KC Chiefs: Five wide receivers to potentially target in 2021 NFL Draft
By John McCarty
Free agency and depth likely mean the KC Chiefs will use multiple 2021 draft picks on pass catchers.
With Sammy Watkins and Demarcus Robinson likely headed elsewhere this next offseason in free agency and the lack of a ‘step forward’ thus far by 2019 second-round pick Mecole Hardman, the Kansas City Chiefs will need to look to add pass catchers to the offense. Knowing the organization values speed, quickness, and versatility over traits such as size, here’s a look at a few prospects that may be available.
The Chiefs, however, will return Travis Kelce, Tyreek Hill, Byron Pringle, and Hardman, so it’s unlikely that a first round pick is spent on a receiver unless a player falls their way. You can teach a lot in the NFL, you can’t teach speed. Here are the receivers Kansas City should be eyeing in April.
Wide Receiver. Crimson Tide . Jaylen Waddle. 17. player. 829.
After the first few games of the season, Alabama receiver Jaylen Waddle was putting his name in the discussion of a top 10 pick. A season-ending injury against Tennessee has derailed that movement. Does the injury knock him down to the Chiefs at the bottom of the first round? The Chiefs would not need him to contribute immediately, ensuring a full return to health.
Waddle has good hands, is really fast, and runs good routes. He is the type of receiver the Chiefs should not be allowed to have and he also has experience returning kicks — both punts and kickoffs — during his career at Alabama. He posted 1,965 yards receiving on 103 receptions and scored 17 touchdowns. In his five games this season, Waddle averaged over 20 yards a catch.
My guess is Waddle’s health is good enough that he won’t be on the board for the Chiefs close to where they are set to pick. While I don’t think he goes in the top 10, I think he goes top 20. But, if he doesn’t, a Chiefs fan can hope he falls in their laps, right?