The Kansas City Chiefs are desperate for a wide receiver this offseason for reasons we've state over and over again. Well, they might not be desperate, but they should be. Mecole Hardman hasn't progressed all that great and while Byron Pringle is a good story, he just can't be in the conversation for WR2 for a team that wants to contend for a Super Bowl. As of right now, if Tyreek Hill were to get hurt, you're top three receivers are Byron Pringle, Mecole Hardman, and Antonio Callaway? That's not great depth.
That being said, the Chiefs created all this cap space and they originally did it to try and sign Trent Williams but it didn't happen. Since it didn't happen, what's stopping the Chiefs from still getting a big name at a position of need? The wide receiver market has been really slow and is just screaming for the Chiefs to jump in. Many will point out that the Chiefs still have the draft to address wide receiver but is that enough? Relying on a rookie could be dangerous if you don't also add a veteran. Also, the Chiefs still have several other needs on the team still such as defensive line, defensive back, and left tackle in addition to wide receiver. Assuming all of those could be addressed in the draft is unrealistic. Not every one of their picks is going to pan out. That's just reality. With that in mind, the Chiefs should go all-in on the best receiver still on the market in JuJu Smith-Schuster.
Now, many may have concerns about Smith-Schuster because he was a notorious distraction for Pittsburg last season with his "tik-tok" antics that made him a target for defenders all season long. However, if that's his biggest concern as a player then that's fine. The Tik-Tok stuff will be handled internally but it will not fly with Mahomes and Reid. Secondly, Smith-Schuster has declined some since Anotnio Brown left Pittsburgh and many believe Smith-Schuster was the product of the stars around him and he isn't a No.1 guy. Either way, he wouldn't be a No.1 guy on the Chiefs.
Truth be told, Smith-Schuster is the perfect fit for the Chiefs offense. He can do everything Sammy Watkins did such as winning over the middle and being a good blocking receiver but he's much more reliable. In four seasons with the Steelers, Smith-Schuster has recorded 308 receptions for 3,726 yards and 26 TD's. Those are very impressive numbers for what would be a No.2 receiver on the Chiefs. Smith-Schuster also has pretty good size at 6'1", 215 lbs which makes him a good red zone target as well.
Like we mentioned, Tyreek Hill can't do it all by himself and a compliment like Smith-Schuster would make the Chiefs unstoppable. Even though we said Smith-Schuster isn't a great Wr1, he can still play it in a pinch and has proven to be productive in that role. Adding a receiver like him would fill a need and then the Chiefs can do the rest of their work in the draft. The Chiefs still have around $25 million in cap space so it isn't unreasonable to think they can get something done. Brett Veach should get on the phone immediately to see what it would take to get Smith-Schuster in Kansas City.
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