Chiefs: WR Depth in the 2024 NFL Draft

Laddie Morse

I’ve said to David Bell before that many of the prospects in this draft are excellent prospects. Seeing their upside makes it much more difficult to determine which ones might be keepers and which one won’t. That may be compounded by the WR class which is as deep as any WR class I’ve seen in my day. Let’s take a look at them and their 40 times. I’m using DrafTek’s rankings and as far as that’s concerned, I could use anyone rankings it just so happens that they compile them in a way that I can adapt them.

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Among the top 8 WRs that DrafTek has listed, all of them run in the 4.4s or better. So, I did a count of all the WRs in the top 30 who don’t run in the 4.4s and there’s only 6 who don’t, which means 80% of this years top 30 WRs run a 4.47 or better.

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This last group of wideouts (from Malik Washington on down) is what DrafTek designates as slot WRs who just so happen to be smaller.

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In the last grouping the red circled numbers are that player’s over all ranking by DrafTek. The players listed above that have their positional rank and their over all ranking listed just below their 40 time (which is in blue). Malik Washington would ranked somewhere between Brenden Rice and Jalen McMillan. Jacob Cowing would rank right before Luke McCaffrey. Ainias Smith and Anthony Gould rank somewhere between Cornelius Johnson and Jha’Quan Jackson, and lastly, Tahj Washington ranks before Jordan Whittington.

I shared with David Bell early on in this offseason process that nearly every WR I looked at looked like a winner. The 80% who run a 4.7 or faster tells me that this observation is accurate.

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Out of 30 WRs, that should get the Chiefs a couple of good ones. They drafted Skyy Moore tow years ago and he’s had 494 yards receiving over two seasons with one TD (in the regular season). Last year K.C. drafted Rashee Rice and although he progressed his recent legal troubles make his selection problematic as best. That means the Chiefs are one out of two in the drafting of WRs department… and that’s if Rashee Rice can clear his name and return to action with a clean slate.

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With DrafTek ranking seven (7) WRs in the first round, it shows the strength of this class. I’m in favor of Brett Veach doing what he can to trade up and selecting WR Brian Thomas Jr. if possible. Thomas is 6-foot-5 and 205 lbs. plus he turns 22 in October of this year. HIs 4.33 – 40 times for his size is impressive. Here’s his three seasons of production while at LSU:

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Some see his lack of production beyond one season a cause for concern. I do not. What does stand out to me is his 17.3 YPC in his senior season there. Thomas’ TDs of 17 in his last season there was an NCAA (and SEC) best. Here’s the Brian Thomas Jr. RAS:

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Kent Lee Platte – Photo Credit

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Gil Brandt used to say that he could tell a lot about a player from one play. That’s especially true of this play (0:20):

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Here, Thomas has to come back for the ball, he bobbles the ball then regathers it, he eludes one DB, then makes a quickness move to throw the other DB off his track, then races with speed to the end zone to score his TD. That’s one special play and it’s hard to imagine what he could do with Patrick Mahomes throwing him the ball.

LSU has become the WR University of the NCAA. Much liek USC once was with RBs, LSU is now thought to be the nesting ground for excellence in wide receiving. Brian Thomas is their next Pro Bowl caliber Wideout. it’s not small coincidence that Carlos Hankton is their WR coach. Form LSUSports.net comes this:

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“In his first two years as passing game coordinator and wide receivers coach, Hankton influence has been pivotal in LSU’s historic offensive success. LSU has had two of the top three offenses in school history in terms of total yards and passing yards in each of the past two seasons…. The Tigers led the nation in scoring (45.5) and total offense (543.5) in 2023, while ranking No. 3 in passing yards per game (338.9). LSU scored 40 points or more nine times in 2023 and topped the 500-yard mark nine times. LSU’s 2023 offense ranks No. 2 in school history for total yards (7,065) and passing yards (4,406). Hankton’s development of LSU’s top two receivers in 2023 – Malik Nabers and Brian Thomas – almost assured the duo of first round NFL Draft status.

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Thomas is the only WR within reach in this draft who could serve as a #1 WR for the Chiefs. There may be a depth to this WR class, but few who could actually be a #1. It’s my hope that Brett Veach can manipulate his way up the draft board far enough to select WR Brian Thomas Jr.. I can only imagine how great the Chiefs offense can be with Thomas in the house.

What do you think?

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Laddie Morse — ArrowheadOne

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