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Kansas City Chiefs: First Round Wide Receiver is Not a Must

By Dan Schmelzer

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The Kansas City Chiefs could clearly use some talent infusion at the wide receiver position. After not completing a single touchdown pass to the position throughout the entire 2014 season, wide receiver is a huge need that the team must address throughout the upcoming off season.

The Chiefs have already released receivers Donnie Avery and A.J. Jenkins this off season, seemingly setting them up for pretty much an entire overhaul at the position.

With limited salary cap room expected to be available, the Chiefs will unlikely be able to attack the top tier free agents at the position like Randall Cobb and Jeremy Maclin. That being said, potential wide receiver bargains like Michael Crabtree, Cecil Shorts and the recently released Brian Hartline would all make plenty of sense for Kansas City.

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The Chiefs are likely to bring at least one veteran receiver in via free agency this off season, but in order to really overhaul the position, they must add talented receivers in the draft.

Almost every single mock draft on the web has the Chiefs taking a wide receiver in the first round. Given their need, that certainly makes sense on paper, and high upside receivers like Jaelen Strong and Dorial Green-Beckham would be very enticing for the Chiefs at the 18th overall pick.

However, the 2015 draft class is loaded with talented receiver prospects throughout. Obviously, it will depend who is available, but the Chiefs would be wise to look to fill another position in the first round, and land a quality receiver or two later in the draft.

For instance, the Chiefs could really stand to add to their offensive line. 2013 first overall pick Eric Fisher has struggled a bit to handle the left tackle position, and their best offensive lineman, center Rodney Hudson, is an unrestricted free agent.

Guard Zach Fulton has shown some upside, and guys like Jeff Allen, Ryan Harris and Donald Stephenson are nice role players, but the Chiefs would look much better on paper if they were to select an offensive lineman in the first round. If they are to continue to run their offense through running back Jamaal Charles, solidifying the offensive line makes a lot of sense.

Sep 8, 2013; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith (11) yells to the offensive line during the game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at EverBank Field. Mandatory Credit: Rob Foldy-USA TODAY Sports

Offensive line prospects like Andrus Peat, La’el Collins, Ereck Flowers, Cameron Erving and T.J. Clemmings should be under strong consideration for the Chiefs if available at the 18th pick.

While it may not be a massive need, with Derrick Johnson struggling with injuries and getting up there in age, the Chiefs could look to get more youthful at the inside linebacker position in this draft as well. Unlike wide receiver, there are not many potential impact inside linebackers in this draft, and if the Chiefs want to drastically improve the position, they must strike early.

2014 Butkus Award winner Eric Kendricks sticks out as a great fit for the Chiefs’ 3-4 defense. Kendricks is very athletic linebacker who is always around the ball. He has great coverage skills, is solid in the run game and has incredible football IQ.

There are clearly bigger needs on the Chiefs’ roster than middle linebacker, but Kendricks is a perfect fit for their defense, and could immediately make a huge impact. He is certainly somebody for the Chiefs to consider in the first round.

Adding a defensive back could be another option for the Chiefs in the first round. Starting cornerbacks Sean Smith and Marcus Cooper do not exactly strike fear in to opposing wide receivers. The 18th pick could be a sweet spot in the draft for the cornerback position with talented prospects like Trae Waynes, Marcus Peters and Jalen Collins all possibly being available.

Also, with the uncertainty surrounding Eric Berry, strong safety Landon Collins could be a valuable selection for the Chiefs if available.

While it is easy to predict the Chiefs to take a wide receiver in the first round, they could go in many different directions with the pick. Offensive line, linebacker and defensive back could all be more valuable selections in the first round considering the depth at the wide receiver position in this draft.

If the Chiefs do pass up an opportunity to draft a receiver in the first round, they must use the depth at the position to their advantage, and scoop up a talented receiver or two in the later rounds.

Tony Pauline of TFY Draft Insider reported that the Chiefs were showing a lot of interest in a particular projected middle round receiver at the combine. “Word at the combine has the Kansas City Chiefs very high on East Carolina receiver Justin Hardy, which makes perfect sense, Pauline wrote. “Hardy’s route running skills, ability to separate in underneath coverage and dependable hands would fit a hole in the Chiefs’ offense.”

Hardy would certainly make sense for the Chiefs, as quarterback Alex Smith thrives in the short passing game, which is where Hardy does his best work as a receiver. Hardy is projected to go somewhere between the second and fourth round in the draft, and would be a potential bargain for the Chiefs if they are willing to be patient for their receivers.

Other middle to late wide receivers who would certainly make sense for Kansas City include: Devin Smith, Nelson Agholor, Rashad Greene, Devin Funchess, Dezmin Lewis, Tre McBride, Kenny Bell, Ty Montgomery, the list goes on and on.

The Chiefs obviously need to address the wide receiver position this off season, but with so much depth available, taking one in the first round is not necessary. Finding value in the first round of the draft is always preferable over forcing a pick to fill a need.

Next: Mock Draft: A Strong pick for the Chiefs?

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