Should Chiefs fans believe in the Justyn Ross hype again?

It will be fascinating to see whoever wins the last spot or two on the Kansas City Chiefs' wide receiver depth chart. Seemingly every season for the last few years, it has been a major point of emphasis at the beginning and the end of training camp. Once again in 2024, we have some interesting twists and turns to monitor in that part of the roster.

At this point in training camp, Justyn Ross has begun to stir up some fodder. His recent connections with Patrick Mahomes display a potential chemistry that Kansas City has been missing for years when it comes to the size component, especially in the red zone and near the goal line, Ross has been able to turn some heads there in this year's training camp.

Meanwhile, Kadarius Toney has been banged up yet again, while also receiving reps at running back. Skyy Moore could very well be fighting for his NFL career, let alone making the Chiefs roster this year. With a possible steady finish to training camp and throughout the preseason, Ross could very well stake his claim for one of the final wide receiver spots.

Is it time to buy into the Ross hype again in Kansas City?

Ross is in the mix

Since joining the Chiefs as an undrafted free agent in 2022, the buzz surrounding Justyn Ross has never really stopped. He was able to make some highlight-reel catches in training camp in parts of two years. During last year's preseason, Ross displayed some solid results on the field against opposing teams. This fueled his ability to make the 53-man roster in 2023.

However, the reps rarely ever came when the games mattered. Ross was able to make a contested catch against the Minnesota Vikings in Week 5. Outside of that, the excitement from his training camp and the preseason never translated to a concrete role within a porous wide receiver room. Eventually, off the field and legal issues followed him during the middle portion of last season. He was placed on the Commissioner's Exempt List and received a suspension.

At that point, the hype train appeared to have left Justyn Ross behind, but he has worked his way back into the mix this offseason. It has been an up-and-down training camp for some wide receivers and injuries have played a part. With Ross continuing to win certain reps, his chances are still intriguing, in terms of making the final roster.

What to watch for in preseason games

You are not going to see Justyn Ross secure a role as a returner. Someone else fighting for a final wide receiver spot, Nikko Remigio, is possibly going to work as one of Kansas City's top kick returners. That means Ross will have to win reps solely through the passing game if he is to make the 53-man roster.

What could be worth monitoring from Justyn Ross in the upcoming preseason games? How he wins off of the line of scrimmage and separates will be key. Due to his height and size being a bit of an outlier in the Chiefs' wide receiver room, Ross could win reps by relying on his physical prowess. But if he fails to separate or create a greater throwing window, his chances will take a major hit.

In other areas, Ross may have to prove that he can execute a wide array of routes. There is no shortage of route concepts in Andy Reid's offense. If Ross is someone who only wins on contested catches or vertical shots, there are going to be guys who win the final wide receiver spot or two over him.

Finally, Ross may also be forced to show that he can win consistently. Is he avoiding drops on balls that are easily catchable? Can Ross handle the ball cleanly at the catch point and after the catch? These are all important questions that must be answered as best as possible in the preseason.

Is this Ross's last shot?

Many wide receivers appear to be on the bubble of making the Chiefs for 2024. Generally speaking, all of these names could very well be getting their one last shot with Kansas City. Outside of Justyn Ross, this may include the aforementioned Toney and Moore as well as Mecole Hardman. And if Nikko Remigio canwin a spot and carry some momentum, not all of these guys are going to make the cut.

Ross may have a more limited ceiling than other wide receivers the Chiefs added this offseason. Hollywood Brown and Xavier Worthy are likely going to be counted on the most this season. Rashee Rice comes off a rookie year where he was developed into the team's best wide receiver. However, will a potential suspension for off-the-field conduct eliminate him from some games? Either way, Ross could fill the X-receiver type that Kansas City has been without for a few years.

If he can carry this recent hype from the start of training camp into a real shot, Justyn Ross is an intriguing player who could come through in specific situations. Outside of the red zone, winning on third down or in vertical concepts may be where he is called upon. Can Ross prove that he still deserves another shot in the Chiefs offense?