The franchise tag period for impending NFL free agents has come and gone with the deadline passing Monday afternoon. We saw the Kansas City Chiefs use their franchise tag on left tackle Orlando Brown Jr. who they will likely get a long-term deal done with
Most of us also expect the Kansas City Chiefs to sign a veteran wide receiver this offseason especially with Byron Pringle and DeMarcus Robinson being free agents. In addition, Tony Pauline of ProFootballNetwork.com has reported that Patrick Mahomes has voiced his desire for the Chiefs to bring in a veteran wide receiver.
However, the free agent wide receiver market got a little bit lighter than many of us anticipated when some notable names including a few that were linked to the Chiefs came off the board. Green Bay Packers wide receiver Davantae Adams was franchise tagged earlier today as well as Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Chris Godwin. Another player that was connected to Kansas City was Los Angeles Chargers receiver Mike Williams who ended up signing an extension that will pay him at least $20 million per year.
JuJu Smith-Schuster should be the goal for KC Chiefs
With all of that being said, the Chiefs will need to jump on a receiver rather quickly with a lot of needy teams out there looking for more weapons. Luckily, JuJu Smith-Schuster will still be a free agent and earlier reports seem to indicate that there's mutual interest between the Chiefs and Smith-Schuster and that Smith-Schuster "hopes" to be a Chief according to Profootballnetwork.com's Aaron Wilson.
For those that don't remember, Smith-Schuster almost signed with Kansas City last year but opted for one more year with Pittsburgh to try and boost his stock. It didn't work out. Smith-Schuster only played in 5 games before sustaining a shoulder injury and had just over 100 yards receiving before going down.
Now both sides have a chance to circle back and it's hard to imagine Smith-Schuster would make the same mistake twice. Smith-Schuster would be the perfect fit for Kansas City as well given he should be relatively cheap after doing nothing on his one-year deal which will allow the Chiefs flexibility while also filling a need at No. 2 wide receiver.
Smith-Schuster's ability to be versatile and play multiple receiver spots as well as his contrast in frame to other Chiefs receiver gives them a threat they didn't have before. The Chiefs simply didn't have a third playmaker that could take advantage consistently and really draw attention. Smith-Schuster could be that missing piece.
Sure, his production hasn't been the same since Antonio Brown's departure from Pittsburgh but that's completely fine. That just means he isn't a No. 1 wide receiver and that's not what he would be here. He would get to play behind Tyreek Hill and Travis Kelce and see single coverage. There's also plenty of targets to go around despite what people say. Pringle and Robinson combined for over 100 targets last season so there are opportunities still available in this offense.
It's important the Chiefs strengthen what they have at the skill positions to help take some of the beating off Hill and Kelce as they get older, too and we see what having loads of playmakers like Cincinnati and Los Angeles who faced off in the Super Bowl can do for you.
At this point, Smith-Schuster appears to be a no-brainer for both sides and the Chiefs would be smart to get something done rather quickly with Smith-Schuster. He should be the goal when addressing wide receiver in free agency.
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