Byron Pringle is in line for a larger role for Kansas City Chiefs

What will Byron Pringle’s role be in the Chiefs offense in 2020?

The Kansas City Chiefs have arguably the best wide receiver room in the NFL. Not only do they have players like Tyreek Hill and Sammy Watkins leading the way as the top two options, but there is also plenty of depth at the position with exceptional potential. Mecole Hardman enters his second season and looks to be the new third weapon in the offense come 2020. That still leaves players like Byron Pringle, who could see their stock rise in the upcoming season.

An undrafted free agent in 2018, Pringle lost his rookie season to an injury during the last preseason game. In 2019, Pringle saw playing time due to injuries to players like Hill and Watkins early in the year. His most notable game was against the Indianapolis Colts in Week 5. Hauling in six receptions for 103 yards and a touchdown, Pringle played a role that no other receiver on the roster could fill.

Outside of Watkins, Pringle is the only receiver on the roster that can play that “X” role as a possession receiver. When defenses lined up playing heavy press-man coverages, Pringle was the only receiver that showcased the ability to win at the line of scrimmage in 2019 when Hill and Watkins were out.

So what does Pringle bring to the table that could elevate his role in the offense? Even coming out of college at Kansas State, Pringle showed his intelligence. He knows the nuances of release packages, has an extensive route tree, and knows several ways of manipulating defensive backs to separate. He combines his short-area quickness with good hand fighting and footwork variety to get off of press coverages at the line of scrimmage.

Those skills carry over into his route running as well. Pringle keeps his eyes looking deep until he makes his breaks to sell everything as vertical. Utilizing his suddenness, he knows how to freeze defenders leading up to his cut. When it comes to creating separation, at the line of scrimmage, or into his route stem, the former Wildcat is ahead of many of the developmental receivers on the roster.

What is a realistic expectation for Pringle within the offense with all of the talent ahead of him? Considering that he has only had one season playing within the offense, it’s understandable that he has seen limited snaps. That’s common for an Andy Reid offense. Hardman will be the focal point in 2020 to elevate to the number three receiver over returning wide receiver Demarcus Robinson.

As the Chiefs give Hardman more route combinations in 2020 to be that number three receiver, Robinson will likely take over as the number four. It wouldn’t be surprising to see him start to lose some of those reps to Pringle, however, as the season goes along. Failing to develop over his rookie contract in Kansas City, Robinson is what he is at this point. Giving some more of those reps to Pringle, who is more of a question mark, could be what we see this season.

Early on, Pringle’s role will likely be heavy on the special teams side where he has already had success. Taking over as the primary return specialist will allow Hardman to take on more of the offense. He won’t see much playing time within the offense unless injuries occur with the firepower that they already have. The fortunate thing for Pringle is that he is the only receiver that can take over in Watkins’ role if he were to go down for any length of time.