KC Chiefs: Most overrated and underrated player heading into 2019

The KC Chiefs fell just short of their lofty Super Bowl goals in 2018 and will be back with a vengeance this year. Who is the most overrated and underrated on the team heading into the 2019 season?

Since their AFC Championship heartbreak against the New England Patriots, the Kansas City Chiefs have slipped from the pinnacle of NFL attention to a borderline underrated AFC West Championship and possible Super Bowl contender.

Most of the Chiefs roster is properly rated, but there are a few outliers on both ends. Here is a look at the most overrated and most underrated Chiefs players going into 2019.

Most Overrated Chiefs Player: Sammy Watkins

Sammy Watkins makes a lot of money and gets a lot of hype while producing unimpressively mediocre stats.

In 2018, the wide receiver had three touchdowns and 40 catches, finishing with 13 yards per reception. Though his numbers are decent, they aren’t outstanding—especially when you consider his lofty salary and extensive history with injury.

Watkins is making $15 million a year, which made him the sixth highest paid wide receiver across the entire league at the time he signed his contract, according to 610 Sports’ The Drive.

Watkins isn’t even the best wide receiver on his own team.

The receiver’s first-rate contract simply doesn’t match up with his second-rate level of play. The expectations for Watkins were high as a wide receiver in a pass-heavy offense with an MVP quarterback in Patrick Mahomes, and he fell quite short as a low-producing second-string who has yet to make it through a full season without missing games due to injury.

Watkins’ 2018 performance would have been solid had his play not come alongside the expensive contract, high expectations, and injury issues. However, Watkins is likely due for an even better season in 2019, and he’d better capitalize on those opportunities before he is considered by many to not be worth his price tag.