Which Chiefs player takes biggest leap in 2016?

facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 5
Next
Oct 4, 2015; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Chris Conley (17) against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium. The Bengals won 36-21. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 4, 2015; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Chris Conley (17) against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium. The Bengals won 36-21. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports /

Chris Conley is going to be in competition for the starting spot opposite Jeremy Maclin. After posting a rookie season of 17 catches and 199 yards with a touchdown. When he was forced into a starting spot throughout the last half of the Wild Card game and the Divisional round against the New England Patriots, Conley caught six passes for 42 yards and a touchdown.

The question of how much Conley can improve also depends on if he can crack the starting lineup over Albert Wilson, Rod Streater, Mike Williams, DeMarcus Robinson and others. He clearly has the tools, running a 4.3 40-yard dash while having a 6-foot-2, 205-pound frame.

The Chiefs desperately need somebody to step up and play the role of counterpart to Maclin. Wilson has been underwhelming in his first two seasons in comparison to other No. 2 wideouts across the NFL. With Wilson’s ceiling seemingly low, Conley has an opportunity to steal the job and contribute on a meaningful level in 2016.

If Conley can’t win the job, perhaps expectations should be lowered on the 2015 third-round pick out of the University of Georgia. If we are honest about the situation, this is a job he must win.

Next: James O'Shaughnessy