Many people have been expecting the Kansas City Chiefs to make a wide receiver move. That expectation of a potential move before the upcoming trade deadline has only grown further in recent days. Hollywood Brown and Rashee Rice have now been out for a good bit. Though, JuJu Smith-Schuster is now going to miss the upcoming game against the Las Vegas Raiders due to a hamstring injury. And if you look at the rest of available names on the wide receiver depth chart, there is little experience or belief to rely on for Kansas City's remaining wideouts.
Rookie Xavier Worthy has had some flashes but is still looking to find consistent production. Mecole Hardman just had a solid performance in San Francisco. Though, asking him to carry out regular tasks as a wide receiver, rather than a gadget guy, has been troublesome. Justin Watson has made some plays in his time with Kansas City. He is obviously far from a WR1 status. And as for Skyy Moore, what does he actually bring to the table at this point?
What kind of move could the Chiefs actually make at the trade deadline for a wide receiver? Most fans would love to see Kansas City bring in a star player midway through the season. But in recent history, the less-heralded route has been the path traveled by the Chiefs. If that is the case again, which names make the most sense?
Chiefs Likely To Make Less Splashy Move?
Adam Schefter of ESPN was on The Pat McAfee Show on Monday. Among various topics, Schefter was asked about the Chiefs possibly making a wide receiver move at the trade deadline. Simply put, the words of the NFL insider painted a pretty clear picture.
"I think that they're going to be checking around and asking about wide receivers," Schefter said. "But here's the thing, we could bring up some of these other wide receivers. But, they like to get people who know that system, generally speaking, who Mahomes is comfortable working with..."
He added, "I think in a perfect world, it's somebody like a Demarcus Robinson that knows the system and knows the quarterback, that would fit there and provide some help. It wouldn't be a surprise if they made a move. They'll look into everything, of course, but I think it's more likely that it'll be a less-heralded, more inexpensive, less draft-capital player that they would be getting than some of the big name guys."
Schefter's comments mirror the trade deadline moves that Kansas City has made the last two consecutive seasons with Kadarius Toney and bringing Mecole Hardman back from the New York Jets.
Names That Fit Less-Heralded Category
Reuniting with a familiar face
Obviously, Demarcus Robinson, whom Schefter mentioned on The Pat McAfee Show, fits that less-heralded description perfectly, especially when adding his experience in the system and with Mahomes. Robinson was with the Chiefs from 2016-21, playing his last four years together with Mahomes. As a depth piece, he was a secondary option on numerous playoff runs and helped KC win Super Bowl LIV.
The Chiefs have not been shy about bringing back names who have helped them in the past. If Robinson were to return to Kansas City, he would join others like Hardman, Smith-Schuster, and Kareem Hunt as skill players reuniting for an additional stint in the Chiefs offense. Notably, Robinson is in the last year of his deal with the Rams and would be a free agent this upcoming offseason.
Other WRs who fit the "less-heralded" description
There are other names who the Chiefs could trade for that fit the less-splashy description. All of these names would fall under this category due to their stance around the league and their contract/age.
Let's stick with the Rams real fast. Tutu Atwell is an option that should not be ruled out. At 25 years old and in the last year of his rookie deal, Atwell fits the size and speed thresholds that this Chiefs regime has clung to at wide receiver.
Darius Slayton of the New York Giants has been a name floated around by some Chiefs fans. Slayton is 27 years old and also in the final year of his deal. Slayton has been able to offer adequate production so far this season to a Giants offense that has been largely anemic.
Taking a chance on once-heralded prospects
Elijah Moore is on a Browns team that is in a dark place. Perhaps, he makes a little bit of sense for someone like Kansas City. He is 24 years old and in the last year of his deal with Cleveland. Moore has been up and down at times, yet he has proven moments of winning against man coverage and down the field.
Prospects like Jonathan Mingo and Jalin Hyatt may also make some sense for the Chiefs. General manager Brett Veach has never been shy about taking chances on young players who have not quite shaken out as former top draft picks. Both Mingo and Hyatt are in their second seasons in the NFL and both are 23 years old. Even as former top 75 draft selections, their squads may take any compensation that they could get to help them in the future. Either player would get a fresh start in a more competitive situation.
A look at bigger names at WR for the Chiefs
Even if the Chiefs do go with the less-heralded path with a wide receiver move, there is some noticeable buzz to point towards among big name players. I do not think that it is impossible for Kansas City to still make a move for any of these stars or highly accomplished pieces. Nonetheless, there are both pros and cons to going after a big name guy.
DeAndre Hopkins is a vet on a bad Tennessee Titans team. There have been previous links to Hopkins with Kansas City, especially when he was released by the Arizona Cardinals. The age factor is the big holdup here, given Veach's recent run of trades or free agent signings.
Circling back to the Rams, Cooper Kupp being potentially available has now gained traction. If he is indeed available, would Kansas City be willing to go there with a well-documented injury history in recent seasons?
Finally, Diontae Johnson of the Carolina Panthers would be my personal preference for a wide receiver trade deadline move. I do not think it is out of the question that the Chiefs have some interest here. But with the cap space situation of KC, fitting in the salary is potentially the biggest hurdle. On the bright side, his younger age (28) and separation ability could help make him a tremendous fit for the rest of this season. If you also look to next year and beyond, the Chiefs do not have many wide receivers under contract. Having the chance to extend Johnson would be enticing, to boot.