Six affordable free agent wide receivers for the Kansas City Chiefs to consider
Terrelle Pryor
I’ve mentioned Pryor in my writing before. A converted wide receiver, from quarterback, Pryor has demonstrated the ability to be a number one receiver. Not consistently, by any stretch, but he has demonstrated an ability to be a primary receiver in the NFL. That much is true.
What’s more, the Chiefs only need him to be option three, and at times of need, option two in their offense. He’s shown the ability to do that, and I believe Pryor has enough gas left in the tank to give the Chiefs what they need for a bargain.
Pryor hasn’t had a very consistent career, but as recently as 2016 with the Cleveland Browns, Pryor played in 16 games, caught 77 passes, amassed 1007 yards, and caught four touchdown passes. Keeping in mind that this was pre-Baker Mayfield with a far less talented receiving corp, this is actually a pretty impressive season.
Pryor won’t be a game breaker. None of these players likely will. But he could easily step in and be a big body over the middle as a third option for Mahomes to throw to. It likely wouldn’t cost the Chiefs much either. Given the free agent options, it shouldn’t surprise anyone if Pryor only received the veteran minimum.
Conclusion:
The Chiefs wide receivers are a bit of an unknown quantity right now for various reasons—the Tyreek Hill situation, the departure of Chris Conley to the Jags, and the relative unknowns other than Sammy Watkins make this unit seem somewhat thin.
It’s possible that the Chiefs’ receivers will have a great year in spite of the uncertainty. Demarcus Robinson, Mecole Hardman, and Byron Pringle all have potential—that much is absolutely true. However, in a year that the Chiefs’ hopes are basically Super Bowl or bust, eliminating as much uncertainty as possible is the right way to go.
Fortunately, there are several affordable options on the free agent market that could be Chiefs’ receivers in short order. There are pros and cons with each of these players, and none of them are likely to set the world on fire. But they have been proven players at one time or another and could be a reliable option for the reigning MVP.