KC Chiefs: The six most important training camp battles of 2021

6. Wide Receiver No. 2

Names to Watch: Mecole Hardman, Demarcus Robinson, Byron Pringle, Cornell Powell

The Chiefs have two elite pass catching targets in Tyreek Hill and Travis Kelce, but how the wide receiver position shapes up behind Hill this season is still very much to be determined. Mecole Hardman is the biggest “name” of the group, and there has been at least one report that Hardman is in line to take over as KC’s primary second receiver with Sammy Watkins now in Baltimore.

The only problem is that Hardman, while explosive and talented, is definitely not built to play the traditional “X receiver” roll that Watkins played. That is why it was mostly Demarcus Robinson and later in the year, Byron Pringle that played that roll. Will KC still use a traditional X receiver and just try to get Hardman more involved out of the slot? Will Reid revamp his offense to no longer use a traditional X receiver as often?

The answer to those questions may have a lot to do with how those receivers respond in camp. If Robinson or Pringle look like reliable starting caliber targets who can play that outside spot up on the line, they may keep Hardman in the slot and gadget play roll he’s been in the past two seasons. However, if Hardman has a fantastic camp, it may pressure Reid to design more plays that keep Hardman on the field.

The other name to watch is rookie Cornell Powell. He’s physically built strong enough to play the X receiver spot and if neither Robinson or Pringle look like starting caliber material and he steps up in camp, he may play his way into the rotation.

My prediction: While I believe Hardman is the most talented receiver on this team behind Tyreek Hill, I can’t see Reid completely moving away from using a prototypical X receiver all together. While I can see Hardman being second on the team in receptions for wide receivers, I still think he’ll only play 50-60% of the snaps and those other guys will get their chances to play on the outside. I’m just not sure that any of the trio of Robinson, Pringle, or Powell will be good enough to lock up that spot all to themselves, so be prepared for wide receiver by committee this season.

Next up, one of a couple of key offensive line battles.