Kansas City Chiefs: Fred Williams Must Make 53-Man Roster

By Dan Schmelzer | Sep 2, 2015

Make no mistake, the Kansas City Chiefs receiving core struggled last season. Led by Dwayne Bowe and Donnie Avery, the Chiefs wide receivers were not able to get open with any sort of consistency for quarterback Alex Smith.

The Chiefs cut bait with both Bowe and Avery this off season, and now the core is led by Jeremy Maclin, who is a much-more competent number one wide receiver. Maclin is great, and him reuniting with Chiefs’ head coach Andy Reid this season is an exciting situation for the Chiefs’ offense. However, the depth behind Maclin at the position is still lacking.

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The battle to start opposite of Maclin as the number two wide receiver is primarily between Albert Wilson and third-round rookie Chris Conley. After his impressive play late last season, Wilson appeared to be the favorite heading into the preseason. However, a recent shoulder injury for Wilson may open the door for Conley here down the stretch.

Regardless, Wilson and Conley are going to join Maclin on the 53-man roster to start the season. De’Anthony Thomas is also a lock at the position, and veteran Jason Avant is very likely to make the cut as well. That makes five wide receivers who are very likely to make the opening game roster. At most, there are two spots open at the position, but the team carrying only six wide receivers may be more likely.

With the Chiefs recently releasing Junior Hemingway, that last WR spot (which could turn into two spots) is going to come down to a decision between Frankie Hammond, Da’Ron Brown and preseason star Fred Williams. Based on his play in recent weeks, I am hugely in favor of Williams making the roster over the other candidates.

Aug 15, 2015; Glendale, AZ, USA; Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Fred Williams (83) celebrates a 13 yard touchdown during the first half against the Arizona Cardinals in a preseason NFL football game at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports

With Brown not showing as much as Williams, and being a strong candidate for the practice squad, if the Chiefs only keep six receivers, I expect them to choose between Hammond and Williams. Hammond played some snaps for the offense last season while Bowe was out, and he has been a special teams contributor in the past.

That being said, Hammond has never shown much on the field. Sure, he is the more established player, but putting the better player on the field should always be the primary goal. Based on his play this preseason, Williams is undoubtedly the better player.

In his first career NFL action Williams, a former Arena Football League star, shined brightly. In the Chiefs’ preseason opener against the Arizona Cardinals, Williams brought in six receptions for 82 yards and one touchdown.

He was less involved in the Chiefs’ game plan the next week against the Seattle Seahawks, but he broke back out in the dress rehearsal last week against the Tennessee Titans, finishing with five receptions for 62 yards and two touchdowns.

Williams does not have any NFL experience outside of those three games, but he is proving his worth on the field. He is a smooth runner with good, but not great speed, and has an extremely reliable set of hands. Arguably the biggest issue with the Chiefs’ receiving core last season, was their complete inability to get open. Williams appears to have a knack to find the open spot on the field no matter where it is at.

He has shown deep threat abilities this preseason, while also excelling in both the short and intermediate passing game. We have all been burned by preseason darlings in the past, but Williams’ smooth and consistent style of play passes the eye test for me.

I am not saying he is going to come out and immediately become a star, but Fred Williams looks like a legitimate NFL talent to my eyes. When it comes down to it, he would bring nice depth to the position, and could step in if needed. With both Wilson and Conley dealing with injuries throughout the preseason, having quality depth at the position is a must for the Chiefs’ already less than impressive WR core.

Hammond is a nice player, but to be honest his skill-set is average at best at this level. He is easily replaceable if needed. Williams however appears to have the talent and upside to make a legitimate difference on this team. The choice is obvious, Fred Williams needs to be on the Chiefs’ opening week 53-man roster.

Next: Who Starts for Chiefs at WR Opposite of Jeremy Maclin?

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