3 realistic receiver options for Chiefs ahead of 2023 trade deadline
The NFL trade deadline is just around the corner on Tuesday, Oct. 31 at 3:00 p.m. CT. The Kansas City Chiefs have already made one trade to reinforce their offense, and they could soon even trade an injured player away. Will they acquire another player, though? They find themselves in a bit of a bind after a Week […]
The NFL trade deadline is just around the corner on Tuesday, Oct. 31 at 3:00 p.m. CT.
The Kansas City Chiefs have already made one trade to reinforce their offense, and they could soon even trade an injured player away. Will they acquire another player, though?
They find themselves in a bit of a bind after a Week 8 loss to the Denver Broncos. They're still tied for the best record in the AFC at 6-2 through eight weeks of play. Yet, it feels they need to add another steady receiving threat opposite Travis Kelce and Rashee Rice. It seems especially prudent with competitors around the league beefing up their teams via free agency and trade.
The Chiefs currently have $3.2 million in available cap space according to the NFLPA's Public Salary Cap report. Ideally, they would clear some cap space by restructuring contacts, but technically they can acquire a player without doing so. For bigger contracts, they'd need a team to eat some remaining base salary, which typically means paying a premium to acquire a player. The most likely scenario if a trade occurs: Brett Veach will look to acquire a player with a lower base salary in 2023.
Who fits the Chiefs' needs on the field
Before I jump into some options Kansas City could explore, I want to consider fit. Right now, it feels like the Chiefs have a lot of square pegs that they're trying to fit in a round hole. They have a ton of receivers who could thrive in the slot, yet they're playing them outside with greater frequency. A receiver who can win 1-on-1 on the back side in the 3×1 formations they like to run seems ideal. Whereas a guy like Panthers WR Adam Thielen, who has 223 snaps in the slot this season, probably won't help fix that problem. Who will?
Washington Commanders WR Terry McLaurin
McLaurin is my No. 1 choice for the Chiefs. Not only does his base salary fit in 2023, but he's under contract through 2025 and is only 28 years old. He has 276 snaps outside this season, which is the second-highest mark in the NFL. He's working under Eric Bieniemy, so there will be some element of crossover in offensive concepts, schemes, and terminology. He has 42 receptions on the year for 495 yards and two touchdowns.
Carolina Panthers WR DJ Chark
The Chiefs were linked to Chark in each of the past two offseasons before he landed with the Lions and Panthers on short-term deals. He's a fit from both a financial and on-field perspective for Kansas City, and the Panthers are likely to be sellers at the trade deadline. 197 of his snaps have come outside for Carolina this season. The 6-foot-3 and 200-pound wideout would add a nice size element for the Chiefs receiver corps. The only real concern is that the 27-year-old has just 15 receptions on 31 targets for 220 yards and two touchdowns on the season.
Arizona Cardinals WR Marquise Brown
Brown is quietly a really good option for Kansas City from an on-field fit, but he's not a good fit from a financial perspective. The Cardinals would need to take on some of his 2023 salary (over $13 mil) and that means the Chiefs would likely have to give up more draft capital than they want. On the flip side, he's been a trusted target for Josh Dobbs so far this season. He has 244 snaps aligned wide with 38 receptions for 416 yards and four touchdowns.
Former Chiefs receiver hints team shouldn’t have traded him
The Kansas City Chiefs caught some shade from a former player after Sunday’s loss to the Denver Broncos.
