The Chiefs Forgotten Wideout

The Chiefs Forgotten Wideout

by David Bell | December 22, 2018

It’s true — every team has that “forgotten player.” Someone who does what he’s asked, gets no heraldic review but fulfills the role of being an important cog in the machinery. For the Chiefs, on Offense, they have such a player… Chris Conley. He’s the Chiefs forgotten wideout.

This season, to bolster the threat of the aerial game, Brett Veach made a splash by hiring WR Sammy Watkins. That threat worked. That is it worked until Sammy hurt his foot and he has now been unable to go since the end of November. When Watkins had to sit, Chris Conley stepped in. When Watkins was hired, Conley automatically took the 3rd string fiddle to Watkins possession type ability. You did not see or hear Conley whine. He is a “Chief.”

Chris Conley was a Dorsey draft pick in 2015 in the 3rd round (pick 76). He has speed, length and the ability to make contested receptions in traffic. However, Conley hasn’t had much of an opportunity to flourish. At the end of the tenure of Alex Smith, Conley had become a welcome target for Smith, especially when he was in trouble and attempting to evade a sack. It appeared he was destined to be the Chief’s #2 WR… until Watkins was brought on board.

The next thing you know, Sammy Watkins is hurt (on November 20th) and Chris Conley immediately stepped in and stepped up to the plate. You may need to refer back to the schedule but this was the game versus the Rams and Conley had a wonderful game when Watkin’s couldn’t continue in the game he had come back to start. Conley had 7 receptions on 8 targets, 74 yards and 2 TDs. The next week, he was 3 receptions for 25 yards and 1 TD on December 2nd, then on December 9th, Conley again had a positive game with 2 receptions on 3 targets.

Across that three game stretch, Conley had 10 receptions, 99 yards and 3 TD’s.

In games where Conley is not getting a pass thrown his way, he is always trying to block for a teammate… and he’s a good blocker. Further, when his Quarterback is fleeing for his life, Chris Conley is looking for a hole to drop into and get open. That brings you to the Chargers game where he was not a factor. Many point to the lack of production in this game as a highlight of what Conley is not able to do — be a solid #2 WR. That may be true. What we have witnessed though is very solid play by a #3 WR stepping up to the plate.

Maybe he is not destined to be part of a one–two punch. It’s possible that Demarcus Robinson, or another WR, supersedes him but I cannot help but think that his previous 3 games were an indication of what is possible using Conley as a target. For the most part I see him as not getting the call in the progression sequence and that limits what he is able to bring to the table.

As for now? Conley is in his 4th season as a Chief. If HC Andy Reid does not use him then that is on Big Red. As we approach the final 2 games of the 2018 season it is my view that Conley proved he can contribute at a high level. It’s up to Patrick Mahomes to get him the ball.

David Bell – ArrowheadOne

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