Laddie Morse
In Chiefs Kingdom, there’s a buzz going around: why isn’t GM Brett Veach making a move for OBJ or a trade for DeAndre Hopkins? Those are good questions that only Brett Veach can answer… unless… we have already figured out why he’s not jumping at either of those possible prospects right now.
The reason may be that he’s just playing the waiting game. Why wait, you ask? Well, to begin with, each day that each of those WRs is not signed, or traded for… their price comes down. Is that a risk? Sure it is… if you have no other recourse. So… what are Brett Veach’s other recourses?
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Other Recourses
If you read or listen to the NFL analysts and podcast pundits like I do, then you may know that this draft is deep and loaded at certain positions. If you’ve also read my yearly piece on the Bump Method, then you know that if there are a lot of QBs to be drafted in the first round by teams that are QB hungry (and what team isn’t), then you know the Chiefs choices and options grow exponentially at the end of the first round (because of GOAT-boy Patrick Mahomes).
The same theory applies to the many other positions that these analysts and podcast pundits say are loaded like: EDGE, DL, WR, OL, RB, CB, then QB. The TE position also has many quality prospects this year. The point is, the Chiefs have the need to add EDGE Rushers, Defensive Linemen, Wide Receivers and Offensive Linemen as well. So, this should be a great draft for the Chiefs since they have 10 picks ready to catch or select, the most colorful eggs possible (yes, that’s an Easter eggs reference).
There’s an article at Bleacher Report called, “Ranking Each Positional Group in the 2023 NFL Draft from Worst to First” in which they rank the best (deepest) positions in this draft as (and I have reversed them to show: first to worst):
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1. EDGE Rushers
2. Defensive Line
3. Wide Receivers
4. Offensive Line
5. Running Backs
6. Cornerbacks
7. Quarterbacks
8. Tight Ends
9. Safety
10. Linebackers
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With the teams in the first round who want QBs taking QBs, it means there are likely to be 4 or 5 of them selected prior to the time the Chiefs pick at #31, assuming they stay there. The top OTs will go early as well, and the same holds true for EDGE Rushers and some Interior Defensive Linemen. What that means for Brett Veach is… if he’s wanting to replenish the Chiefs Wide receiver positions, he’ll have a multiplicity of choices. Let’s take a look at three Wide Receivers, that should be available at pick #31, #63, or even #95.
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WR, Jordan Addison
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The top two rated WRs in this draft are Quentin Johnston and Jaxon Smith-Njigba who should both end up going in the top 15-to-20 of this draft. Next in line would be: Jordan Addison.
Addison played for the University of Pittsburgh for a couple of years then transferred to USC a year ago. His stats look like this, offered by sports-reference.com:
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Addison didn’t play in the most recent Cotton Bowl because of an ankle injury this past year, but other than that, he’s been a main stay in each offense he’s worked in. Oh, Addison also shut down his workout at the Combine because of a back strain. DraftBuzz.com says of Addison:
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“In 2022 at his new home in southern California he played 11 games and hauled in 59 catches for an impressive 875 yards for an average of 14.8 yards per catch, with 8 TDs, and put up a QB rating when targeted of 139.0.”
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JA averaged 89.5 yards receiving per game over the course of his three year college career. Here’s some of Jordan Addison’s Highlights:
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You may want to MUTE the VOLUME first.
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WR, Jalin Hyatt
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Jalin Hyatt played for Tennessee for three years and is coming out after his Junior season. Here are his stats from sports-reference.com:
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ProFootballNetwork.com had this to say about Jain Hyatt’s first game:
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“Tennessee WR Jalin Hyatt introduced himself to the world with a 207-yard, five-touchdown (school record) outing against Alabama. Prior to that performance, no pass catcher had 100+ yards and three or more TDs against the Crimson Tide in the Nick Saban era.”
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While Jalin Hyatt may end up going much higher than expected, DrafTek currently has him ranked at #60, so… he could be had with the 63rd pick, where the Chiefs select at the end of the second round.
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WR, A.T. Perry
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A.T. Perry is 6-foot-5 and goes 206lbs. and runs a 4.47 – 40 yard dash which is really moving for a big guy! DrafTek currently has Perry ranked as the 123rd best overall prospect so he could be had in the 3rd round for K.C. (pick #95). Here’s A.T. Perry’s stats from sports-reference.com:
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Notice that A.T. Perry had consistent production his last two years. He was a fourth year junior and played all four years but in his last two years he had 2,389 receiving yards on 152 receptions. That’s about as good as I’ve ever seen. Here are some of his highlights:
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Bleacher report says of Perry:
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“A.T. Perry is a towering vertical threat with the athletic tools to blossom into a complete X receiver… Perry’s best work often comes on go balls, post routes and the occasional deep over route, all of which just let him take off in one direction. He also has loose feet and hips for a player his size, which allows him to threaten other routes that play off of vertical stems, such as deep digs, glance routes and comeback routes.”
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You would think that Andy Reid would be attracted to Perry’s height since we rarely see a wideout with that kind of towering talent. He also gives Reid the option to call a play at the back of the end zone where only Perry can go up and get it. What do you think? Are there WRs who you are attracted to?
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Laddie Morse — ArrowheadOne
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