Kansas City Chiefs: Could Chris Conley breakout in 2018?

Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Chris Conley is ahead of schedule returning from injury and ready for a breakout season in 2018.

The Kansas City Chiefs have more weapons than it seems they can get the ball to in 2018. It’s a problem every quarterback wishes to have, and it’s the perfect scenario for second-year quarterback Patrick Mahomes to step into. Players like Tyreek Hill, Travis Kelce, and Kareem Hunt surround Mahomes with elite talent and the addition of Sammy Watkins this offseason makes it maybe the best group of weapons in the NFL.

With the signing of Sammy Watkins, many feel that Chris Conley is left without a definite role in 2018. The Chiefs lost Chris Conley last season when he ruptured his Achilles during their week five showdown against the Houston Texas. Conley went on to have surgery in October, and with the reports coming out of OTAs and minicamp as the team waits for training camp, he is way ahead of schedule in his recovery process.

Conley was on the verge of a breakout season last year before going down earning more trust with former quarterback Alex Smith. He was used in key third-down situations and was trusted by Smith when in tight coverage to come down with the ball. If what head coach Andy Reid has said about how Conley looks in camp, we could see a breakout season from Conley.

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"“He’s been phenomenal. He’s way ahead of where we expected him. We actually backed him down, he was doing so much and we want to get him through this whole thing healthy. He has actually had a very good camp.”"

As someone that has been a big fan of Chris Conley, I think that he will finally get his opportunity to showcase what he can do in 2018. Playing with Alex Smith, Conley never had much of a chance to prove what he can do. Smith was not the type of quarterback to throw many contested balls.

Those contested balls are where Conley shines the most. In college, his best route was the fade. He broke the records for the verticle jump and broad jump in 2015 at the NFL combine which have still yet to be beaten. With Patrick Mahomes taking over the quarterback position, Conley is likely to see more of those contested throws as Mahomes trusts his receivers to make a play.

With Conley being ahead of schedule in his recovery process, he has had time to work with Mahomes during camp. It’s something he didn’t get much time to do last season. Creating that connection early on in camp will go along way entering the season. He talked about that connection and time with Mahomes following camp.

"“I haven’t worked with Pat much prior to this camp — it was mainly Alex,” Conley said. “It’s huge, not only to build chemistry with Pat but to also knock some rust off.”"

Even while the Chiefs have so many weapons that will see the ball more than Conley most likely, they will also be taking all of the attention. Conley will be dealing with great matchups and single coverage where he can take advantage. He will likely be seeing the third or fourth string cornerbacks, safeties, or linebackers in coverage which will make getting the ball to him even easier.

Next: Reasons why the Chiefs defense will improve in 2018

Still yet to have the full chance to prove himself with Alex Smith, Conley is eager to show what he can do in 2018. Entering the season with a new gunslinger quarterback in Patrick Mahomes will help him achieve a breakout season. Not only does he want to prove himself coming back from an injury, but he’s also entering a contract season with the Chiefs. That could bring some motivation as well.

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