In our second installment of our series, we take a look at one of the most dire positions of need in KC: the wide receiver position. Who’s available? We discuss.
The Kansas City Chiefs are in need of a new, clear-cut number-one receiver. With a number of talented role players and Travis Kelce, the Chiefs will undoubtedly do their due diligence on this receiving class. So, who’s going to be available in each round of this year’s draft for the Chiefs to select?
As the Chiefs look to build out their wide receiver room, they will likely be looking for a type that they don’t have: a bigger-bodied receiver that can make tough catches over the middle. While that won’t be available for them at every level, you may notice that is a common theme with the receivers that they could take in each round. Here are the options, starting with round one.
Round 1: Jordan Addison, USC
This is an option that you don’t see as often in mock drafts. Jordan Addison is an interesting option for the Chiefs at the end of round one. Addison is both explosive and agile. With elite separation skills, Addison could immediately make an impact on the Chiefs’ passing offense.
Addison has a smaller frame, that might not be able to take as much punishment, which is the biggest reason that he will take a tumble out of the top of the first round. Addison is not overly fast, but his route running could make him a real problem for defenses at the next level.
Round 2: Cedric Tillman, Tennessee
The inverse of Jordan Addison, Cedric Tillman has tremendous size and ball skills. With the ability to adjust to the ball on passes high or low, Tillman might truly become a monster at the NFL level. He is able to take punishment in the middle of the field and fight for the extra yards that are needed in short-yardage situations.
In Kansas City, Tillman could eventually become a true number one. With a skillset similar to that of Tee Higgins, Tillman could be the last missing piece of the passing offense. With a need for a physical receiver, a 2nd round investment would be great for what Tillman could offer.
Round 3: Nathaniel Dell, Houston
In the same category as Jordan Addison, Nathaniel Dell is a smaller receiver with great skills as a route runner. At Houston, Dell was a threat on all levels. He could be a deep threat, catch the ball in the middle of the field, or be a screen technician. He ended up accounting for over 3,000 yards in his career along with 32 touchdowns. As a collegiate athlete, he is about as good as they come.
Dell would fit the mold of what the Chiefs value in a receiver. With similarities to that of Kadarius Toney and Skyy Moore, Dell would be another threat to score at any level. A lot of NFL teams have been at least intrigued by Dell, so it would not be shocking if he was gone before round 3.
Round 4: Jonathan Mingo, Ole Miss
What do you know? Another gigantic, athlete of a wide receiver from Ole Miss. Similar to DK Metcalf and AJ Brown, Jonathan Mingo has a large frame with explosive play-making ability. While Mingo is certainly not on their level, a fourth-round investment would be well worth the risk for Kansas City.
Mingo is quick in and out of his routes and is surprisingly fast in the open field. In Andy Reid’s system, he would be an excellent middle-of-the-field threat. With good strength and power in his lower half, Mingo presents a unique problem for defensive backs. In a receiving room that features a lot of smaller receivers, Mingo would be a welcomed change of pace.
Round 5: Trey Palmer, Nebraska
One of the more intriguing late-round options in this entire draft class is Trey Palmer. While Nebraska has had a rough couple of seasons, they have some seriously talented players on the roster. Palmer is one of those players. If the Chiefs were interested in another receiver with speed, he should be on their radar.
Palmer has jaw-dropping acceleration and he could be one of their best options as a return man. He can stretch the field vertically as well as run by would-be tacklers that have the angle on him. If utilized in the right ways, Palmer might be a steal in the fifth round.
Round 6: Antoine Green, North Carolina
If the Chiefs were looking for a potential replacement for Marquez Valdez-Scantling, they could find him in Antoine Green. As a long-term replacement plan, Green does a lot of the things MVS does well, just with stronger hands. He is quick for a guy his size and has a wide catch radius. Green’s inconsistency is why he is not going earlier.
With a little NFL development and work on his route tree, Green may one day be a legitimate deep threat. In Kansas City, this would be a great investment for a cheaper long-term option.
Round 7: A.T. Perry, Wake Forest
A.T. Perry is a low-risk, high-reward type option. With an enormous wingspan and catch radius, he presents a serious problem for smaller defensive backs. However, he has been inconsistent and struggled with drops throughout his collegiate career. With that in mind, he has the capability to make tough catches and fight for extra yards in the middle of the field as well as catch the ball in the end zone. With the big-bodied receiver being an area of need, Perry could be a great 7th-round pick.