With Patrick Mahomes, the Chiefs have the NFL’s best, most accomplished quarterback. They do, however, also own one of the poorest wide receiver corps in the league, which added to Mahomes’ 2023 regular season low. That ought to shout to Kansas City that wide receiver should be a top pick in the ’24 NFL Draft once more.
After leading the league in passing yards (5,250) and passing touchdowns (41), Mahomes won MVP for the second time in 2022, averaging a strong 8.1 yards per attempt. In 2023, those figures dropped to 4,183, 27, and 7.0, respectively, as Mahomes threw a career-high 14 interceptions.
The Chiefs’ subpar pass catchers had a significant role in that. With a league-high 6.9 percent drop rate on their targets, they dropped 44 passes, a league high. The second-worst average depth of target in the league was 6.2 yards. The fact that the Chiefs had 2,670 yards after the catch to lead the league demonstrated how dependent Mahomes has to be on short-to-intermediate targets.
The one bright spot thus far has been rookie Rashee Rice, an SMU second-round selection. Finishing with 79 receptions for 938 yards and a team-high seven touchdown catches, he trailed tight end Travis Kelce. However, the remaining Chiefs wide receivers combined for just 126 catches on 217 targets for 1,473 yards and six touchdowns (a meager 58 percent catch rate). Contrast that with former Chiefs wide receiver Tyreek Hill, who played for the Dolphins in the AFC wild-card playoffs and had 119 catches on 171 targets for 1,799 yards and 13 touchdowns.
In one season without Hill, the Chiefs managed to win Super Bowl 57 and succeed at wide receiver. However, during that time, running back Jerick McKinnon (groin), who is currently on injured reserve, was a far bigger factor in the passing game and Kelce was a more dominant and productive force. Furthermore, Marquez Valdes-Scantling became an ineffectual blip in the offense from a potential outside deep threat.
The Chiefs need more of a rookie infusion, much like the Packers have done in the last two rounds, after the trade for Kadarius Toney and the draft pick for Skyy Moore did not work out. Rice, who frequently filled the big spot (6-1, 204 pounds), was a fair young upgrade over JuJu Smith-Schuster to boost Jordan Love. Here’s looking at the best potential such help for Mahomes in 2024:
Chiefs’ best WR targets in 2024 draft
In 2024, the Chiefs will have six overall draft selections. If they perform as expected from their No. 3 AFC seed and fall short in the divisional stage of the playoffs, their first-round pick appears to be No. 26 overall. They would also rank No. 57 overall in Round 2 and No. 90 overall in Round 3, according to Tankathon. The good news is that during the first two draft nights in Detroit, a lot of wideouts can satisfy them:
First-round targets
Keon Coleman, Florida State (6-4, 215 pounds)
Rome Odunze of Washington and Marvin Harrison Jr. of Ohio State will not be selected by the Chiefs high enough. Malik Nabers of LSU ought to be eliminated in the first round’s top half as well. That would make Coleman the first logical target. His flexible big-play abilities and technically sound receiving would be valued by Mahomes. Coleman also provides the much-needed deft touch.
Adonai Mitchell, Texas (6-4, 196 pounds)
Mitchell is an absolute burner with great size to stretch the field as a deep threat outside, but he can also please Mahomes with his reliable intermediate work.
Troy Franklin, Oregon (6-3, 187 pounds)
In order to give Mahomes a home run hitter and surpass Valdes-Scantling, the early focus is size, speed, and quickness. Franklin also possesses some of Hill’s open-field brilliance.
Second-round targets
Xavier Legette, South Carolina (6-3, 227 pounds)
Legette is one of the players to watch in Mobile workouts this year, while Rice made a splash at the Senior Bowl last year. Legette possesses the necessary stature, quickness, and playmaking ability; it will be crucial for him to demonstrate more reliable hands.
Ladd McConkey, Georgia (6-0, 188 pounds)
Unlike the others, McConkey lacks the straight-up, downfield big-play threat, but his agility and deft hands can make him a valuable asset before and after the catch anywhere else on the field.
Brenden Rice, USC (6-3, 210 pounds)
Similar to Legette and McConkey, Rice hopes to establish a greater reputation for himself at the Senior Bowl. That’s important because he is the son of Jerry Rice, the most famous wide receiver in history. While Mahomes works to play better to his huge frame, Brenden, like his father for Joe Montana and Steve Young, can offer Mahomes exceptional hands, burst, and speed.
Third-round targets
Johnny Wilson, Florida State (6-7, 240 pounds)
Wilson, the Chiefs’ equivalent of Dalton Kincaid this year, would make sense on Day 3 if they also had to worry about replacing tight end should Kelce retire in addition to requiring wide receiver support. Wilson’s stature and pure big-play ability complement Coleman’s hybrid skills.
Tory Horton, Colorado State (6-2, 190 pounds)
It would make sense for the Chiefs to target Horton if they’re searching for a value pick because of his two exceptional traits—the hands that Mahomes wants and his vertical speed.
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