Kansas City Chiefs Should Start WR Chris Conley
If the Kansas City Chiefs want to take the next step in 2016, Chris Conley must get an opportunity to start at wide receiver.
The Kansas City Chiefs were strong again last season. Led by an elite-level defense and a balanced and productive offense, the Chiefs went 11-5 before bowing out to the New England Patriots in the Divisional Round of the playoffs.
It was a strong season for the Chiefs, but they seem stuck in this area of being a good, but not great team. Always a bridesmaid, but never a bride.
If the Chiefs are going to become true contenders in the AFC, they must get more explosive offensively. That has never really been quarterback Alex Smith‘s game, but he showed a nice ability to hit Jeremy Maclin on the deep ball a handful of times last season.
Related Story: Predicting Chiefs' Starting Offense
Smith is a productive passer who has the ability to carry the Chiefs’ offense to a more explosive unit, but they have yet to reach their potential.
With Smith, Maclin and tight end Travis Kelce, the Chiefs have the makings of a strong passing offense. However, they have not been able to produce on a high level. Smith led the Chiefs to 203.4 passing yards per game last season, the 30th ranking passing offense in the NFL.
I am not saying that they should be among the leaders, but they have too much talent to not be better than that. This team is not reaching their full potential, and I think the lack of production through the air has a lot to do with it.
More from Kansas City Chiefs
- Chiefs undrafted rookie could push first-round pick off the roster
- 2023 NFL Season: Predicting the passing touchdown leaders
- 3 players the Kansas City Chiefs gave up on way too soon
- 2023 NFL Predictions: Every Divisional Winner for the 2023 Season
- 2023 NFL Season: Way too early picks for division winners
That being said, there is a natural improvement to be made in the starting offense to make their passing game more productive. Albert Wilson was solid as the starter opposite of Maclin last season, but second-year receiver Chris Conley should come in and take his spot this season.
Conley is a big and athletic receiver on the outside who shows great ability in both the deep passing game and the ability to make plays after the catch. He is a fast and agile receiver who brings much more upside to the position.
Conley also shows fantastic jump ball skills, making him an especially intriguing target in the red zone.
He entered the NFL last season as a raw and under-developed prospect. Conley was not a strong route-runner and did not appear to have full confidence of Smith and the coaching staff to start the year.
More from NFL Spin Zone
- Dallas Cowboys made the trade everyone else should have made
- Pittsburgh Steelers rookie sleeper everyone should be talking about
- Anthony Richardson putting jaw-dropping talent on display immediately
- Denver Broncos’ stud wide receiver might be out for a while
- Washington Commanders: Three takeaways from win over Ravens
That being said, as the year went along, we started to see more and more of Conley on the field. He even caught a touchdown pass in the Chiefs’ 30-0 victory over the Houston Texans in the AFC Wild Card Playoffs.
Conley is still unlikely to be an elite-level route runner and he will make mistakes on the field at times. That being said, his upside at the position opposite of Maclin could be the missing ingredient in the Chiefs’ offense.
Instead of forcing the ball to Maclin and Kelce over and over again, the Chiefs’ passing attack would be much better off with another true option to get the ball to. With all due respect to Wilson and the other receivers on the roster, Conley should be the guy who is given the opportunity to fill that role.
More nfl spin zone: Complete NFL Power Rankings at End of Offseason
If the Chiefs expect to take the next step and become true contenders, they must be a more explosive team on the offensive side of the ball. Adding Conley to the starting line-up would immediately give them much more offensive upside.