WR Problems? Yes, But Things Are Looking Up!

David Bell

The game in Las Vegas did my heart good! It was a needed boost for a team coming off of a close loss to the Eagles on MNF. All around the Kingdom, we have seen a lot of negativity about the Chiefs WR Corps. The concerns have ranged between “Farcical” and “Laughable” recalled by some relishing in retired Chiefs WRs.

Still, the Chiefs are 8-3 in a tough season, and surprising me: they lost three games by close margins, even the Broncos game. The Chiefs defense has done its job. The offense that I so fervently believed in has let the team down, including QB PMII. Play calling by Andy Reid, OL Errors, and obviously, WRs droppings and inconsistencies, all failing to make Mahomes trust in their prowess.

DC Steve Spagnuolo has done an outstanding job with, the defensive game plan and the coaching staff on that side of the ball. Here’s Ryan Clark explaining how the Chiefs Defense played the Miami Dolphins (1:31):

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Of special note are DL Coach Joe Cullen, DB Coach Dave Merritt, LB Coach Brendan Daly, and LB Coach Donald D’Alesio. Give this crew a lot of credit. The defense is playing very good football. At this point, I fear that the Chiefs will lose Spags to a head coaching opportunity in the coming off-season. Spags has said publicly that he would like another shot at the HC role.

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The Chiefs Wide Receivers

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Rashee Rice

I am Extremely Pleased with WR Rashee Rice

I am extremely pleased WR Rashee Rice. He has emerged as a trusted target for QB Patrick Mahomes. Rice has had some drops but has improved over the last several games. Rice has 44 receptions on 56 targets, 514 years and a 12.0 YPC number. Rice is dynamic once he has the ball in his hands. This is a rookie draft pick in 2023! I predicted that he would garner 800 yards receiving and that should be attainable and superseded if he keeps up the good work. At 6-2, 205 pounds he is good at fighting for contested balls. He is not going to get bullied by CBs or Safeties. The concerns at the draft were related to his speed (4.51-40) and burst after the catch. From what I see, Rice has made those worries moot, in my view. Rice is proving to be a ball-winner in traffic with good upper body coordination. What we saw against the Raiders was a savvy nimble WR with good feet.

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WR Marquez Valdes-Scantling

I am not pleased with WR Marquez Valdes-Scantling

In fact, MVS has really left the Chiefs offense in a lurch. I did know about how Green Bay felt about him which was why the Packers allowed him to depart. He suffered drops such as he did with the Chiefs vs the Eagles. My son, Ian, who is a Cheese Head, saw this disappointment coming. In 2023, MVS is the 4th highest paid Chief with a base salary of $8.5M, a prorated bonus of $2.0M and his cap number is $11M. In 2024 his cap number becomes $14M, but if released pre-June 1, the dead money will be only $2m.

Unfortunately it appears MVS will finish the 2023 season as a Chief. At this juncture, I think GM Brett Veach, could and should, cut MVS before June 1st, cutting bait and fishing for a deal with a top WR for 2024.

As it stands? Cutting bait is the best path forward. He has only 15 receptions on 28 targets for 248 yards and 1 TD. Thus far, his cost per reception is very high: just using the Base + Bonus = $10M for 15 receptions is $666.6K Per Catch. The Bottom Line? That’s not good enough. Not at all.

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WR Skyy Moore

I Expected More of Moore in Year Two

Moore should have shown significant growth as a 2nd year WR. It’s been a disappointing outing thus far in 2023. What I see? A WR that is under-performing. I don’t see a successful route runner. and he is not presenting an open target for PMII. Skyy has 20 receptions, 239 yards, and 1 TD. Not good enough. Laddie had high hopes for “More from Moore” this season (Chiefs Wide Receiver Projections), but mine were not as positive. Still I expected a larger contribution by Moore. The film of his route running doesn’t show the problem. It appears to me the route’s run doesn’t match up with him getting separation at the timed progression of the play. I fault the play design and the play-caller with PMII mixed in. Patrick is looking for deeper targets and doesn’t make those quick throws. So, Moore is less. Sadly.

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Kadarius Toney

Needs to be on the field and he must stay healthy!

I admit that my view of Toney was too “Over-the-top”. I believed Andy Reid who epected KT to be the top WR. Toney has a skill set that needed in the mix and he has been absent too much. It is said the most necessary ability is availability! There lies the rub so to speak. He has indeed played in games sinc week one. He had no snaps vs the Raiders.Toney has 22 receptions on 30 targets but only 139 yards and 1 TD. Not good enough! I expected a ton more from Toney and I am highly disappointed.

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Justin Watson

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There are other WRs in the corps such as Justin Watson. I think they have gone to the well more than once too often! His drops have been significant. Drops… that explains it.

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At the End of the Day

So Little Progress

I covered the most prominent WRs. Not much to write home about. Needless to say the WR crew may be a work in progress. I am disappointed to say the least and that’s 11 games into the season. So little progress has been made. What do you think?

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David Bell — ArrowheadOne

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