Who are we to doubt Big Red?
The Chiefs moved on from Tyreek Hill this offseason after the two sides reportedly couldn’t agree on a new deal. That, though, is no issue for Andy Reid and Patrick Mahomes
Even with a reworked wide receiver room, Mahomes and the Chiefs’ offense didn’t seem to skip a beat in Week 1 vs. the Cardinals. Mahomes found Travis Kelce for eight receptions for 121 yards and a touchdown, while Isiah Pacheco and Clyde Edwards-Helaire controlled the ground game.
But the wide receiver room was also used in interesting ways. With four out of the five receivers at the top of the depth chart new to Kansas City’s receiving room this year, Reid showcased signature versatility with the new group to replace Hill and keep defenses guessing.
MORE: NFL power rankings — Where do Chiefs stand entering Week 2?
Mahomes found nine different receivers on Sunday for a reception, and with no true No. 1 out on the field, there’s real opportunity for the Chiefs to take advantage of defenses every week with another
Well, Mahomes said as much recently.
“The biggest thing is there’s going to be a different player every single game that has the big game,” Mahomes said prior to Week 1. “It’s not going to be just necessarily Tyreek and Travis every single week, where it’s like one or the other having a big game or both. Every single week, it’s going to be someone different.
“So I’m sorry to all you fantasy football guys. It’s going to come from everywhere, so you’re going to have to kind of choose the right guy every week.”
Apology accepted?
Here’s how the Chiefs deploy their wideouts:
Chiefs WR depth chart
The Chiefs have totally rebuilt their wide receiver room for 2022: They only return Mecole Hardman from their 2022 roster, with four new pass catchers in
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1. JuJu Smith-Schuster
Week 1 targets/receptions: 8/6
Smith-Schuster was the highest profile signing of the Chiefs this offseason, and it came at something of a discount: Smith-Schuster got a one-year “prove-it” deal to rebuild his value at $3.76 million, this after an injury ended his regular season in 2021.
Smith-Schuster was targeted eight times in Week 1, which should be an encouraging sign. He grabbed six passes for 79 yards, but didn’t touch paydirt. Smith-Schuster will be used predominantly in the mid-range game, so don’t expect him to catch deep balls often.
Schuster was deployed both out wide (14 snaps at left wide receiver, 14 snaps at right wide receiver) and in the slot (18 snaps), so watch for Andy Reid to continue to use Smith-Schuster all over the field, and for Mahomes to continue developing chemistry with him as the season progresses.
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2. Marquez Valdes-Scantling
Week 1 targets/receptions: 4/4
From Aaron Rodgers to Patrick Mahomes, MVS is living quite the dream for wide receivers across the NFL.
In Week 1, though, Valdes-Scantling’s work load was a bit limited. He was targeted four times in the matchup, with three of those targets coming short (0-9 yards) range.
Valdes-Scantling gained 21 yards after the catch after the short-yardage throws, so he made the most out of gaining some yardage in those spots.
In his career with the Packers, MVS has worked well as a deep threat, so it is a little surprising to see him work underneath. But it is just a single week, so there’s a good chance he’s worked as a deep receiver more throughout the season.
3. Mecole Hardman
Week 1 targets/receptions: 6/3
Hardman operated predominantly out of the slot in Week 1 (23 snaps in the slot vs. 15 out wide) which is in line with about how much he was used in previous years. He’s also the only receiver to get targeted deep: He had two throws go his way in Week 1 at 20-plus yards, but neither were completed.
Hardman should still fit that everyman role within the offense, either as a shifty player in short range or a threat down the field.
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4. Skyy Moore
Week 1 targets/receptions: 1/1
Moore was a sneaky-good pick for the Chiefs in the second round of the 2022 NFL Draft, but it’s going to be a while before he’s a pure target for Mahomes if Week 1 was an indicator.
Moore was only used on 13 total offensive snaps in Week 1, but was PFF’s highest graded rookie with a 91.6 overall grade. He’s a shifty, quick and a polished route runner and should ascend up the Chiefs’ depth chart this year. Expect him to develop a real rapport with Mahomes, as his ability to stay in sync with the quarterback and bail him out of tough spots will
QB Patrick Mahomes connects with rookie WR Skyy Moore for a 30-yard pickup. #ChiefsKingdom pic.twitter.com/DSGCaGEW5b
— Devon Clements (@DevclemNFL) September 11, 2022
Moore might not have game-breaking speed, but he’s plenty fast enough (clocked at a 4.41 40-yard dash at the 2022 NFL combine), and working in an offense that prioritizes route running, separation and improvisation over pure physical traits
5. Justin Watson
Week 1 targets/receptions: 1/0
Watson was signed as a depth body, and only had one target in Week 1. Don’t expect a whole lot from him moving forward, especially with the four in front of him on the depth chart, as well as the running backs and Travis Kelce.