Kansas City Chiefs: Full Position Breakdown and Depth-Chart Analysis at WR
It goes without saying that the wide receiver position is the biggest area that needs improvement for the Kansas City Chiefs. The stat of zero touchdown passes to a wide receiver in 2014 speaks for itself.
Kansas City's last touchdown pass to a wide receiver came on Dec. 29, 2013, in Week 17 against the San Diego Chargers when Chase Daniel connected with Dexter McCluster for a two-yard touchdown pass.
The Chiefs cleaned house with their starting receivers, letting go of Dwayne Bowe and Donnie Avery, the two primary wideouts the past two seasons in Kansas City.
With a new No. 1 receiver and the No. 2 wide receiver spot up for grabs, Alex Smith seeks to have better success in the passing game as the Chiefs look to operate a three-dimensional offense in 2015.
Here are the current wideouts for the Chiefs, what they bring to the table and what role they will play in 2015 if they make the team.
Jeremy Maclin
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It was highly anticipated that the Chiefs and Maclin would work out a deal, given Maclin's past with coach Andy Reid in Philadelphia.
Now that Maclin is in Kansas City, the Chiefs have some threats to work with in the passing game. Smith benefited working with Jamaal Charles through the air the past two years and Travis Kelce last season, who rose when the wide receivers did not step up.
With Maclin on board, Smith has another reliable target to work with.
With Maclin's speed, he joins an already speedy offense. He can outrun defensive backs and gain plenty of yards on a short pass to help move the chains and inch closer to the end zone.
Although Dwayne Bowe was statistically one of the best wide receivers in Chiefs history, Maclin feels like a true and viable No. 1 wideout, something the Chiefs have not had in a long time.
The 2014 season was a breakout year for Maclin as he registered single-season career highs in receptions (85), yards (1,318) and touchdowns (10) in his final year with the Eagles. As a former Missouri Tiger, he is already one of the fan favorites in Kansas City.
Jason Avant
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Like Maclin, Jason Avant also has a positive history with Reid in Philadelphia and joined the Chiefs midway through the 2014 season after the Carolina Panthers released him.
Having both Maclin and Avant is key for two reasons.
First, the Chiefs have two veterans who have a lot of familiarity with Reid's style of offense. Both players will have a full offseason to work with Smith, giving them the opportunity to jell through OTAs, minicamp and training camp.
Another benefit is that they can mentor a lot of the young receivers who are learning and trying to get a grasp of Reid's offense.
As for Avant, he has never been a dominant receiver in the NFL. Nevertheless, he can help Smith and the team through the air.
Albert Wilson
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Albert Wilson was an undrafted rookie last year. His rookie campaign was very quiet until late in the season when he helped the offense.
During a three-game stretch in December, he caught 12 passes for 209 yards.
He possesses great speed and may be one of the fastest players on the team. But the Chiefs need him to show consistency as a complete receiver.
It is doubtful he kicks off the season as a starter, but if he progresses, he could take over the No. 2 spot before the regular season concludes.
If he improves on his route running and can build an on-field chemistry with Smith, Wilson could be a good receiver.
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De'Anthony Thomas
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De'Anthony Thomas is a player that a lot of Chiefs fans were excited about when the team selected him in the 2014 draft. As a rookie, he contributed as a running back and receiver while shining as a punt returner.
Thomas will continue to handle punt-return duties and see some time as running back while he looks to do more as a wideout for 2015. Throughout OTAs, he has lined up as a halfback but got more reps at wide receiver than he did at last year's OTAs.
After missing the first four games with injury, Thomas scored a rushing touchdown against the 49ers on his first career touch, but that was the only time he saw the end zone as an offensive player.
As a pass-catcher lining up as a receiver and in the backfield, Thomas caught 23 passes for 156 yards.
Like Wilson, Thomas also has tremendous speed and looks to become a complete receiver. The Chiefs drafted him to replace the departed Dexter McCluster last year.
Thomas hopes to avoid injury and be available for all 16 games, which would allow him to spend more time working on his craft and honing his skills as a receiver this year.
Chris Conley
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The Chiefs traded up four spots to secure Chris Conley in this year's draft in the third round. Though it was a big jump up in the trade, the Chiefs probably knew another team wanted him and valued him enough to make the move.
Now, Conley has to prove the team right by contributing to the offense.
Statistically, his numbers only improved over his four years at Georgia, but he did not have a major impact. He wrapped up his senior year with 36 grabs for 657 yards and eight touchdowns in 11 starts.
Though it may not match his college stats, his combine numbers impressed plenty of NFL coaches and scouts. He entered the draft as one of the top combine performers in the 40-yard dash, bench press, vertical jump and broad jump.
The Chiefs may have a secret weapon in Conley. If he can develop fast, he'll turn into a key player for Kansas City.
Junior Hemingway
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Seventh-round draft picks have short-lived tenures with teams. However, Junior Hemingway has managed to stay with the Chiefs; he was drafted in the seventh round by a different regime and is still in Kansas City under Reid and general manager John Dorsey.
Though he did not log any stats in 2012, he caught 13 passes for two touchdowns in 2013 and 12 passes last year. But now, there may be few chances for him.
With Maclin, Avant, Thomas and Conley ahead of him on the depth chart, Hemingway knows he needs an impressive preseason to increase his value to the team and earn a spot on the 53-man roster.
Frankie Hammond
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Frankie Hammond is near the bottom of the depth chart, yet he still saw three starts last year for the Chiefs. But with better talent this year, his four catches for 45 yards in 2014 may not suffice. Therefore, he will need to show improvement as a receiver.
As a backup return man, Hammond has good speed, but his total game has not come together for him so far.
Like Hemingway, Hammond will need a good preseason to stay in Kansas City.
Other Wide Receivers
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Rookies: Jeret Smith, Donatella Luckett, Da'Ron Brown, Kenny Cook
Veterans: Armon Binns, Fred Williams
Fans may have little interest in knowing about who barely cracks the 53-man roster or who ends up on the practice squad, but NFL coaches watch and evaluate these players carefully. Though it is rare, every now and then, one of these unknowns can emerge as a key player.
Thanks to the addition of Maclin, the re-signing of Avant and recent drafting of Thomas in 2013 and Conley in 2014, it is doubtful any of the players listed on this slide make the 53-man roster with only one or maybe two wide receiver spots available.
In the best-case scenario, one or two of the rookies on this list join the practice squad after a good preseason.
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