Kansas City Chiefs: Two receivers to target in 2020 NFL Draft
By John McCarty
With the Kansas City Chiefs showing interest in Henry Ruggs III, they should look at KJ Hamler and Jalen Reagor, who possess the same speed, but wouldn’t require a trade up in the 2020 NFL Draft.
The Kansas City Chiefs love them some speedy receivers. This is nothing new. From Tyreek Hill and Mecole Hardman, the Chiefs love players that can get down the field in a hurry. A team can coach a lot of things, but the ability to travel from point A to point B is something that – in reality – you either have or you don’t.
When news leaked that the Chiefs liked Henry Ruggs, it begged the question, who else might they have an eye for? Two names that could possibly be in play for the Chiefs this draft weekend are TCU’s Jalen Reagor and Penn State’s KJ Hamler.
If the Chiefs are indeed interested in a receiver early (and they should be), they could have an interest in these two pass catchers at the bottom of the first or at the top of the second if they look for a trade down.
JALEN REAGOR
Reagor is a bit undersized for a team that is worried about such things, but the Chiefs are not worried about such things. Good quickness and speed, Reagor comes from a TCU offense that has at times struggled at quarterback play and the ability to consistently get him the ball.
He also has experience returning kicks, perhaps taking some pressure of Mecole Hardman as he continues his development as a receiver. Good in the open field with the ball, Reagor must become more consistent with all aspects of his game. He’s a player the Chiefs could pop for at 32 if they want to add a receiver in the early round.
KJ HAMLER
Hamler is a bit smaller than Reagor in both height and weight, but – much like Reagor – is electric with the football in his hands. He’s obviously not as fast as Hill, but possesses the explosive quickness and burst to simply leave defenders in his wake, and has experience in pass routes and running the football in sweeps and the such.
As the profile courtesy of Lance Zierlein of NFL.com points out, Hamler lacks the elite level balance a player like Tyreek Hill has, which is the trait that allows to him to carry speed into changing of direction. Much like Reagor, Hammier must refine and become more consistent with the finer aspects of playing the position to excel at the NFL level.
Why do I expect the Chiefs to target a receiver? Because – more than likely – the Chiefs will lose both Sammy Watkins and Demarcus Robinson next season in free agency. The Chiefs will have a decision to make on Tyreek Hill in the next year or two and get him a new contract after signing a short-term deal last offseason.
Between a complicated Andy Reid offense and limited offseason practice and development opportunities, the Chiefs can target a receiver that will develop during the season and be expected to contribute in 2021 along with Mecole Hardman and Tyreek Hill.
The Kansas City Chiefs win by having passing targets that can get down field and create both pressure and space on the defense. The organization must continue to focus on those type of prospects and continue to look for speedy targets.