Should the KC Chiefs Pursue Julius Thomas
The KC Chiefs have a lot of holes to fill this offseason and one of the most glaring weaknesses is at the wide receiver position, but what if the Chiefs targeted a tight end to play opposite of Travis Kelce?
That is where Denver Broncos tight end Julius Thomas comes in. Thomas was drafted by the Broncos in the fourth round of the 2011 NFL Draft, and was a relatively unknown player after playing his college ball at Portland State University.
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2011
In Thomas’ 2011 rookie season he was unable to find much play time, playing in only five games with one start. Thomas recorded one receptions on seven targets for only five yards for the entire season.
2012
Thomas hit the Sophomore slump (if that is possible after a one catch season) and was not much of a factor in the Broncos offense largely due to injuries. He played in four games with no starts, no catches, and not even a target.
2013
Thomas exploded onto the scene for the Broncos in 2013. He scored the first and second touchdown of his career in the season opener against the Baltimore Ravens. The following week he was once again a crucial piece of the Broncos offense, scoring the clinching touchdown.
Thomas finished the season with 65 receptions, 788 yards, and 12 touchdowns in 14 games played. After a stellar 2013 season he was voted to the first Pro Bowl of his young career.
Thomas helped the Broncos reach Super Bowl XLVIII where they faced the Seattle Seahawks. The Broncos lost in the Super Bowl to the Seahawks by a score of 43-8. Thomas was fairly ineffective with four receptions for 27 yards.
2014
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Thomas once again started the season on a tear for the Broncos. He managed three touchdowns in the first half of the Broncos season opening game against the Indianapolis Colts. The three touchdowns in a single game tied Shannon Sharpe‘s Broncos all-time record for single game touchdown receptions by a tight end.
Thomas continued to carry the momentum through the early part of the season, and found himself with nine touchdowns through the first five weeks of the season.
He finished the season with 43 receptions, 489 yards, and 12 touchdowns in 13 games played. Thomas only managed three touchdowns and 265 yards after week having nine touchdowns and 224 yards through only five weeks.
Thomas is at the end of his four year $2.42 million rookie contract and is slated to be a free agent come March.
According to Mark Sessler of NFL.com Thomas’ agent says he is being pushed from the Broncos.
"“The Broncos came to me, we tried to get it done, it didn’t work,” Bauer told The Denver Post on Friday. “Does Julius love Denver? Yes. Does Julius love the fans there? No question. Does he love the organization and the community? Look at what he does for kids in that town. But for some reason people are trying to tear him down. In my opinion what they’re doing by tearing him down is pushing him away.”"
While it could be a negotiating tactic by Thomas’ agent, it could also be a sign that Thomas’ time in Denver is over.
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The KC Chiefs are in desperate need for pass catchers and they run a lot of two tight end sets in head coach Andy Reid‘s offense, but would another tight end be a better option than investing in a wide receiver when you already have a young promising tight end in Travis Kelce on the roster?
The answer is, it could be. Alex Smith is notorious for short to medium range passes, and the offense is most effective when they can matriculate the ball down the field. The KC Chiefs proved last season that you don’t have to rely on your wide receivers to win games, but it felt like they were lacking one or two play makers.
There is a very real chance the KC Chiefs part ways with Anthony Fasano who has two years left on the four year contract he signed prior to the 2013 season, and pursue another tight end.
Money is certainly an issue, and if the Chiefs signed Thomas they would likely have to look to the draft to find a wide receiver, but signing Thomas would instantly give the Chiefs the best one two punch at tight end in the league in 2015 and maybe even in the history of the NFL.