The Kansas City Chiefs once again look like one of the top contenders in the AFC, but they’re not necessarily doing it the same way. Star tight end Travis Kelce is managing a knee issue, and no one has emerged in the passing game as another primary option for star quarterback Patrick Mahomes.
Danny Parkins and Andrew Fillipponi of the Audacy original podcast “1st & Pod” speculated that the Chiefs could be looking to acquire a wide receiver ahead of the NFL trade deadline on Oct. 31.
“If you had to bet on it, who’s going to be the second-best playmaker or do you think it could be they play four playoff games and it’s four different guys in all four games?” Parkins asked (20:55 in player above). “Or is someone going to emerge?”
“I don’t think they have a receiver after Kelce. (Kadarius) Toney in the preseason looked like he was going to be the guy, he sucks. (Marquez Valdes-Scantling) is invisible. (Justin) Watson makes plays downfield but that’s about it,” Fillipponi replied. “Tony Romo’s going on and on about Justin Ross (on Sunday). The guy’s undrafted out of Clemson. Social media loves the guy, he makes a couple of catches. (Rashee) Rice catches touchdowns in primetime games. Skyy Moore’s been a bust to me; I thought he was going to be much better than what he’s been.
“To me, they’re a candidate to trade for somebody’s wide receiver.”
Kelce leads the way for the Chiefs with 27 catches on 37 targets despite missing a game. Rashee Rice and Kadarius Toney have combined for 31 catches on 43 targets out wide with Justin Watson and Skyy Moore as depth options.
A trade could very well be in the cards for the Chiefs.
“That’s kind of where I was going,” Parkins said. “Maybe it wouldn’t happen in division, but if Denver wants to really bottom out, Jerry Jeudy? If it’s the best defense and the best offensive line and the last year of Kelce being great, it feels like next year’s second-round pick for a good wide receiver on a bad team is a trade worth making if you’re Kansas City.”
Jeudy, 24, was the 15th overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft. He hit career-highs in receptions (67), yards (972) and touchdowns (six) last season on a 5-12 Broncos team. If Denver is looking to move Jeudy, the Chiefs could be a good fit.
There are still a few weeks until the deadline, however, and the Chiefs see Jeudy and the Broncos on Thursday night and then again in Week 8, just two days before the deadline.
“I’m sure they’ll give it another couple of weeks. They don’t need to be desperate. Their team’s awesome and there’s no juggernaut in the AFC,” Parkins said. “But the style points thing would matter a little bit to me in the passing game. I’m just surprised nothing’s happened from there.”