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KC Chiefs: Wide Receiver Position No Longer a Weakness

By Leigh Oleszczak

Oct 30, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Kansas City Chiefs receiver Chris Conley (17) tries to elude Indianapolis Colts corner back Rashaan Melvin (30) in the second half at Lucas Oil Stadium. The Chiefs won 30-14. Mandatory Credit: Thomas J. Russo-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 30, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Kansas City Chiefs receiver Chris Conley (17) tries to elude Indianapolis Colts corner back Rashaan Melvin (30) in the second half at Lucas Oil Stadium. The Chiefs won 30-14. Mandatory Credit: Thomas J. Russo-USA TODAY Sports /
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Just a year ago, the KC Chiefs were struggling at the wide receiver position. That seems like such a long time ago now though, as the Chiefs appear to finally have talent at the position.

In 2014, the Kansas City Chiefs failed to throw a touchdown pass to a wide receiver for the duration of the season. Dwayne Bowe was showing signs of slowing down, Donnie Avery wasn’t a true number two receiver, and Albert Wilson was just beginning to make a name for himself in Kansas City.

That offseason, the Chiefs went out and got Jeremy Maclin for their receiving corp. Maclin had previously played with Andy Reid in Philadelphia and that likely played a huge role in him coming to Kansas City.

Well, that and the fact that Maclin grew up in eastern Missouri and went to school at the University of Missouri.

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Maclin ended up having a spectacular inaugural season as a Chief, but he and Travis Kelce were really the only passing threats that the KC Chiefs had on their roster. Chris Conley was a rookie in 2015, but was one of the most disappointing players on the team that season.

Heading into 2016, everyone knew Jeremy Maclin would be the number one wide receiver for Kansas City, but would Conley win the number two spot?

Conley did indeed win the job, as Rod Streater, who had been acquired during free agency, had been traded to San Francisco.

The biggest name to emerge in the wide receiver corp, however, is rookie Tyreek Hill. It’s obvious when watching games that Alex Smith feels comfortable throwing to Hill, and Nick Foles even connected with him for a touchdown during the game in Indianapolis.

WIDE RECEIVER STATS SO FAR THIS SEASON (SEVEN GAMES):

  • Jeremy Maclin – 30 catches for 376 yards, 2 touchdowns (Averaging 12.5 yards per catch)
  • Chris Conley – 23 catches for 286 yards, 0 touchdowns (Averaging 12.4 yards per catch)
  • Tyreek Hill – 16 catches for 223 yards, 4 touchdowns (Averaging 11.7 yards per catch)
  • Albert Wilson – 12 catches for 94 yards, 0 touchdowns (Averaging 7.8 yards per catch)
  • De’Anthony Thomas – 4 catches for 26 yards, 0 touchdowns (Averaging 6.5 yards per catch)

Albert Wilson and De’Anthony Thomas have been disappointing this season, but for the most part, it’s hard to be upset with the way the wide receivers have performed so far this season.

Next: Top 15 Leaders in Receiving Yards

The KC Chiefs have been good at spreading the ball around to different guys on the offense this season, which explains the lower stats than expected for Maclin. Hill leads the receivers in touchdowns, which is surprising, considering we all figured he’d just be a punt returner.

With Hill succeeding as a rookie, Maclin finally looking back to form in week eight, and Conley slowly but surely learning the ropes, it’s safe to say that the wide receiver position is finally not a weakness for the Kansas City Chiefs.

This team really doesn’t have a whole lot of weaknesses. That’s what people say about good teams, and the KC Chiefs are starting to prove that they’re a good team.

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