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Kansas City Chiefs: Chris Conley Faces Stiff Competition

By Leigh Oleszczak

Nov 22, 2015; San Diego, CA, USA; Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Chris Conley (17) warms up before the game against the San Diego Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium. Kansas City won 33-3. Mandatory Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 22, 2015; San Diego, CA, USA; Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Chris Conley (17) warms up before the game against the San Diego Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium. Kansas City won 33-3. Mandatory Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports /
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Chris Conley was drafted by the Kansas City Chiefs in the third round of the 2015 NFL Draft. Conley was brought in to be the eventual number two receiver, but failed to live up to the hype in his first year on the job.

Over the past several seasons, the KC Chiefs have struggled in the wide receiver department. Just two seasons ago, the team failed to have a single wide receiver catch a pass in the end zone.

Chris Conley was drafted last year to try and end that streak. The team had signed Jeremy Maclin during the free agency process, and that led to the dismissal of Dwayne Bowe from the team.

Once Conley was drafted, it seemed obvious that the number two spot was up for grabs between him and second-year man Albert Wilson.

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Wilson had made a good impression in 2014, stepping up in that number two role, despite going undrafted out of the 2014 NFL Draft.

Conley showed promise at times in 2015, but for the most part, had too many drops. He ended the year with only 199 receiving yards and one touchdown in the regular season. It is worth mentioning that Conley had a huge touchdown reception in the AFC Wild Card game, that pretty much sealed Houston’s fate though.

With Conley heading into year two of his NFL career, don’t expect him to be a lock for that number two wide receiver spot. The Chiefs signed veterans Rod Streater and Mike Williams to the roster for a reason, and both of these guys could give Conley a run for his money.

Streater had a decent year in 2013, grabbing 60 passes for 888 yards and four trips into the end zone. He’s dealt with injuries frequently since then, but he’s shown flashes of potential and started 14 games that season.

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Williams had two great seasons, both with Tampa Bay (2010 and 2012), recording over 900 yards receiving both years and 20 touchdowns total during that time. He’s been on a decline since that magnificent 2012 season, but the Chiefs have seen what he’s capable of, and he can be pretty good in the clutch.

Also, don’t forget new guy Demarcus Robinson. Robinson, a fourth-round draft pick out of Florida this year, led the Gators in receiving yards in 2014 and 2015. He has the chops to be a legit NFL receiver, but the main thing holding him back is that he was suspended FOUR times while at Florida. Not exactly something you want to see on your scouting report.

With all of the new competition in Kansas City, Chris Conley will really have to step up this summer if he wants that number two receiver spot. He made some nice catches last year, but fans expected more out of a third round pick than just 199 yards and a solo touchdown.

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When you mix in all of the newcomers to town and throw Albert Wilson into that mix, it could be seemingly difficult for Conley to win the number two job heading into the regular season.

Do you think Chris Conley will have a breakout year in 2016, or will he not even be a starter for the Kansas City Chiefs this season?

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