The Chiefs need a wide receiver even if Tyreek Hill is set to play

The idea of the Kansas City Chiefs taking a wide receiver isn’t at all reliant on Tyreek Hill having to potentially miss some time.

As the NFL Draft edges closer on the calendar, a first round idea has been taking over the conversation when it comes to Kansas City Chiefs fans and analysts. Specifically, the notion that the Chiefs might be able to take one of the NFL’s best wide receivers in the draft at the No. 29 overall spot has been sparking interest from some—and disdain from others.

Without any sure thing at wideout, the receivers in this year’s class aren’t set to come off the board until Day 2, with the potential of one or two finding a home late in the first round. Even an athletic marvel like D.K. Metcalf has to answer for agility concerns or lack of polish. However, that doesn’t mean there aren’t several good to even great options to be had in the draft.

More from Arrowhead Addict

As for the Chiefs, this offseason has brought up questions for a league-leading offense. The team already released Kareem Hunt back in December and watched him sign with the Cleveland Browns. While the backfield is in good short-term hands with Damien Williams, who looked very solid in place of Hunt down the stretch, and the addition of Carlos Hyde on a one-year deal, the overall tandem still lacks the dynamism of Hunt, who led the league in rushing his freshman season.

The bigger question being asked concerns Tyreek Hill. Authorities are still investigating claims of child abuse that reportedly took place at Hill’s home earlier this offseason. No charges have been filed at all, and news has been slow to surface in either direction. It’s a cloud hanging over the Chiefs at this point as all parties await the results of the investigation and subsequent statements.

There are two schools of thought at work here.

Don’t invest in offense in the draft (at least up top) because Patrick Mahomes is going to keep the Chiefs dangerous offensively no matter who surrounds him.
Keep investing on offense, because it’s easier to pour gas on a fire already burning. Remember the Chiefs were only one or two plays from a Super Bowl appearance due to their offense.

For those who want to invest in the offense, the idea is pretty simple. If Hill is unable to play for any number of games (or gone from the roster in a worst case scenario), the Chiefs need to be able to keep rolling since the defense is still such a work in progress. In short, keep tipping the gas can.

Here’s the reality, however. The Chiefs do need to continue to add gas, but it’s not related to Hill in any way—at least not in need. It might increase the emphasis or importance, but it was already on the agenda even if Hill is cleared of everything before the draft even begins.

In Andy Reid‘s offense, a wide receiver takes time to make an impact because of the complexity of it all. “This offense is the broadest offense I’ve ever been in,” Sammy Watkins said when he first arrived in K.C. “It’s definitely a mental challenge.” A rookie often has a hard time coming in and making an immediate impact.

If the Chiefs were to choose a receiver early in the draft, say in the first or second round, it’s likely not about anything in 2019 anyway. It’s possible for that receiver to put up some numbers, yes, but if the Chiefs take a wideout, it’s because they are thinking long-term. Watkins is going to be quite expensive in year two and three, and the Chiefs could release him after this year and save considerable money. Even if they keep Watkins, he’s due to be a free agent after 2020, right about the time a rookie would be ready to blossom in year three under Reid.

Travis Kelce might be the NFL’s best tight end, but he also turns 30-years-old in October. Chris Conley left in free agency for Jacksonville, and De’Anthony Thomas remains unsigned. Demarcus Robinson is very gifted athletically, but he’s yet to make the leap, and counting on any fringe prospects—Marcus Kemp, Gehrig Dieter, Byron Pringle, Josh Crockett—to turn into a sure thing is a fool’s errand. It’s great when it happens, but no GM in his right mind will actually depend on it.

When the Chiefs offense was in its stride last season, the cluster of Hill, Watkins, Hunt, and Kelce formed a historically great offensive core. Now Hunt is gone. Kelce is older. Watkins is a health risk on an expensive short-term deal. Hill faces some potentially serious drama. If Murphy’s Law takes effect here (that if something can happen, it will happen), then the Chiefs need to pour some gasoline on this thing.

dark. Next. Free agent defenders who could help the Chiefs draft flexibility

Investing early in a wide receiver is a smart thing to do, regardless of anything to do with Tyreek Hill. It’s about keeping this dangerous offense moving for years to come.

Home/Kansas City Chiefs News