Wide Receiver Series – Short Brief: #8 John Ross (Veach’s True Dark Horse – Real Speed, 4.22 40!)

David Bell

Bengal John Ross – AP Photo

I determined early on for this Short-Brief Series that I would cover nine players. I am getting to number 8 last: John Ross. In my initial article, I stated that the number did not indicate a ranking (By me or anyone else), which remains the case. A concluding Article will add a note for three additional receivers on the roster, the still open potential of signing DeAndre Hopkins. I will also predict in that piece who the likely six WRs are and who goes to the PS. Once again, reality may set in, and no intrigue will be necessary because one of the players may be injured. If not, At least one player will suffer a lousy hangnail and end up on the IR.

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Why Should We Like John Ross?

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• Former Round 1, pick nine draft choice by the Bengals
• He has actual speed, which would greatly benefit the Chief’s offense: 4.22 40 time
• NFL time: Entering his 6th year – another player at the mystical age of 27 (Make it or Break Time)

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What to Worry About

• Never achieved the round-one pick success
• Missed all of the 2022’s season–he became a Free Agent, and no NFL team picked him up
• Availability – Ross has never played in more than 12 games in a season

If I had to hazard a guess, the Ross fills in the Brett Veach category of finding and bringing former round-one draft picks and giving them a shot a redemption. In the WR Corps, players in this category would be Kadarius Toney, Justyn Ross, and John Ross himself. I have already explained that I am completely aboard the “Toney Express” and have also selected Justyn Ross as my hype train engine. If Brett Veach hit home runs on two of these receivers, it would be a spectacular season which I am already on board as predicting anyway. But what if John Ross adds a third alternative? His speed would add back to the WR skillset that was lost with Tyreek Hill’s departure.

At the 2017 Combine, Ross set the forty-yard dash record with his run of 4.22 sec. When he set the record, he sustained a calf injury and did not compete in other events. His subsequent NFL career was riddled with injuries. He played for Cincinnati for four seasons and one for the Giants. Then the drought started in 2022 when no team bid for his services. Brett Veach finally signed Ross to a Reserve/Future contract.

Field Yates observed that the Chiefs then had the 9th(John Ross) and 10th(Patrick Mahomes) draft picks from the 2017 draft. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if Ross finally fulfilled all of his ‘Collegiate Promise’ with the Kingdom in 2023?

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NFL And Injury History

• December 2017 – Shoulder (ended his rookie season).
• 2018 – played in 13 games, scoring 7 TDs but only had 217 yards receiving.
• 2019 – Aggravated shoulder from his earlier campaign – 506 yards, 3 TDs but only 8 games.
• November 14, 2020 – played in only three games and was placed on the IR.
• 2021 – 10 games, 11 Catches, 210 yards, and 1 TD with the Giants. Ross was made a F/A at the end of the season.
• January 9, 2023 – Brett Veach signed Ross to a prove-it contract.

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Brett Veach used the Reserve/Future route to bring John Ross to the kingdom. This mechanism is used by NFL teams to bring in the talent they anticipate as having meaningful promise for the upcoming season. Brett Veach has used the Reserve/Future Contract for such players as OT Prince Tega Wanogho, RB Derrick Gore, CB DeAndre Baker, and LB Darius Harris(and others). Now we can add John Ross to that mold, another former first-round draft pick. Any question of success is not costly and holds big value if the player pans out.

John Ross Catch vs. Safety Dan Sorensen – Photo by: Jay Biggerstaff (USA Today Sports)

At this point, I have no real clue about John Ross except to say I have heard and read only good things thus far in this off-season. What I think would be great would be that he is added to the active roster, and Patrick Mahomes can again take advantage of a WR with one-of-a-kind speed. At worst, Ross could stretch the field and home up the intermediate area for other WRs and TEs. That would be huge. If he added break-away TDs, so much the better. Chiefs Focus had an article by Chiefsfan4Lyfe: a Bust to Boom type outlook. I hope this is what happens in 2023. See the article, here at Chiefs Focus: https://chiefsfocus.com/2023/03/16/from-so-called-bust-to-breakout-star-3-reasons-why-john-ross-could-be-the-chiefs-secret-weapon-that-nobody-is-talking-about-in-2023/

A highlight video of Ross shows what he can do. The basic stats that matter? 11 TDs in 52 Career Catches–but he must stay healthy. We all wonder: What if he did? Remember that at the time of this video, Kadarius Toney was also a Giant. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8EE25yFC_u8

Heaven Knows Mr. Allison!

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David Bell – ArrowheadOne

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