KC Chiefs: Wide receiver could bring considerable 2021 NFL Draft investment

As we continue our look at each and every position on the K.C. Chiefs roster in an attempt to gauge what they might do when it comes to the 2021 NFL Draft, we now turn to one of the positions at which the team could make the greatest investment of all: wide receiver.

It feels weird to even type that about any other position than offensive tackle, but at this point, it’s clear the Chiefs will make some level of investment there. They’ve also checked in on Russell Okung in free agency and have the numbers of Eric Fisher and Mitchell Schwartz obviously handy. The presence of Mike Remmers, Lucas Niang and even Kyle Long on the roster give some security and flexibility in terms of personnel as well. That’s not to say that it’s not a major need—it most certainly is—but the team could make an even greater investment in wideout.

Looking at the Chiefs at this point, it might sound odd to make a major investment in another offensive pass catcher. At present, the Chiefs likely have two future Pro Football Hall of Fame candidates in wide receiver Tyreek Hill and tight end Travis Kelce. It’s easy to ask how many more targets there are to go around, making it a question of how important any other pass catcher would be to this offense.

However, anyone who saw the difference in the effectiveness of the Chiefs offense with and without Sammy Watkins at full strength knows how elite this group can become with a dynamic presence at the X receiver role, a larger physical target who can maximize one-on-one opportunities due to the presence of so many other dangerous targets to cover.

The KC Chiefs should be expected to make a major investment in WR in the 2021 NFL Draft.

Thinking long-term, it’s also important for the Chiefs to begin to add some cost-controlled youth at the position. The first year is often a lost year for a wide receiver in Andy Reid’s system given how long it takes to adjust to the mental side. That’s not to say that a rookie cannot make an impact, but there is typically considerable growth after that first season.

With that long-term view in mind, it’s important to note that Tyreek Hill’s contract is up after the 2022 season, meaning that the Chiefs will be re-evaluating their commitment soon. There’s every reason to believe they will explore another extension with him 12 months from now (or so), but having another top-shelf target in the making would give them security in case something is wrong there. Hill will also be firmly in his late twenties in the next deal. Any such worries about age and potential decline in production is even more acute with Kelce, although we’re not discussing tight ends here and the man himself shows no signs of slowing down.

Moving forward, Demarcus Robinson will be a free agent after this season (again) and Byron Pringle will join him. Hill will be in a contract year next season and Mecole Hardman will also be in his final year. In short, everyone is scheduled to come off the books in just two seasons, at least apart from players who have not yet proven anything at the pro level (Jody Fortson, Maurice FFrench, Marcus Kemp).

No one should insinuate that Hill is going anywhere in the future. Hopefully he retires a Chiefs, and the safe assumption is that he has plenty left in the tank. However, the Chiefs lack considerable long-term depth at the position and could use a shot in the arm specifically at the X receiver role. Don’t be surprised if the team not only invests in the position in one of the first few rounds (maybe even in the first round overall) while also adding another body on Day 3.