The Kansas City Chiefs are in a difficult situation entering the 2024 NFL Draft. They still have several needs, but they could easily go with any of them in the first two rounds. As for wide receiver, they signed Hollywood Brown to the roster in free agency, but they could be facing a suspension with Rashee Rice to begin 2024.
After signing Mike Danna to a long-term deal, the Chiefs no longer need an edge rusher early in the draft. They could also go offensive tackle with their first pick but still have a chance to bring back Donovan Smith. There are so many different things the Chiefs could do in round one.
But we have talked about that enough. Round two is just as important, and the uncertainty there is also looming. What the Chiefs do in the first round has an effect on what they do in the second round. As things currently stand, I’m willing to bet the Chiefs go with either a wide receiver or offensive tackle in the second round.
If they were to go with a wide receiver, they should target three guys, particularly at the beginning of day two.
Javon Baker, UCF
Baker is one of my favorite guys in this draft class. He has great YAC ability, speed, and contested catch, and he always seems to be open. He is a guy who could give the Chiefs exactly what they need, especially if Rashee Rice ends up missing some games. The Chiefs will need a guy like him regardless, and they can build their future and the wide receiver corps around two guys who have elite traits and will only get better.
According to A to Z Sports’ Big Board, Baker is the 87th overall prospect and 16th overall wide receiver in the class. That sounds bad, but that’s just how deep this class is. He is projected to be a middle-third-round pick. Here are some of his strengths and weaknesses:
STRENGTHS
Good size & length for an X-WR
High-points difficult contested targets & always catches away from his frame
Sinks hips & decelerates efficiently
Plays with an ideal competitive edge
Creative & nuanced route runner with aggressive salesmanship
Uses rocker steps to manipulate CBs’ hips
Flashed power & elusiveness after the catch
Diverse release package & multiple answers for press
Unbothered by physicality at the route or catch point
Can track over his shoulder & secure the ball in tight pockets
WEAKNESSES
Lacks 2nd gear to out-stride CBs vertically
Struggles with focus drops
11.4% career drop rate
Needs to trim the fat off of some of his releases
Inconsistent focus & physicality at the catch point, despite flashes of dominance
Takes plays off when he isn’t the primary read
Ja’Lynn Polk, Washington
Polk is one of the many amazing wide receivers the Washington Huskies had last season. Of course, his skill set gets a bit overshadowed by his teammate, who was the best wide receiver in college football last season in Rome Odunze. But Polk is a very good player himself.
On our big board, Polk is the 59th overall prospect and the 14th wide receiver. But, even though these are second-round wide receivers, don’t let that scare you. This draft is insanely deep at the position. Polk is good, and he could be good for the Chiefs. Here are some of the strengths and weaknesses that he would bring to the team:
STRENGTHS
Changes route tempo to set up his breaks
Has the agility & quick reaction to slip by quick jams at the LOS
Above-average body control & ball-tracking skills
Hands-catcher
Makes crisp lateral cuts. Accelerates out of horizontal breaks & extends separation
Works back to the quarterback to create safer passing windows
Explodes out of skip-steps to separate vs. flat-footed CBs
High-effort run blocker
WEAKNESSES
Lacks elite size or athletic traits
Struggles to disengage from press if CBs land their punch
Clunky double moves & lateral transitions
Rough 2-game stretch (W12-13) to end the season, with ten targets & 0 receptions
He struggles to sink his hips on stop routes. Extra steps give defenders a chance to close space
Doesn’t win with his body or box defenders out
Physical man coverage will disrupt his route timing
Devontez Walker, UNC
Walker is a wide receiver, which not many are talking about, but he has the tools to be a really good player at the next level. He played with a quarterback in Drake Maye and greatly benefited from that style of play. He could do the same with Patrick Mahomes.
On our big board, Walker is the 104th prospect in the draft and the 20th wide receiver in the class. However, because of his great 83 athletic score of a possible 100, I think he could go higher than the 100 area. He has some really good traits that would benefit the Chiefs. Take a look at his strengths and weaknesses:
STRENGTHS
Excellent speed. He was able to separate vertically vs. every CB he faced
Good ball-tracking skills. Can high-point the ball & run underneath deep targets
Can power through physical/grabby man coverage
Length & frame give him an extended catch radius
Explodes out of double moves & stacks flat-footed CBs
Beat Nate Wiggins (Clemson) down the sideline for a 43-yard reception
WEAKNESSES
Lacks lateral fluidity & route running polish
Rounded & labored horizontal breaks
Very tight hips. Struggles to sink at the top of curls/comebacks
Ineffective after the catch. 2.8 YAC/REC & 2 broken tackles in 2023
Focus drops are a recurring issue
Short-arms contested targets over the middle of the field
Has some highlight contested catches but doesn’t win at the catch point consistently
Limited release package. Primarily uses a speed-release
Didn’t face much press coverage at UNC
The Chiefs are bound to take a wide receiver in this draft. What round they do is the part we don’t know. But these are three guys in the second round who they should target.
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