Over the past decade, and during most of Brett Veach's tenure, the Kansas City Chiefs have had a knack for finding gems in Days 2 and 3 of the NFL Draft. That's usually the way it goes when you're constantly near the bottom of the first round.
However, they haven't always been eager to throw their rookies into the fire, especially on offense. Andy Reid's complex offensive system requires some mental mastery, and they usually keep young pass catchers on a short leash at first.
Even so, watching training camp darling Cyrus Allen be a non-factor through the first three games of the season has been somewhat surprising and certainly disappointing. That's especially given the team's woes at the position.
Cyrus Allen needs to be given more snaps and opportunities to make an impact for the Chiefs offense
Rookies don't always get an opportunity to shine when they play for championship contenders. That said, it's not like the Chiefs have many players to lean on at wide receiver; their production has actually been quite mediocre.
Rashee Rice finally had a strong game in Week 3, but they haven't gotten anything from Xavier Worthy or Tyquan Thornton. So, after watching Allen turn heads in training camp and the preseason, why not give him a shot?
Chiefs wide receivers coach Chad O'Shea had nothing but good things to say about the rookie and his progress. Even so, he also reaffirmed the fact that Allen would have to keep putting in the work to get his chance:
“I like his progress, I'm very excited about his future, and if he just continues to work and make those small improvements, then I think we're gonna be real happy in the end with Cyrus,” he said (h/t KC Sports Network).
Allen, like fellow rookie Emmett Johnson, looked like a legitimate draft steal and a Day 1 contributor. Johnson has gotten a fair amount of run, but Allen has only been targeted once and has only played a handful of snaps on offense.
It's still early in the season, but after watching two full seasons of Xavier Worthy, it's hard to believe he'll give them much more than what he's shown thus far. If it weren't for Travis Kelce turning back the clock, the Chiefs probably wouldn't have anything to show for in the passing game.
Having the best quarterback in the game can only take you so far. Patrick Mahomes is a generational talent and a future first-ballot Hall of Famer, but it's not like he can catch his own passes. With this underwhelming set of weapons, giving the rookie a chance won't hurt.
For now, it looks like Allen will just have to put his head down and get to work. But with Rice, Thornton, and Worthy combining for a grand total of 361 receiving yards in three games, the bar isn't particularly high.
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