NFL Draft 2011: 10 Wide Receivers the Kansas City Chiefs Should Target

After last year’s surprising season led to a playoff berth for the Kansas City Chiefs, the team has spent months identifying the weakest points on the team. While fans agree that much of the offense is on the right track, everyone agrees on one thing: The Chiefs need receivers.

With the draft coming up, the Chiefs will look to bolster their passing game with a player that will relieve some of the pressure that Dwayne Bowe shouldered last season. While there are many players who would be able to fill the hole, the Chiefs should turn their sights on a handful of receivers who will give them exactly what they need.

Vincent Brown, San Diego State

Stephen Dunn/Getty Images

SAN DIEGO - NOVEMBER 20: Wide receiver Vincent Brown #80 of the San Diego State Aztecs celebrates after his first touchdown of the game, on a ten yard reception in the first quarter against the Utah Utes at Qualcomm Stadium on November 20, 2010 in San Di

Projection: Fifth round

Vincent Brown has proven his catching ability, registering 13 100-yard games in his career at San Diego State. With a lackluster showing at the NFL combine though, Brown has been slated to go in the fifth round with teams fearing a lack of speed.

If the Chiefs are able to get past this hang up, Brown would be a good late pick, adding a reliable, albeit not flashy, receiver who would be able to punish defenses for neglecting him in coverage. His impact would be felt immediately.

Austin Pettis, Boise State

Geoff Burke/Getty Images

LANDOVER, MD - SEPTEMBER 06: Wide receiver #2 Austin Pettis of the Boise State Broncos tries to avoid cornerback #21 Rashad Carmichael of the Virginia Tech Hokies at FedExField on September 6, 2010 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Geoff Burke/Getty Imag

Projection: Fourth to fifth Round

Austin Pettis leaves Boise State as the team’s all-time leader in receptions and touchdown catches. His ability to get to the ball would make Pettis an excellent threat opposite Dwayne Bowe. This skill would also open up the red-zone offense for the Chiefs, leaving them with multiple offensive threats inside the 20.

Pettis’ main value to the Chiefs may, ironically, be his greatest weakness. With very pedestrian results in the 40 at the combine, Pettis is expected to be taken in the fourth or fifth round, making him a late pick that would be able to make an impact quickly in the Chiefs’ offensive scheme.

Greg Salas, Hawaii

Kent Nishimura/Getty Images

HONOLULU - SEPTEMBER 2: Greg Salas of the University of Hawaii Warriors runs the ball during second half action at Aloha Stadium September 2, 2010 in Honolulu, Hawaii. (Photo by Kent Nishimura/Getty Images)

Projection: Fourth round

Having caught over 4,000 yards in his collegiate career, Greg Salas has proven his ability to get to the ball and make big plays. Despite this, several mock drafts still have him slipping down into the fourth round. 

Salas is one of the most dependable choices for the Chiefs. He has soft hands, and with his ability to get up and get the ball (his vertical measured 37 inches in his Combine workout, a full four inches higher than Dwayne Bowe registered before he was drafted), Salas would be a serious threat in the end zone. This, along with his proven work ethic, would allow Salas to make an impact in 2011.

Terrance Toliver, Louisiana State

Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

ATHENS, GA - OCTOBER 03: Terrance Toliver #80 of the Louisiana State University Tigers against the Georgia Bulldogs at Sanford Stadium on October 3, 2009 in Athens, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Projection: Fourth round

Terrence Toliver falls into the same category as Greg Salas: dependable, with soft hands. Although Toliver is average in most physical tests, it’s his hands that set him apart. He is able to grab anything that gets near him.

Toliver has met with the Carolina Panthers’ coaching staff, possibly meaning they plan on using the first pick in the fourth round to grab Toliver. If the Chiefs want him, they will most likely have to use their third-round pick on him.

What they will get in Toliver is a dependable receiver that will complement Dwayne Bowe’s flashy style of play.

Edmund Gates, Abilene Christian

Projection: Third round

Edmund Gates would be a perfect fit in the Kansas City Chiefs’ offensive scheme.

Physically, Gates sits slightly smaller than Dwayne Bowe, but he makes up for it by being able to get to balls six inches higher than Bowe, as well as running faster. With these skills, Gates has the potential to be an explosive receiver in the league.

He is expected to be taken in the third round solely because of the program he has come from, but he is on the Chiefs radar, having been invited to a private workout with the team. If the Chiefs like what they see, they could end up with a receiver with tremendous upside.

