KC Chiefs: Under-the-radar free agent targets on offense
Wide Receivers
Marvin Jones is the biggest name on this list and it’s probably debatable if he even belongs on a list of “under the radar” signings. The reason I ultimately decided to put him on this list is because I do think it’s possible that the Chiefs could sign him for a reasonable deal. With salary cap space in short supply for most teams this offseason, there likely won’t be as many huge contracts flying around. If there are going to be some big deals handed out to any wide receivers, it’s much more likely that those deals go to guys like Allen Robinson, Chris Godwin, and Juju Smith-Schuster who are all younger and flashier than Jones.
Jones has been a very consistent producer for the Lions over the past five seasons. In four of those five seasons (he was limited to 9 games in 2018) he has had at least 55 receptions, 779 yards, and 4 touchdowns. He’s got good hands and runs reliable routes. He’d be great reliable number two wideout across from Tyreek Hill.
Marvin Jones will be 31 when next season begins. He’s spent his entire NFL career with two struggling franchises in the Cincinnati Bengals and Detroit Lions and has gone on record as wanting to chase a Super Bowl in free agency this year. So we have a year where contracts will be down across the board and a 31 year old receiver who’s tired of playing for losing teams and wants to go somewhere where he has a chance to win a Super Bowl.
Can you think of a better place to do that than in Kansas City where Patrick Mahomes is throwing you the ball in Andy Reid’s pass happy offense? This feels like a match made in heaven to me.
If some other team were to make Marvin Jones a big offer or the Chiefs just want to go with a younger option, Josh Reynolds would be another fantastic choice. Reynolds played his first four seasons with the Los Angeles Rams. He was mostly a depth/role player his first three seasons, but emerged as their primary third receiver last season. Reynolds finished the 2020 season with 52 receptions for 618 yards and 2 touchdowns. Given that the Rams have Robert Woods and Cooper Kupp as starters and drafted Van Jefferson last season, it seems very unlikely that they will bring Reynolds back next year.
While Reynolds certainly hasn’t proven himself to be in the same league as a healthy Sammy Watkins, he has been able to do something that Watkins hasn’t, stay healthy. Reynolds has been active for all 16 games for each of his first four NFL seasons. Plus, Reynolds 6-foot-3 and 196 pound frame would be a nice larger target on the outside opposite Hill.
Reynolds is an emerging player, but has already been more productive than someone like Demarcus Robinson. Reynolds is a long strider who has deep threat upside and has the height/long arms/hands to be a jump ball threat unlike K.C. has had at wideout recently. Patrick Mahomes would certainly be more likely to take advantage of that skill set than Jared Goff. KC’s number two receiver is essentially their number three target and I think Reynolds would be a great weapon to add behind Hill and Travis Kelce in KC’s high-powered offense.
Now let’s look at a couple of tight end options that the Chiefs could look at.