Three potential cuts for K.C. Chiefs to watch on roster bubbles

J.J. Arcega-Whiteside, WR

If you talk to most Philadelphia Eagles fans about the potential for J.J. Arcega-Whiteside, you’ll likely hear some profane murmuring or at least get an eye roll. To date, the former second round pick hasn’t lived up to his draft billing, leaving the team devoid of help at a position of need for quite some time.

This season, the Eagles decided to force the issue in the draft by investing their top pick on DeVonta Smith with the goal of landing an elite wideout to sit atop the depth chart for the next half-decade. Next to him, the Eagles presently also have Jalen Reagor, Greg Ward, and Travis Fulgham. Given the presence of Quez Watkins and others, it might be difficult for the Eagles to even stomach the idea of bringing Arcega-Whiteside along for another ride.

At this point, Arcega-Whiteside is either going to benefit from the new coaching regime in place (Nick Sirianni) as a blank slate and new offense within which he can try to change or he will perish because of a new head coach having zero ties to the pick.

If the team sours enough on Arcega-Whiteside to drop him, it will be interesting to see who pounces on him as a potential waiver claim. Teams who submit claims will be showing a historic bit of their draft boards as to how they viewed him coming out of Stanford.

Scouts were initially mixed on the pro potential of Arcega-Whiteside who fits the profile in stature of a strong physical receiver at 225 lbs. He earned comparisons in a best-case scenario to Eric Decker as the sort of big body who is a nice red zone target able to make contested catches when needed. If that sounds like a nice X receiver for Andy Reid’s offense, it could be—at least on paper.

The only way Arcega-Whiteside would be interesting to Veach would be if it scratches that change-of-scenery itch that’s led him to trade for or sign the likes of Cameron Erving, Mike Hughes, Deandre Baker, and Reggie Ragland over the last few years. If the Chiefs liked JJAW coming out of college, then it might be worth a flyer. That said, this team is already so deep that you have to question if there’s room for such a flyer, at least right now?

Wide receiver is hardly a loaded position on the Chiefs, but Arcega-Whiteside is not a clear upgrade. They’d be likely trading one question for another. This only happens if scouting reports were overly positive about his pro potential.