Chiefly Bacon’s Lazy Big Board: Wide Receiver

The next installment of the Lazy Big Board (LBB) covers the WR position. The Chiefs aren’t necessarily at a loss for talent here. Some would suggest that new WRs won’t help without a new QB. Even so, Kansas City has space to add fresh talent. Guys like Albert Wilson and DAT have some value, but it wouldn’t take much to upgrade them. Here are the picks:

Pick 27 WR Chris Godwin 6’1” 209lbs

There might not be a better fit for the Chiefs, from a scheme standpoint, in the entire draft. Godwin possesses blazing speed, ankle-breaking change of direction and great strength for a guy his size. Many big boards have Godwin as a 2^nd or 3^rd round pick. I don’t buy it. I think he can be as good as any WR in this draft and fits the Chiefs scheme much better than some higher rated players. He’s a shoe-in for the Maclin role, and his early development could allow Chiefs to save some cap at WR if they need to.

Pick 59 WR Curtis Samuel 5′11” 196lbs

Speed merchant and a gadget player, Samuel is a dynamic play-maker with the football in his hands. Trouble is finding a role for him. Hands are more like a RB, but his other skills point to WR. May take some time to develop, but he can be a STs standout. With Tyreek Hill taking on more responsibilities on offense, Chiefs may need someone who can replace his KR and PR abilities. Samuel can do that, and also provide versatile depth. Reid would have fun scheming up plays to take advantage of having two speedsters on offense. If Hill and Samuel can hit the field together, opposing DCs will be scrambling.

Pick 91 WR Zay Jones 6’2” 201lbs

Super productive in college, but some of that was due to his scheme. Might take some time to adjust to NFL press coverage. Big target with long arms and a nice vertical. Has good speed and change of direction ability. Experienced in the screen game and could see the field early in that capacity. Reports indicate he is a hard worker and has great character.

Pick 104 WR Taywan Taylor 5‘11” 203lbs

A skilled slot receiver who knows how to get open quickly. Lacks high end speed, but is very explosive. Tough to tackle in the open field, racks up YAC. Very traditional West Coast Offense WR.

Pick 131 WR Josh Malone 6’3” 208lbs

Malone is flying somewhat under the radar right now, but I really like his tape. Shows good hands, cushion-eating speed and fights for extra yards after contact. Displays good balance. Despite good speed, sometimes takes a minute to accelerate. Could struggle initially with press coverage. Needs development in his routes. The offense he played in didn’t do his ability justice. If Chiefs can polish him up, Malone could be a huge steal. At the very least, he can be a nice deep threat who’s also a decent blocker.

Pick 171 or 179 WR Ryan Switzer 5’8” 181lbs

Tiny WR who runs great routes and has solid hands. Will get compared to various former Patriot WRs, but he’s probably not quite that good. Still, reliable target with good hands and is a tough cover for most CBs. Could make sense as a depth piece with some upside. Low ceiling, but a high floor.

Pick 217 or 219 WR Shelton Gibson 5’11” 191lbs

Gibson didn’t test as well at the combine as expected, but he’s faster than his numbers show. Doesn’t have the greatest hands, might not be tough enough for the slot. Dynamic with the ball in his hands. Very explosive. Great as a deep threat. Has the quickness to run good routes, but needs to be coached up to do it. Gibson could be the next Donnie Avery, or he could be a nobody, but he has value as a developmental piece.

Pick 248 WR Jerome Lane 6’2” 226lbs

Former safety and LB, who plays like it. Fights for the ball, king of the contested catch. Plays physical and beats CBs up on the route. Great fit on special teams. Limited top speed. Quick, but doesn’t gain a ton of separation. Still learning the position. Comes from a small school and could take a while to adjust to the NFL.

Before the combine, I was pretty down on this WR class. After it, I’m feeling a bit better. I still don’t see a ton of talent at the top, but there are a lot of intriguing options in the mid to late rounds. My favorite is Chris Godwin, but I really like Josh Malone too. I feel like both have a lot of potential in this offense and even more if the Chiefs can somehow secure a better QB.