KC Chiefs: Three biggest positions in need of draft investment
By Matt Conner
Wide receiver
This position was already a major need heading into the offseason, and the Chiefs were expected to take advantage of a deep wideout class. But now things are on another level after the recent trade of Tyreek Hill to the Dolphins.
Travis Kelce is the game’s best tight end and will carry the offense forward without Hill. Meanwhile, JuJu Smith-Schuster was just signed as a No. 2, and Mecole Hardman came on strong last season in his third year in the league. Beyond that, there are plenty of other emerging faces to like (e.g. Jody Fortson) among pass catchers but the Chiefs have great needs even in the face of potential answers.
Just how dire is the need? As for Kelce, he’s climbing into his mid-thirties, so it’s only fair to ask the question of how long he will play even if he’s still as dominant as ever. Hardman and Smith-Schuster are both free agents next spring.
Think of this: the only wide receivers on the books for the Chiefs in 2023 are… Cornell Powell? Chris Finke? The good news is Noah Gray and Jody Fortson are still around at tight end along with Kelce. But yeah, that picture is not pretty. If the Chiefs are able to grab a promising young talent or two on the first or second day of the draft, the Chiefs offense will continue to roll with new faces to get used to.