3 Chiefs Veterans Who Will Be Cut Following the NFL Draft
Winning the Super Bowl means having one of the last picks in each round of the draft, but that didn't stop the Kansas City Chiefs from assembling a solid class last week. The Chiefs left Detroit with seven new rookies in their possessions, headlined by former Texas wide receiver Xavier Worthy, who was taken 28th overall following a trade with the Buffalo Bills.
The incoming rookies will challenge several veterans for their 53-man roster spots this summer. While some returning Chiefs are locks to help challenge for a three-peat next season, others' future is up in the air following uneventful and uninspiring 2023 performances.
With that in mind, here are three Chiefs veterans who are cut candidates following the 2024 NFL Draft.
1. Kadarius Toney, WR
Kadarius Toney was on the hot seat heading into the NFL Draft and the temperature only rose higher with the addition of Worthy, as well as undrafted rookie WR Reggie Brown.
If Toney at least had a decent 2023 performance, I could see his return being guaranteed. Unfortunately, that wasn't the case. The 25-year-old pass-catcher was a non-factor in the Chiefs' success last season, registering just 27 catches for 169 yards and a touchdown in 13 games. For reference, he posted a 16-171-2 stat line in nine appearances back in 2022.
Not only is it hard to trust Toney based on his on-field performance, but he's become somewhat of an off-field distraction, too.
Back in January, the former Florida Gator took to Instagram and allegedly accused the Chiefs of lying about his injury situation. Although he eventually walked back his comments, saying they were actually about the New York Giants, not every Kansas City fan buys his excuse — especially since he was a healthy scratch at Super Bowl LVIII.
If we assume that Rashee Rice does play at some point next season, Toney is likely competing with the likes of Skyy Moore, Justyn Ross, Anthony Miller, and more for the WR5/6 spots. Based on how his performances tend to decline each year, I won't be shocked if Toney is on the wrong side of the roster bubble going forward.