Chiefs: Where the WR Group Stands as the OTAs Near Ending

David Bell

False Positives

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It’s not easy to see what is true and what is a false positive for various participants. I must be cautious because even if I were attending in person, it would be extremely difficult to extrapolate performance with no pads, and not being hit or tackled by defenders. However… the pads go on in training camp, and our perceptions will undoubtedly change then. This time, I am taking a look at the Chief’s WR Corps.

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Deep Dive Too Early!

Having said that, I am still going to write about my impressions gathered vicariously from observers who were present for the OTAs.

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Observation #1: Brown Will Bring It

The acquisition of Marquise “Hollywood” Brown. Brown tripped to Texas early on, to work with QB Patrick Mahomes to establish rapport and connectedness. Already in the OTAs Brown and Mahomes have connected early and often. Brown is constantly at Patrick’s side at the OTAs. This hookup, in my mind, is already established and will grow from here on. I do not have one Iota of a doubt that this is true.

There is a video , titled “Marquise Brown CHANGES EVERYTHING For The Kansas City Chiefs” and is worth taking a peek (8:38):

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In OTAs, Mahomes and Brown have already demonstrated that the deep ball play is back in the Chiefs game plan.

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Brown is not a contested ball WR but all else he is a #1 type WR – and I agree that he changes “everything” for the Chiefs. If I add that paired with Xavier Worthy, which will come to fruition early in 2024 — speed kills.

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Observation #2: Add to the mix, Rashee Rice!

No, we don’t know what will happen — yet — with the likely 2024 suspension of Rashee Rice. That said, Rice proved his value in 2023 and played a huge role in getting the Chiefs to the Lombardi Trophy, won about 17 weeks ago.

I am not going to dwell on the Rice legal problems. The suspension might not occur until 2024, depending on the resolution in court of the charges against him. Here is a catch vs. the 49ers in the Super Bowl in Overtime. Rice’s role expanded as the season progressed and he is a contested ball WR (0:18).

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Observation #3: Xavier Worthy will be a Major Contributor in 2024

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si.com Photo Credit

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My original projection was that the Chiefs would draft Worthy. Then too much research and listening to too many nay-sayers had me swap to his fellow Longhorn WR Adonai Mitchell. Boy was I wrong. Mitchell finally was selected with pick #52 by the Colts. It turns out my original thinking was in line with what Brett Veach did – he traded up to #28 (Buffalo Bills) to ensure the 49ers, the Panthers, or the Patriots could not draft Xavier and the rest is history. The Bills later used the acquired pick of KC to trade with Carolina who selected Xavier Leggett(WR), followed by the Bills who selected WR Keon Coleman. Veach must have made assurances to the Bills that his target was Worthy for Bills GM Brandon Bean to have made that trade. He must not have trusted Worthy but did trust Coleman.

as far as film? The very first play on the highlight film shows speed, movement, and tracking with an over-the-head TD Catch. Take a look here (13:07):

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Rather than expound on why Worthy was the right choice, I will refer you to an article by our own Laddie Morse, “Worthy is Worthy“. <– Here it is.

Right now our view of Worthy at the OTAs is limited as he is nursing a hamstring injury. But, I watch videos and see Worthy is present but not practicing of course. He trails QB Patrick Mahomes like a puppy. He listens in to coaches and follows all their words. He is prepping for 2024 and is a great student. He is also intelligent to boot. I watched his collegiate film extensively. He tracks the ball well, even if off-thrown, and catches the ball coming over his head. He will be a quick success with Andy Reid’s aerial attack. No, he is not a contested ball WR. The question will be, what his playing weight will be in 2024 and can he handle hard hits by defenders? I harken back to watching Tyreek Hill after his first year and marveled at the shakeups and how he shook them off and continued to play. I am certain that Worthy is on a muscle weight-building program and diet. I think he will play at about 170+ this coming season.

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Observation #4: Nikko Remigio has made his case

Now can he overcome other WRs who appear to be in front of him in the WR experience & Chief’s priority? To make the active roster he would need to displace another WR with game experience. I like what I hear and see in video clips about Nikko. I think it’s logical for me to think that the two most likely candidates he could replace would be Justin Watson or Kadarius Toney. As for Skyy Moore, I think he was miscast in the offense and played outside when he was a good fit out of the Slot. With the addition of Rashee Rice last year Moore was forced to the outside, and that was detrimental to Moore’s ability to contribute. I think we will see Moore in the Slot a lot more often and depending on Rice’s pending suspension, he will get a lot of work in that role. I think a lot of observers are unfair in their viewpoint of Skyy Moore. 2024 is also his 3rd season and as often happens, players suddenly come into their own in year three. I am certainly not in that group of fans and observers.

