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

Andy Isabella, WR

We’ve discussed the idea of adding Isabella before to the offense via trade from the Arizona Cardinals because it’s been clear almost from the time that he showed up in the desert that he hasn’t truly fit in.

For some reason, the Cardinals have very rarely turned to Isabellas as an offensive playmaker in his first two seasons in the league, despite placing a second-round investment on him in the 2019 NFL Draft. During his rookie year, he played in all 15 games for the Cardinals but managed only 9 catches on 13 total targets (less than one per game).

Last season, Isabella played in 13 games for the Cards and started two of them. He earned 35 targets but caught only 21 of them for 224 yards and 2 touchdowns.

This offseason, the Cardinals imported A.J. Green and drafted Rondale Moore one year after the blockbuster trade for Deandre Hopkins. When you count Christian Kirk among the team’s pass catchers, you’re left with a loaded depth chart on which Isabella has no guaranteed spot.

It hasn’t helped that Isabella has been placed on the team’s COVID list twice this preseason already which means he’s missed plenty of time. That’s why Kliff Kingsbury said this was a “big week” for him as the team’s third preseason game approaches.

With his athletic profile of such size and quickness, Isabella has always profiled as the sort of receiver who thrives in space. The Chiefs already have some of those, but Isabella is another and would give another option for returns as well. if the Chiefs want to peel off some players to focus on solely on offense (Mecole Hardman) or defense (Mike Hughes), the addition of a player like Isabella could be a good fit—that is, if he’s released in the first place.