With Beckham joining Ravens, Chiefs change focus to draft in WR search
With Odell Beckham Jr. joining Ravens, Chiefs change focus to draft in WR search
By Nate Taylor
Apr 11, 2023
Spoiler!
Once again, another spring in which the NFL’s spending frenzy that is the free-agency period concluded with the Chiefs not signing a significant receiver.
Similar to the 2021, 2020 and 2019 offseasons, the Chiefs didn’t acquire a veteran at the position, one that could have strengthened the team’s passing attack led by superstar quarterback Patrick Mahomes. This outcome was more or less finalized Saturday night when Odell Beckham Jr., the talented veteran receiver the Chiefs have coveted for almost two years, agreed to a one-year, $15 million deal to join the Baltimore Ravens.
While the Chiefs had an interest in Beckham, coach Andy Reid said recently the team wasn’t in a desperate situation. Instead, Beckham joining the Ravens — along with Jakobi Meyers signing with the Las Vegas Raiders, Adam Thielen landing with the Carolina Panthers and Allen Lazard joining the New York Jets — allows the Chiefs to fully turn their attention to the NFL Draft, which will be held in Kansas City for the first time. With the draft less than three weeks away, the Chiefs can scour the options and identify which receivers they can target with one of their top selections.
“There are so many things that we take into consideration,” general manager Brett Veach said of evaluating receiver prospects in late February during the league’s scouting combine. “I think people tend to forget that there’s a lot of dialogue. It’s not like, ‘the Chiefs like smaller receivers.’ We like good players. But do they pass the medicals? Do they pass the interviews with our coaches? Is the chemistry there? Do (we) feel like (they’ll) be a good blend in our locker room with our current receiving group?”
At the combine, Veach, Reid and the rest of the personnel staff spent most of their time interviewing receivers, offensive linemen and defensive linemen. Among the receivers, the group that appears to intrigue the Chiefs the most are Jalin Hyatt (Tennessee), Jaxon Smith-Njigba (Ohio State), Quentin Johnston (TCU), Zay Flowers (Boston College) and Rashee Rice (SMU).
If the Chiefs acquire one of those prospects — or a different one at the position — that player likely will be expected to be a contributing role player in their rookie season. Last month at the league owners’ meetings, Reid shared that he believes each of his top three receivers — Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Kadarius Toney and Skyy Moore — can improve in the upcoming season, their second in the Chiefs’ scheme.
“I know we’re comfortable with the guys we have,” Reid said then.
Veach and Reid believe the player most equipped for a breakout season is Toney, who offers a combination of speed, quickness and strength that is rare among receivers. In the final three games of the regular season, Toney, with a better grasp of the Chiefs’ offense, recorded 123 all-purpose yards on just 10 touches, including two touchdowns.
“Really, K.T. for the most part was a rookie (last year) — new offense, he missed a few games his first year and he missed a few games the second year,” Reid said of Toney. “I think just being familiar with what we’re doing will help.”
Shortly after free agency began, the Chiefs weren’t able to retain JuJu Smith-Schuster, who produced 933 receiving yards and three touchdowns last season. Smith-Schuster joined the New England Patriots, signing a three-year, $25.5 million contract with $16 million guaranteed. A couple of weeks later, Mecole Hardman joined the New York Jets on a one-year deal, meaning the Chiefs would be tasked with replacing a combined 1,261 all-purpose yards and nine touchdowns.
Prior to Beckham agreeing to a deal with the Ravens, the Chiefs made a minor acquisition Friday when they agreed to a one-year contract with receiver Richie James. A four-year veteran, James generated a career high in games (17), receptions (57), yards (569), first downs (29) and touchdowns (four) with the New York Giants last season. James also offers versatility on special teams by being a possible kickoff and punt returner.
But in hopes of improving the team, Veach has added more players on defense, including pass rusher Charles Omenihu, linebacker Drue Tranquill and safety Mike Edwards. The Chiefs’ biggest acquisition in free agency, though, was geared toward helping Mahomes thrive. Jawaan Taylor signed a four-year contract worth $80 million, including $60 million guaranteed, to be the Chiefs’ new left tackle, the player responsible for protecting Mahomes’ blind side.
“I love Orlando (Brown Jr.) and I’m happy for him,” Reid said last month of Brown, who joined the Cincinnati Bengals. “He got somewhat what he wanted. I’m also glad that Brett Veach was on top of his game and that we’re taken care of there (with Taylor). We feel very comfortable with that.
“I think that’ll be an easy fit. We should be able to hit the ground running and it’s the same offense (for Taylor, who had played his first four season with the Jacksonville Jaguars), and he’s not going to have to learn a lot of the terminology.”
If the Chiefs again have one the league’s best offensive lines — featuring star left guard Joe Thuney, star center Creed Humphrey and right guard Trey Smith — Veach is confident that Reid’s scheme and Mahomes’ passing ability will again help elevate receivers such as Valdes-Scantling, Toney and Moore.
“It seems like they figured out as long as you protect Mahomes, nothing else matters,” an anonymous team executive told The Athletic last month of the Chiefs’ offseason moves. “It is probably true.”
The timing and chemistry between Mahomes and his receivers could be stronger next season. Even before the Chiefs started their voluntary offseason program, Mahomes assembled a few of his receivers — including Valdes-Scantling, Moore and Justyn Ross — to conduct a passing session at TCU’s indoor facility. In May, following the draft, Mahomes could have a similar session, that one featuring a new receiver eager to catch passes from him.
“Who wouldn’t want to catch passes from him,” Hyatt, the Tennessee prospect, said with a smile at the combine.
A few feet from Hyatt at the time was Flowers, the former Boston College star who had a similar thought when he began envisioning his NFL career starting with the Chiefs.
“That would mean a lot, to play with Patrick Mahomes,” Flowers said, smiling. “You can get a lot of big plays, especially somebody like me. That would be great.”
04-12-2023, 08:14 AM
With Beckham joining Ravens, Chiefs change focus to draft in WR search
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