Why the Chiefs should reach for Henry Ruggs III (or another elite wide receiver)
The Health of Watkins, and the development of Hardman
The Kansas City Chiefs front office clearly believes that a second or third dynamic receiver is very important to defending the team’s Super Bowl title. It’s understandable, as the team does not win Super Bowl LIV without the production of Watkins in the 2019 playoffs. He was incredible in both the AFC Championship and the Super Bowl. As if by a miracle, they worked out a deal to stay under the league cap and keep him around another year.
The caveat here is that Watkins has a very streaky track record of staying healthy. If for some reason he were to have a more serious injury, preventing him from playing in the playoffs altogether, this would hamper the offense’s explosiveness. They’d still be dynamic, but would it be enough to win a second Super Bowl in a row? I’m not so sure.
That’s not even considering the clavicle injury that Tyreek Hill sustained in 2019, the lack of depth at tight end in terms of receiving, or the assumption that Mecole Hardman would be ready for a number two role in 2020.
These questions may never have to be asked, but if they are having another ridiculously talented receiver provides a very valuable insurance policy both in 2020 and beyond when Watkins is potentially no longer a Kansas City Chief.