret Smith is from a small school in Abiliene, Tx.; McMurray University. Per chiefsdigest.com, Smith signed with the Chiefs in June after a tryout and is the career leader in reception yardage with 2,729 and second on the list with 181 receptions. I honestly don’t know much about the kid, but based on his size, he would appear to be another smaller receiver, measuring 5-foot-9 at his pro day.

Next: Hello, Mr. Wilson