Two former UDFAs, rookie draft pick among breakout candidates for Kansas City Chiefs offense in 2024
The Kansas City Chiefs will soon resume preparations for the 2024 NFL season in St. Joseph, Missouri for the team's annual training camp. As they kick off their quest for a third consecutive Super Bowl title a whole new wave of players will be tasked with stepping up and contributing in that pursuit. Some of those […]
The Kansas City Chiefs will soon resume preparations for the 2024 NFL season in St. Joseph, Missouri for the team's annual training camp.
As they kick off their quest for a third consecutive Super Bowl title a whole new wave of players will be tasked with stepping up and contributing in that pursuit. Some of those players might not have been in the NFL a season ago, while others were simply waiting to seize their opportunity.
Here's a look at three players on the offensive side of the ball who could be poised to break out in 2024.
TE Jared Wiley
Wiley's experience learning new offenses has him excelling quickly in Kansas City. He was one of the more impressive players during OTAs and mandatory minicamp for the Chiefs. His size makes him a threat in the red zone, but he was also pretty dangerous as a YAC guy with the ball in his hands. Travis Kelce has validated the hype on Wiley at a few different junctures this offseason, but perhaps my favorite comments were about his catch radius. "You put the ball anywhere in his vicinity and he's making the catch," he said. "If you throw a jump ball he can go and get it, if you throw it at the ground or by his toes he can go and get it." It remains to be seen what he can do when the pads come on, but early indications are that Wiley could have a big rookie year in the passing game.
RB Deneric Prince
This time last year, Prince was one of the most promising rookies for the Chiefs. His athleticism was apparent coming out of college. His ability as a pass-catcher and runner in space was on full display during OTAs and mandatory minicamp a season ago, but as soon as the pads came on La'Mical Perine quickly supplanted him on the depth chart. Now, Prince is a year wiser in the system after paying his dues on the practice squad in 2023. If he can play faster during training camp and the preseason, he could quickly establish himself as the No. 3 running back behind Isiah Pacheco and Clyde Edwards-Helaire. His mastery of pass protection schemes could also play a major role in his ability to see the field.
WR Nikko Remigio
I wanted to put Hollywood Brown here, but it's hard to call a wide receiver with a 1,000-yard receiving season a "breakout candidate." With rookie WR Xavier Worthy sidelined through most of OTAs and mandatory minicamp, Remigio was the receiver in Kansas City who took advantage of his opportunities to the fullest. He was targeted frequently by Patrick Mahomes when he played with the first-team offense and earned praise from both his teammates and the coaching staff for his consistency and work ethic. If he can keep it up in training camp and the preseason, he has a real shot to make the 53-man roster and contribute on offense (and special teams).
Chiefs second-year CB Nic Jones training with renowned skills coach Jacory Nichols
Kansas City Chiefs CB Nic Jones is attempting to level up his game in 2024.
