First off, I’m operating under the assumption that we’ve seen Tyreek Hill play his final snap in KC as of right now. And barring unforeseen news to come, that is how it needs to be. If you choose to believe otherwise, that’s your call. But for the sake of being realistic, Hill is a goner.
I won’t understate that blow. He’s been the most explosive playmaker in the NFL for 2-3 years now. He changes the game unlike anyone else. He will not be replaced.
But that doesn’t mean that this team can’t find other ways to get back on track. So here is what I am looking at heading into Friday night:
1. Mahomes means we’re still in a good spot
Let us not forget that Patrick looked ****ing awesome in his first start in Denver with nothing but backups around him. He basically got Albert Wilson a 50% raise that day, I would say. Things will get tougher for him and the offense now, but he can still carry us to being a top 10 offense at minimum. We still have some star playmakers on the roster and an above average offensive line. Now onto the draft....
2. Lots of good, athletic receivers left
Here is a list of some of the best WR prospects remaining along with their 40-yard dash times to the right. I think Andy will want to add a field stretching WR to this roster in order to best match up with Mahomes, so speed is very important:
- Parris Campbell (4.31)
- Andy Isabella (4.31)
- Mecole Hardman (4.33)
- D.K. Metcalf (4.33)
- Terry McClaurin (4.35)
- Emmanuel Hall (4.39)
- Darius Slayton (4.39)
- Myles Boykin (4.42 and some FREAKY agility times as well)
- Hakeem Butler (4.48)
- Deebo Samuel (4.48 and just a stud in general)
- A.J. Brown (4.49, stud player like Samuel)
Point being, there are some really athletic players left at WR who, while not close to Hill, could still come in day one and present a vertical threat for Mahomes and Andy to work with.
3. Lots of good corners and safeties remain as well
Another huge need that has some depth here on day two... here are some solid players available:
- Byron Murphy
- Greedy Williams
- Amani Oruwariye
- Rock Ya-Sin
- Joejuan Williams
- Sean Bunting
- Justin Layne
- Julian Love
- Trayvon Mullen
- Lonnie Johnson Jr.
- Nasir Adderley
- Chauncey Gardner-Johnson
- Taylor Rapp
- Juan Thornhill
And even a few more who could make an impact potentially from day one. If the Chiefs want to build up the defense even more to take pressure off of the offense this year, options remain...
4. Possible established trade targets?
I doubt it happens but we’ve still got possible veteran fixes out there such as Patrick Peterson or A.J. Green... not sure if their teams would trade them right now, but its possible... and even if not, they may do so during the summer.
So tonight, the Chiefs should have a great chance to stock up on talent that can help immediately in 2019. They could go WR/CB/TE straight up, they could take two WRs even to hedge their bets there with a DB or TE later, or they could use picks to go get an established veteran today... who really knows.
This team isn’t dead yet, though. Let’s see where things are later. Even with Hill on his way out, Kansas City can reset and contend with the right moves, IMO. [Reply]
Originally Posted by The Franchise:
Two rookie WRs isn't going to do a ton for this offense. Draft one and if you still don't think it's enough....go find a veteran.
That would be my position. Draft 1 and look to sign probably Crabtree or Inman. But the nothing there with the investigation look and then the Tyreke bomb hitting probably torched their original draft strategy and putting this team together, . [Reply]
Mahomes will take care of team motivation issues his way. He has the support and the 'backup' to make it his team and 'his way' or the highway. IMHO [Reply]
Agree with OP. We are not done for yet and we need to follow through with the draft - let the cards fall as they may and reassess after the fact. Still plenty of time to see what is what at the end of it all before going into the season. [Reply]
Originally Posted by pugsnotdrugs19:
Hardman is my favorite so far. WOW. Some serious speed there and athleticism. Seems to run good routes and tracks the ball fine. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=l-vEh0APdVU
Originally Posted by Sweet Daddy Hate:
Take ONE guy, the very best you can find, whose known specialty is intermediate to long routes and hope for the best.
No, he won't be Hill, he won't even be 1st round talent, but it will have to work. We have the short yardage personnel and game covered. What Hill gave us was the ability to go deep and succeed in doing so. And if we can't get that option back in to the play book, then we've lost a MAJOR component to our passing game.
We DO NOT want to limit ourselves to short field passing games and shoot-outs. If we do, we will not have the same success.
Well everyone, did we accomplish the goal tonight or what?... I sure think so.
Here’s the deal, IMO:
Hardman isn’t Hill and that’s okay. He’s not supposed to be. He’s actually going to step in and probably be our #2/3 WR this year. He’ll probably return punts. The odds are long, but we really need Watkins to earn his keep in 2019 as our true #1 WR (although Kelce is obviously the primary option). Take some pressure off this kid in particular.
Long term, I think Mecole has DeSean Jackson/T.Y Hilton upside. With the perfect match along side Mahomes and Reid, he’s got a real shot to get there. But that shouldn’t be expected in year one. The best we can realistically hope for in 2019 is that we just acquired a true down field threat who will score a handful of 50+ yard TDs possibly. That vertical threat element remains to some degree due to Hardman.
Thornhill should immediately start at FS and be a great add. Saunders is going to provide some push on the interior in relief of Nnadi, and he has great long term potential next to Jones.
We ain’t done yet, but this was a great night to put us back en route toward that ultimate goal. [Reply]