3 Chiefs on Thin Ice Following Narrow Week 5 Win vs. Vikings

It wasn't all rainbows and roses for the Chiefs in a competitive yet sloppy 27-20 win over the Vikings in Week 5. Kansas City sits at 4-1, but concerns persist about several portions of the team, particularly on the offensive end.

We looked at three players that deserve more playing time yesterday but those players can only earn more snaps at someone else's expense. Today, we'll look at the Chiefs trending down.

Here are three struggling Chiefs on thin ice heading into Thursday Night Football against the Broncos:

3 Chiefs on Thin Ice After Week 5

1. Marquez Valdes-Scantling

Quick, who are the Chiefs' six highest-paid players this season?

Patrick Mahomes, Chris Jones, Travis Kelce, Joe Thuney, Justin Reid and then Marquez Valdes-Scantling. MVS is making $11 million this season, yet has quite possibly been the NFL's worst wide receiver to this point.

Despite playing more snaps than any other Chiefs receiver, Valdes-Scantling has just seven receptions on 11 targets for 116 yards through five games. That's not only embarrassing, it's flat-out unacceptable.

Valdes-Scantling's calling card is deep passing plays, but Justin Watson is a far superior option despite making nearly $10 million less this year. His contributions in the AFC Championship game will live forever, though it's obvious he's playing his way out of Kansas City.

It's telling that Valdes-Scantling is averaging just over two targets per game despite the high snap count. He's not creating separation and Mahomes doesn't trust him, instead favoring Watson, Kadarius Toney and the rookie Rashee Rice.

At this point, there's little argument for bringing Valdes-Scantling back next year, though he's not the only receiver wearing out his welcome.