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Observation #5: Somehow Justin Watson has a Knack for Getting Open

Watson and Mahomes have a connectedness that goes beyond the number of reps Watson gets. Justin has a great personality and an infectious grin. I am hoping he will expand his success in 2024.

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Fox News Photo Credit

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Here is a video of a 41-yard catch from last season (0:36):

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Both Watson and Moore have turned in highly positive plays at the OTAs. I don’t think the Chiefs would replace either player on the 6 – 7 WRs who I think will make the Active Roster. Keep in mind that Rashee Rice will serve a league suspension this season (This suspension is completely likely, but the time frame and the number of games will remain elusive of specificity).

I do think the Chiefs view Kadarius Toney among the receivers on the active Roster. There is a ton of talent in the WR Position group and a lot of speed is present. I cannot make up my mind about how many active Roster WRs will be in the final plan. I can’t see eight though seven is possible.

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Observation #6: the WR Group on the Active Roster, me thinks:

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1. #5 Hollywood Brown (4.27 40)
2. #1 Xavier Worthy (4.21 40)
3. #17 Mecole Hardman (4.33 40)
4. #4 Rashee Rice (4.51) — dependent upon when he must serve time suspended.
5. #84 Justin Watson (4.44 40)
6. # Kadarius Toney (4.38 40) — may start out on the PS.
7. #24 Skyy Moore (4.41 40)

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Among the players whom I rank as making the Active Roster, Rashee Rice has the worst 40-yd time at 4.51. Skyy Moore is probably in the last year of his breaking in and he is in the 3rd year of his Rookie Contract. I have been highly disappointed in what Moore has been able to contribute over his first two seasons. I am, on the other hand, impressed by what Toney can do. Translating that into “availability”… is the problem. I still think he fulfills what has been said about him by the coaching staff. Until proven otherwise, I rank Toney as the #6 WR, in my Roster List above.

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Observation #7: Two More!

The next two players on the list, in my mind, are Nikko Remigio and perhaps Cornell Powell. Powell either cuts it or he will be gone in 2024. Justyn Ross is probably in a similar spot as Powell. The last three players probably are competing for a Practice Squad Assignment (Brooks, Hayek, and Washington).

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1. Nikko Remigio (4.57 40) – appears to be the #8 WR all the way around.
2. Cornell Powell (4.53 40)
3. Justyn Ross (4.64 40) – was dealing with an injury at the combine plus he is 6’4″ – which is intriguing.
4. Phillip Brooks (4.51 40) – 2024 UDFA.
5. Jaaron Hayek, Jr. (4.48 40) – 2024 UDFA. – Goes to the PS, in my view.
6. Montrell Washington 4.48 40 – drafted by the Broncos – goes to the PS.

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I don’t base my view merely on speed. Rashee Rice’s athletic matrix shows us why plus his ascension in 2023! But I just cannot see Remigio replacing one of the top 7 WRs — but we might well lose him if placed on the Taxi Squad. This creates a dilemma unless one of the front seven WRs hit the injury list.

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Nikko Remigio

Brad Henson has a video of a Nikko Remigio reception in 2023’s pre-season. See it here:

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I listened to Nick Jacobs and Matt Derrick on their “41 the Mic” Podcast.” The OTA podcast session has a positive view of Remigio thus far. Also, I pay a lot of attention to Ryan Tracy and Daniel Harms of RGR Football. I think Remigio, who made a strong push for the roster in 2023, has a very good shot and is in the Chiefs plans for the future.

None of the remaining WRs indicate an active Roster spot. Probably two will go to the PS. I recall looking at the film for Cornell Powell when he was drafted. He had great feet and break-ankles type of elusive moves. I ignored the 40-yard time when he was brought aboard – apparently, I bought my own hype about him.

I sort of feel the same about Nikko as I do Kadarius Toney. He has become a fan favorite at the OTAs and has caught the eyes of many seasoned evaluators and perhaps more importantly, Asst HC and OC Matt Nagy who observed:

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That observation by Matt Nagy is very telling and informs me that Nikko has a shot at making the active roster. I cannot, however, see him getting much faster in the process… but he is certainly stronger.

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Montrell Washington

At that point, as I have read, Montrell Washington has had a very good performance at the OTAs and he looks impressive in OTA Videos, thus far. I am not hearing noise about Justyn Ross yet, either. I still have him as my wild card for at least the PS. I’d guess that Ross and Washington will be sent to the PS, fronted by Remigio, if he doesn’t make the top seven.

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David Bell — ArrowheadOne

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