No. 1 wide receiver
Among Chiefs fans, wide receiver and left tackle are likely the biggest concerns on the entire roster. Personally, I have a more positive outlook on the wide receiver group as a whole compared to most fans. They possess a diverse range of skills, sizes, and youth. Kadarius Toney, Skyy Moore, and Rashee Rice are all young and talented, while Marquez Valdes-Scantling and Justin Watson bring speed and deep-threat ability to Kansas City’s offense.
While the Chiefs’ wide receiver room is not lacking talent, they still miss having a true #1 wideout like Tyreek Hill, whom they obviously traded last offseason. In reality, Travis Kelce acts as the de facto #1 receiver for the offense. Despite being a tight end, his consistent production of 1,100+ receiving yards each season diminishes the urgency for a traditional #1 wide receiver. However, Kelce is aging, and his remaining time as a dominant weapon in the NFL may be limited. If he, unfortunately, experiences a decline in 2023, it will place significant pressure on the wide receivers to step up.
Considering the presence of Kelce, I don’t see the absence of an established true No. 1 wide receiver as a major obstacle to the Chiefs’ chances of repeating as Super Bowl champions. However, acquiring one would certainly facilitate another championship run. There is a strong belief within the team in the potential of Kadarius Toney to fill that role. Skyy Moore may also make significant strides in the coming years, although it is unlikely to happen in 2023.
Can the Chiefs win the Super Bowl without a top-end wide receiver? Absolutely, as they accomplished that last season. However, adding a No. 1 wideout or witnessing a younger player stepping up would undoubtedly make the path to playoff success much smoother.