Speedy free agent options for the Kansas City Chiefs offense
By Matt Conner
3. Travis Benjamin
They say a player’s greatest ability is his availability which is bad news for a free agent like Travis Benjamin. The big-play ability is there. The downfield speed is no question. The route-running is great. The hands are fine. Benjamin’s health is the only that has kept him from being a more popular player (and making a lot more money).
The Chiefs are familiar with the ups and downs of a fragile player at wideout by watching Sammy Watkins for the last two years. A Super Bowl trophy is proof enough that it worked, but as the Chiefs likely look at post-Watkins life, would they want to deal with the same issues once again?
If so, Benjamin might be a risk worth taking. We’re nowhere near Watkins’ financial territory here, but Benjamin is a very fast veteran who ran a 4.36 second time in his own 40-yard dash. Despite injuries, Benjamin remains a deep threat teams must account for.
How much does Benjamin have left? That’s the main question at this point. He finished last season on injured reserve for the Chargers and he’s now on the wrong side of 30. With a recent season featuring only 6 catches for 30 total yards, Benjamin will have no choice but to likely take a veteran minimum deal in hopes he can prove himself for one more payday.
If that’s the case, the Chiefs could be an ideal landing spot. Benjamin is experienced and could be an instant impact in a smaller role as another speedy threat that Patrick Mahomes can use.