Titus Young, Boise State

Ethan Miller/Getty Images

LAS VEGAS, NV - DECEMBER 22: Titus Young #1 of the Boise State Broncos runs for yardage around Chad Manis #18 and Justin Taplin-Ross #33 of the Utah Utes during the MAACO Bowl Las Vegas at Sam Boyd Stadium December 22, 2010 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Boise St

Projection: Second to third round

Titus Young left Boise State as the school’s all-time leading receiver with 3,063 yards, which everyone can agree is an impressive feat. Young’s smaller stature, though, has left him the recipient of favorable critiques as well as criticisms.

Some draft experts are looking at Titus Young as a DeSean Jackson-type receiver with natural receiving ability. He has also proven his willingness to work, having shaved time off of his dash times between his appearance at the NFL combine and his pro day workout. If the experts are right about his natural ability, Young would be able to make an impact for the Chiefs within his first couple of seasons, giving their passing game some much needed assistance.

With Young slated to go in the second or third round, the Chiefs will have their shot at him.

Randall Cobb, Kentucky

Andy Lyons/Getty Images

LEXINGTON, KY - NOVEMBER 13: Randall Cobb #18 of the Kentucky Wildcats runs with the ball while defended by Sean Richardson #21 of the Vanderbilt Commodores during the game at Commonwealth Stadium on November 13, 2010 in Lexington, Kentucky. Kentucky won

Projection: Second round

No player in the draft is as versatile as Randall Cobb. In his junior season, Cobb led the SEC in receptions per game and set the SEC single-season mark for all-purpose yards. Coming to Kentucky as a quarterback, Cobb made his impact as a receiver and kick returner. He is able to line up in the backfield if needed also.

The Chiefs would greatly benefit from a player like this. Not only will he be able to make catches for the Chiefs, but he has also shown ability to block downfield, a skill that will bolster an already stellar running game. If he is left on the board when the Chiefs’ second pick comes around, it would be foolish not to at least consider him.

Jerrel Jernigan, Troy

Chris Graythen/Getty Images

NEW ORLEANS, LA - DECEMBER 18: Jerrel Jernigan #3 of the Troy University Trojans scores a touchdown over Donovan Fletcher #29 of the Ohio University Bobcats during the R&L Carriers New Orleans Bowl at the Louisiana Superdome on December 18, 2010 in New O

Projection: Second round

If the Chiefs are looking for speed, Jerrel Jernigan would be an excellent choice.

Although he measures around 5’9”, Jernigan makes up for it with his speed and athletic prowess. Jernigan is able to make quick moves without slowing down, a skill that could turn him into a powerful weapon on offense as well as special teams.

Jernigan has climbed the draft board despite his size, now being listed in the second round on most mock drafts. While his speed would be a great asset to the Chiefs passing game, his route running seems to be a bit rough, making him less likely to make an immediate impact on the offense. Given the right coaching, though, Jernigan could cause difficulties for opposing defenses.

Torrey Smith, Maryland

Projection: First to second round

If the Chiefs decide to choose a wide receiver in the first round, Torrey Smith will definitely be on their radar. Built like Dwayne Bowe, Smith possesses speed as well as an athletic ability that will allow him to go over many defenders to make a catch. His 12 touchdown receptions last year was four times what other receivers on the Maryland squad had, proving Smith’s ability to make the big grabs.

Many mock drafts have the Ravens scooping up Smith in the first round, filling their need for a quick receiver. With the 21st pick in the draft, the Chiefs will have a shot at Smith before the Ravens get to him. If Scott Pioli and Todd Haley feel he fits the team’s need, Smith would be a solid first-round choice.

Leonard Hankerson, Miami

Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images

MIAMI - NOVEMBER 20: Leonard Hankerson #85 of the Miami Hurricanes catches a touchdown over Davon Morgan #2 of the Virginia Tech Hokies at Sun Life Stadium on November 20, 2010 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)

Projection: First to second round

There is no one the Chiefs would like to see in a red jersey more than Leonard Hankerson. Hankerson became one of the most prolific receivers in the University of Miami’s history, holding the record for most receiving yards in a season as well as leading the ACC in receiving yards per game.

Essentially, drafting Hankerson would give the Chiefs another receiver like Dwayne Bowe. While he may not be the fastest or most explosive player, he will get the job done and be able to make an immediate impact.

If the Chiefs decide to draft an offensive lineman with their first pick as many expect them to, Hankerson will likely not be around when the Chiefs make their second pick. Losing out on Hankerson may not be the worst thing for the Chiefs, though. Hankerson has struggled with dropped passes in the past and may not be the most effective receiver the Chiefs could pick.

With a little bit of work, though, the Chiefs could have one of the more dangerous receiving tandems in recent memory.