KC Chiefs showcase draft interest in first round wide receivers

The Kansas City Chiefs aren't in the business of tipping their hand. No team in the National Football League is, for that matter. In fact, most rumors floated during the NFL offseason are all about generating smoke or distracting with mirrors.

That's why we're taking things lightly here and telling you to do the same, but Nate Taylor at The Athletic recently checked in following the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis with word that the Chiefs are doing their homework on the second tier of wide receivers in this year's draft class.

In a way, the Chiefs cannot hide all of their potential interests, since all draft research is in the open. It would be irresponsible for a franchise to fail to interview any real prospects it was interested in, so every team is going to broadcast their very real interests in some players. The trick is to mix in some lies to keep other teams (and fans) guessing.

This mystery is why we love the draft so much.

Back to the draft rumors: Taylor says the Chiefs got face time with Brian Thomas Jr., Xavier Worthy, and Troy Franklin during the Combine.

Following the trio of wideouts atop this year's NFL Draft class—Marvin Harrison Jr., Rome Odunze, Malik Nabers—Thomas and company are projected to be the next wave of wide receivers to be taken somewhere after the top 10 draft spots through the end of the first round. Others will join them, but all three should garner interest from many teams looking for another playmaker.

The Chiefs are definitely in such a position as they look to replace what was lost two years ago in the Tyreek Hill trade. Last year, offensive weapons like Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Skyy Moore, and Kadarius Toney failed to produce as hoped, which left the Chiefs in a bind for most of the regular season.

This has been an issue for some time as the Chiefs have chased DeAndre Hopkins and Odell Beckham, Jr. last offseason and were favorites to land Mike Evans if he left Tampa Bay this offseason (before he re-signed a two-year deal to remain with the Bucs). It might just be easier for K.C. to draft a guy and develop him, but that hasn't worked all that well in recent years—save for the exception of Rashee Rice.

If the Chiefs are going to be able to draft a guy like Thomas, they'll likely have to trade up. If they want someone like Franklin or Worthy, they might be able to stay where they are. Either way, it telegraphs a potential intent to land the next big target for Patrick Mahomes in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft.