Kansas City Chiefs getting good look at retooled wide receiver corps during OTAs

Megastar quarterback Patrick Mahomes is a identified commodity within the Chiefs’ offense.

Precisely who Mahomes finally ends up throwing to at extensive receiver this fall, although, is a wholly completely different matter.

Except for veteran holdover Mecole Hardman, a number of items to the extensive receiver puzzle have but to be put collectively because the Chiefs search to exchange Tyreek Hill, who was traded to the Miami Dolphins in March.

“In case you’re on this enterprise lengthy sufficient, change is inevitable, it occurs,” Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy mentioned Thursday. “You possibly can at all times substitute the participant, however you’ll be able to’t substitute the particular person. Tyreek was beloved; he’ll be missed.

“However now it’s time for us to verify we’re growing the folks that we have now and getting them to do the issues that we want. I assumed (normal supervisor Brett) Veach and his workers did a hell of a job of choosing the blokes that we introduced in.”

Gone from the 2021 regular-season roster are extensive receivers Hill, Byron Pringle, Demarcus Robinson and Marcus Kemp. Pringle signed with the Chicago Bears throughout free company, Robinson joined the Las Vegas Raiders, whereas Kemp stays an unrestricted free agent.

Hardman returns together with Josh Gordon and Daurice Fountain, each of whom had stints on the lively 53-player roster and observe squad in 2021. Cornell Powell, the Chiefs’ fifth-round choose within the 2021 NFL Draft, can be again after spending final season on the observe squad.

As for the remainder of the place group, which presently boasts 13 gamers by way of two weeks of organized actions (OTAs), the Chiefs have loads of competitors.

In are JuJu Smith-Schuster, Marquez Valdes-Scantling, second-round choose Skyy Moore and a set of veteran gamers signed to order/future offers or as free brokers, together with Corey Coleman, Justin Watson, Gary Jennings, Matthew Sexton and Omar Bayless. The Chiefs furthered bolstered the extensive receiver group by signing Justyn Ross as an undrafted free agent.

“All of them deliver one thing completely different to the desk and that’s the distinctive half about it,” Bieniemy mentioned. “I feel there’s going to be lots of variety as a result of all people presents one thing completely different, so it’s going to be new. It’s going to be thrilling.”

Hardman, who enters the ultimate yr of his contract, will possible get the primary probability on the No. 1 extensive receiver spot. He is aware of the system and has performed in Hill’s shadow over the previous three years, a span the place Hardman totaled 126 catches for 1,791 yards and 12 touchdowns.

The Chiefs pursued Smith-Schuster throughout free company in 2021 earlier than he elected to return to the Pittsburgh Steelers, however Kansas Metropolis lastly secured him on a one-year deal in March. The 6-foot-1, 215-pound Smith-Schuster arrives with confirmed manufacturing, amassing 323 catches for 3,855 yards and 26 touchdowns in 5 seasons with the Steelers.

Then, the Chiefs signed Valdes-Scantling to a three-year deal a day after buying and selling Hill. With the 6-foot-4, 206-pound Valdes-Scantling, the Chiefs have a participant who produced 123 catches for two,153 yards and 13 touchdowns in 4 seasons with the Inexperienced Bay Packers.

Hardman, who’s presently coping with a hamstring harm, Smith-Schuster and Valdes-Scantling mission as the highest trio among the many extensive receiver group. Moore, who additionally has a hamstring harm, will get his alternatives to point out why he’s a second-round choose as soon as he’s wholesome.

However in terms of clearly outlined roles and even the fifth and doubtlessly sixth extensive receiver to spherical out the preliminary 53-player roster, the guessing sport is really on.

By no means concern as a result of that’s what OTAs, the upcoming three-day obligatory minicamp and subsequent month’s coaching camp are for.

“We’re nonetheless making an attempt to determine that out as we go and let these guys type of dictate type of the place we go along with it versus saying, ‘You’re (No.) 1, 2 and three and that is what you are able to do,’” Chiefs extensive receiver coach Joe Bleymaier mentioned Thursday. “We wish them to point out us and showcase their talents.

“And as they develop and get snug with our quarterback, with our offense, with the roles they’ve carved out, then we are able to slim down methods to assault a protection or sport plan for a selected opponent. However proper now, it’s type of all people feeling it out and writing their very own story.”

To date, so good for the Chiefs’ retooled extensive receiver group.

“I’ve seen a reasonably proficient group,” Bieniemy mentioned. “We acquired lots of guys on the market who can do lots of various things.”