The Kansas City Chiefs are looking for some new faces to step up on offense in the next few years as the team shifts from Patrick Mahomes' first few years in the league to the start of his prime. After trading Tyreek Hill, the Chiefs relied more on Travis Kelce than ever before while backed up by a solid group of productive receivers who formed a committee approach to the WR room.
Within that batch of receivers, however, was the Chiefs' best hope for another top-tier target—one who could come into play after Kelce hangs up his cleats (if ever). While Kelce is still going strong, Kadarius Toney was a first-round target taken at No. 20 overall as recently as 2021 by the New York Giants. And after trading for him before the NFL's trade deadline last season, Toney looks like he's poised for a major year in Kansas City.
Last year, Toney continued to deal with lingering injuries even after coming over from New York for third and sixth-round picks at midseason. But when he was on the field, whether as a receiver or returner, his dynamism was evident from the start. Andy Reid and Patrick Mahomes both realized it as well by forcing Toney to get as many touches as possible even in a limited stretch.
Now with a full offseason to learn more within the Chiefs' offense and to work with the team's trainers on how to stay healthy and gain strength, Toney could really turn a corner in K.C. Pro Football Focus agrees and recently put Toney on their all-breakout team for the 2023 NFL season.
"With all the noise surrounding Toney’s departure from the and his Super Bowl run with the Chiefs, it’s hard to believe he’s entering just his third season in the NFL. Toney wasn’t able to make it work in New York, but he seemed to be more at home in Andy Reid’s offense, as he put up an 80.4 receiving grade in his limited time with the Chiefs."
If Toney is able to turn that corner, the Chiefs will have hit a home run on a minor trade that only set back the club lower picks in exchange for the sort of home-run threat the offense has been lacking since losing Hill. (Of course, no one is complaining about the Chiefs' productivity these days.)
In addition to Toney, another member of the Chiefs appeared on PFF's breakout list in second-year cornerback Trent McDuffie. Just a year ago, the Chiefs traded up in the NFL Draft with the New England Patriots to land McDuffie at No. 21 overall, the greatest investment made at the position since the team selected Marcus Peters back in 2015. In a young secondary where several players should continue to emerge, McDuffie has the highest ceiling of all.
Even on a roster loaded with top-tier veteran talent on both sides of the ball, it's nice to see the Chiefs roster still employing burgeoning stars who can carry the team in the years to come.