The Kansas City Chiefs Win, but an Overhaul of the Pass-Catching Corps is More Neccesary Than Ever
Foxborough, Massachusetts (PSF) — The Kansas City Chiefs, no thanks to their Wide-Receivers, defeated the New England Patriots 27-17.
However, the win was not the important takeaway from this game. What the Chiefs front office will likely take away from this game is that this Wide Receiving core is doing a disservice to the prime years of the greatest Quarterback in their franchise’s history. To add fuel to the fire, it wasn’t just one Wide Receiver that struggled. Constant with the entire season, it was multiple mistakes from multiple receivers than stalled the Chiefs’ momentum, facilitated a turnover, or dropped a pass, and at times, all three of these happened at once.
As of last week, the Chiefs led the NFL will 34 dropped passes. They had another handful of drops today, along with three turnover-worthy plays.
Patrick Mahomes’s first interception was not his best throw, but hit third-string Tight End Blake Bell in his hands and was ripped away by Patriots Defensive Back Marte Mapu. Having him run routes for Mahomes is not a recipe for success.
Next, Skyy Moore had a backbreaking fumble that was negated by an extremely questionable penalty. One of two receivers under heavy criticism from Chiefs fans, the former 2022 2nd-round pick has been an immense disappointment since being selected. A supposed yards after the catch machine with elite speed, his troubles getting open and securing catchable balls have likely factored into his lack of playing time.
Nonetheless, the shaky ball security, whether it is catching passes or holding onto the football after the catch, the Chiefs Wide Receivers have been prone to creating turnover-worthy plays; and none have been more prone to this than Kadarius Toney.
The latest addition to the Kadarus Toney 2023 lowlight reel, littered with thing such as easy drops and obvious offsides penalties in critical spots, was another awful drop and bobble that led to Patrick Mahomes’s second interception:
Coming into the season, Toney was widely considered a breakout candidate. In an efficient offense, with future Hall of Fame Tight End Travis Kelce attracting double teams and extra attention, many believed Toney’s shiftiness and speed would add another dimension to this offense.
Toney has indeed added an extra element: but a negative one, in the form of costly mistakes that hurt the team, as well as Patrick Mahomes’s box score.
Patriots Linebacker Jahlani Tavai (44) intercepts Patrick Mahomes off the drop from Wide Receiver Kadarius Toney — Photo Credit: Eric J. Adler/New England Patriots
Mahomes was understandably frustrated after the brutal drop. He had every right to be. This receiving corps, whether it’s Toney, Skyy Moore, the third-string tight end, or others, they have repeatedly failed him over and over.
Clyde Edwards-Helaire, their starting running back, was the Chiefs’ second-leading receiver today with 4/64. Kansas City will surely take the production, but those circumstances are not ideal. Mahomes’s trust in his Wide Receiver corps is clearly waning.
Although Marquez-Valdes Scantling was mistake-free today, he still only had 1 catch for 17 yards. He has been in the spotlight due to a brutal drop as well, only has 295 total yards on the season. He has barely caught over 50% of his targets,
Richie James, primarily a kick/punt returner, got some snaps to try and create some offensive playmaking on the outside. Instead, he had a bad drop today. Counting today’s 1 catch, he has 4 catches on the season and 2 drops.
Justin Watson has been relatively consistent, he still has struggled with his fair share of mistakes, both with drops and mentally by running incorrect routes. Andy Reid has gotten on him more than a few times this season.
There have been some bright spots in the receiving room, but they have been few and far between. Travis Kelce has been his usual, reliable, always-open self (80/896/5), and will continue to be Mahomes’s favorite target.
Second-round Rookie Rashee Rice has been fantastic this season. A fluid route runner with great athleticism, he has hauled in 59 catches for 663 yards and 6 touchdowns. Although he has struggled with drops (8), catching technique can be worked on and improved, and he is still only 23 years old. He has plenty of time to improve.
Jerick McKinnon continues to be a nice safety blanket for Mahomes in the flats and on the goal-line as a receiver. He is as reliable as they come as a pass-catching running back and is extremely shifty.
However, evident by the Chiefs’ offensive struggles this season, this is not enough. They need to add more; and it must happen this offseason as the number-1 priority.
The Chiefs are slotted in as the #25 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft’s first round. That will be too late to grab an elite receiver such as LSU’s Malik Nabers, Washington’s Rome Odunzie, or even Florida State’s Keon Coleman. It would likely be beneficial to them to be aggressive and move up into the top-12 for Nabers or Odunzie, or into the top-18 for a shot at Keon Coleman.
Kansas City desperately needs someone who they can rely on for some sort of big play ability. While Toney and Moore can, in-theory, provide that, their mental mistakes and technical shortcomings too often offset their potential to make those big plays. Thus, they must take a shot with someone more talented than them, and move up in the draft, if this is the route they choose to go.
They also could turn to free-agency. Armed with about $30.5 million in cap-space come 2024, the star-studded 2024 Wide Receiver free agency class that includes Mike Evans, Michael Pittman Jr., Tee Higgins, Calvin Ridley, Gabe Davis, and Marquise Brown could provide one, or even multiple solutions.
With Rashee Rice’s dynamic playmaking and Travis Kelce’s dominance over the middle of the field and in the red zone, they could use a chain mover that can consistently get open. The top four of the class — Evans, Pitman, Ridley, and Higgins all would be great adds. They should (and likely will) aggressively pursue one or two of these top receivers to help open up the offense for Patrick Mahomes.
The Chiefs still sit at 9-5, even with the struggles of their pass catcher. But as they trot out their franchise Quarterback in his prime, they cannot afford to waste any years. Upgrades must be made as soon as this season is over.
