The most important storylines from Kansas City Chiefs training camp
By Jacob Milham
Which wide receivers will cement their roster spot?
The Chiefs lacked a true WR2 option in 2021. Sure, the group of Byron Pringle, Mecole Hardman, and Demarcus Robinson combined for some production, but none were consistent. The offense’s dependence on one of Tyreek Hill or Travis Kelce getting open every play was Kansas City’s downfall during the 2021 season. Veach saw this lacking depth and almost overcompensated in the offseason, despite trading away Hill.
The Chiefs have four wide receivers who are near-locks to make the roster. Juju Smith-Schuster, Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Hardman, and rookie Skyy Moore will be the most important members of the wide receiver room. In recent years, the Chiefs break camp with five or six wide receivers. In 2022, Kansas City leaving St. Joseph with less than six wide receivers on the 53-man roster would be astounding. The question remains though, who will be WR5 and WR6?
Now, any player that low on the depth chart is just that: depth. They are contributors on special teams and rarely see offensive targets, like Daurice Fountain or Marcus Kemp. The requirement of contributing to the special teams unit can certainly hurt or help a player’s case for the roster. Fountain made 2021’s initial 53-man roster over others, like Cornell Powell and Antonio Callaway, for that very reason.
31-year-old veteran Josh Gordon is not going to play special teams. He only has five special teams snaps in his entire career. Plus, undrafted free agent rookie Justyn Ross may have untapped receiving potential, but his scary injury history could prevent his special teams impact. Their lacking versatility opens the door for others, like Justin Watson and Fountain. If a younger receiver stands out in camp, then starts running with starting special teams units, read into it.
The certain roster battle will be very fun for fans though. There are several young players that could succeed in a Chiefs uniform, and all have their own story. How will Powell, a player Kansas City drafted in 2021, react after not making last year’s team? Will head coach Andy Reid focus on offensive weapon Jerrion Ealy, or will Ealy remain a roster longshot? Can Gordon hold off other receivers for one more chance in Kansas City? The questions run amok before training camp. All competing against each other will give fans in St. Joseph a show.