With Watkins being signed to Baltimore, what should the Chiefs do to fill the hole at WR2?
Hello again everyone and welcome to another week of the ArrowChop! This week is a bit different in format, but usually, this is the column where we look at the positives/negatives of a certain Chiefs/NFL issue and look at both sides of the aisle. Then you, the readers, will come to your conclusions after I lay out the case. So sit back, relax, and enjoy as we breakdown this week’s hot topic.
Sammy Watkins, the Chiefs former WR2, has been picked up by the Baltimore Ravens for a one-year, $6 million deal. No matter what you think needs to fill first, there is a definite need for a WR2 that can replace Watkins’ absence. There are still many free agents wide receivers waiting to be signed, and there are many intriguing WR prospects in this draft as well; this receiver draft class is loaded with talent. There is also the option of bringing someone up from the roster to take this position likeHardman or Pringle.
With that said, should the Chiefs sign someone, draft an intriguing WR prospect, or bring Hardman or Pringle up from the depth chart to grasp that spot. Let’s break down all sides of the aisle to find out:
The Chiefs should look at free agency
The first option the Chiefs could gander at is to sign a receiver in free agency. The Chiefs still have a motherload of cap to work with; around $16.6 million to be exact. With this money left, they can still sign a WR2 with ease even with the loss of Watkins. These players include but are not limited to Golden Tate and Antonio Brown.
Tate only started three games last season, but when he plays a full season, he can produce 800 to 1,000+ yards seasons; he’s done so five times in his career. He’s a bit on the downside due to his age and injuries, but this means the Chiefs could pick him up for cheap.
Brown has had his fair share of problems in the past, but it seems as though they’re all fixed; he had a great showing in the latter half of the regular season (in eight games and four games starting he had over 450+ receiving yards and four touchdowns), and he had a decent playoff run as well, hauling in two touchdown passes.
The Chiefs could create a great paying contract for him with the money they still have available, especially if it’s for a one-year deal. He could work well with Mahomes and that offense, and it seems as though he wouldn’t mind being a third-option with Kelce and Hill being the one and two.
The Chiefs should draft someone
However, not a lot of receivers want to be the third option to Hill and Kelce, so that’s why receivers like Juju and Reynolds chose to stay home or go to other teams due to this. They want their fair share of reps, and a team loaded with talent can limit that adversely. Plus, the WR free-agent class doesn’t have as much talent as it did last week. The second option would be for the Chiefs is to draft a receiver.
While the Chiefs are highly probable to take an offensive lineman in the first round, the Chiefs still have a nice third-round pick to use for a receiver. Sage Surratt could be that pick as he can fall into KC’s lap as he’s expected to be a late third-round pick. Surratt is physical in every aspect of the game, he can hall in almost any ball thrown his way, and his route-running is one of the best in this class. He could work with Mahomes and company.
Amon-Ra St. Brown is another prospect that could be good for them to draft. He has great athleticism, and his height gives him an advantage in jump-ball situations. Of course, some of his skill-set needs to be worked around to advance at the NFL level, but he could be a stud given the tools.
The Chiefs should bring Hardman or Pringle up
The final option the Chiefs could do is bring up Pringle or Hardman. Hardman’s production has been average; totaling 560 yards on 41 catches last season for four touchdowns. While that may be true, if he’s placed as the second wideout, he would be another threat that could burn corners like Hill as they are both speed demons; no one can deny that. His drops may be a bit of an issue, but if he can clean that up this offseason, he could be stellar.
Pringle could be another valiant option for the Chiefs as well. He did show that he has the ability to start at the NFL level after catching four passes for 52 yards with a touchdown tacked onto it. While he isn’t as fast as Hardman, he can make contested catches that Hardman has had difficulty achieving, and he has prowess in his route running. He has excellent mobility as well.
If this is the option the Chiefs lean on, the battle would come down to the last day of training camp to see be the WR2.
What do you think the Chiefs’ front office should do? Leave a comment down below to join the discussion, and be sure to follow me on Twitter @HunterStanton8 and @ArrowheadLive. Thanks for reading, and have a fantastic day.
