NFL Draft 2011: The Kansas City Chiefs Must Complement Dwayne Bowe at WR

Last season saw the Kansas City Chiefs surprise the league, going from a lackluster 4-12 in 2009 to AFC West Champions with a 10-6 record.

A great deal of this resurgence can be attributed to the increased production on the offensive side of the ball. With a dominating run game, the Kansas City Chiefs found themselves able to take advantage of opposing defenses eager to stop running backs Thomas Jones and Jamaal Charles.

The increased run production allowed for a passing attack between quarterback Matt Cassel and wide receiver Dwayne Bowe, giving them both career seasons and a trip to the Pro Bowl.

That was 2010, though.

Coming into the 2011 season, the NFL knows what the Kansas City Chiefs are capable of. To make the situation more difficult, the Baltimore Ravens put on a clinic in the AFC Wild Card Round, demonstrating exactly how teams can stop the Chiefs offensive attack.

To combat this, there is only one answer for Kansas City: another wide receiver.

Yes, Bowe was fantastic last season. Out of the 27 receiving touchdowns the Kansas City Chiefs hauled in, Bowe was responsible for 15 of them. More than one third of the receiving yards came courtesy of Bowe as well. 

No one is doubting Bowe’s abilities in any way.

Unfortunately for Kansas City, that includes opponents.

Without another receiver, the Chiefs will find themselves forced into an offensive rut in 2011: run the ball or find Bowe downfield. There is no doubting who will garner most of the attention when Cassel steps back into the pocket.

In fact, despite many numbers you see, Kansas City’s passing game was anything but flawless last season. While Bowe provided over 1,100 yards receiving, the rest of the wide receivers caught only 693 yards.

Passes were dropped by all receivers as well, and while Bowe was the most consistent, there appeared to be no automatic receiver for Cassel to throw to. Overall, the passing game ranked 30th.

The Kansas City front office seems to be more than aware of this issue, having signed Kevin Curtis before the AFC Wild Card game in a failed attempt to provide some stability.

While the running game is great, that can’t be the only tool that is brought to the table. If the Chiefs expect to make a run into the playoffs again this season, a second reliable receiver is a must.

Fortunately for the Kansas City Chiefs, the draft is replete with wide receivers. With eight picks in the draft, every pick should provide the Chiefs with an opportunity to land a good receiver that will bring valuable skills to the team.

For their needs to be met, however, the Chiefs will need a receiver who is able to make an immediate impact.

The 2011 NFL draft class brings several reliable receivers that would definitely provide this need. With Hawaii’s Greg Salas, Louisiana State’s Terrance Toliver and Boise State’s Titus Young, the Chiefs would acquire players with solid skill sets who would immediately provide some relief to Dwayne Bowe.

With players like this, Matt Cassel would find a desperately needed second target that he could count on to bring the ball in. While they may not be the most explosive players, they would be steady and much less of a gamble.

If the Chiefs opt for a more explosive and less refined receiver, expect them to turn to the upcoming pool of free agents for a receiver who can make a difference now. A number of talented receivers will be testing free agency once the NFL labor situation is resolved, and with around $30 million left under the cap, the Chiefs will be able to afford one of these receivers.

Either way, Kansas City knows exactly what it will take to continue its success. Only time will tell if it is able to accomplish it.