Wide Receiver
Depending on who you asked, the Chiefs either had a really good wide receiver room or an underwhelming one in 2022. I lean somewhere in the middle as they had several solid players, such as JuJu Smith-Schuster, Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Kadarius Toney, Mecole Hardman, Justin Watson, and Skyy Moore. The problem was they lacked a true #1 option after trading away Tyreek Hill. If they swapped out Smith-Schuster for a bona fide #1 wide receiver, then their wide receiver depth chart suddenly looks amazing. They have the depth players for a great wide receiver unit but lack a true game-wrecker.
Kadarius Toney has a chance to be a true #1 receiver, but he’s had injury concerns and is not yet established. Some fans, for whatever reason, believe Justyn Ross has an opportunity to be great but that’s highly unlikely.
One problem for the Chiefs is that this is a terrible year to need a top-end wide receiver. The best free agent at the position is JuJu Smith-Schuster, and the wide receiver draft class isn’t exactly amazing and lacks the depth of high-end players. If they were to acquire one, they would either have to make a trade and then sign a huge extension or get really lucky in the draft and find a day-one contributor.
They could use a deep threat as MVS is inconsistent and Justin Watson is not the answer. Kadarius Toney has the chance to be that player, but his injuries are concerning.
I wouldn’t blame the team if they didn’t make any significant moves at wide receiver this offseason, outside of re-signing JuJu Smith-Schuster. There are players I love in the draft, such as Zay Flowers, but relying on the draft to find immediate starters is a dangerous game when a team is picking as late as they are.
If the Chiefs could land a true top-end wide receiver, it would be invaluable for obvious reasons, but it would also help since Travis Kelce is closer to the end of his career than the start. The Chiefs can never have too many weapons for Patrick Mahomes.