One Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver struggled on Thursday while another wide receiver excelled.
Marquez Valdes-Scantling, one of the Chiefs’ offseason additions, dropped numerous passes on Thursday morning. According to ESPN’s Adam Teicher, it’s an issue that’s plagued Valdes-Scantling throughout training camp.
Marquez Valdes-Scantling just dropped two deep balls in a 10-play offensive period. Drops have been a thing for him at camp even before today
— Adam Teicher (@adamteicher) August 4, 2022
Valdes-Scantling struggled with drops early in his career, but he made vast improvements last season. In 2021, Valdes-Scantling had 0 drops according to Pro Football Focus.
It’s certainly concerning that Valdes-Scantling is struggling with drops this summer. But there are two reasons why Chiefs fans shouldn’t freak out.
- Cincinnati Bengals Ja’Marr Chase badly struggled with drops during training camp last year before going on to have the best season ever by a rookie wide receiver.
- Valdes-Scantling showed major improvement last season, which means we know he can get past this issue when the games start.
Now for the good news.
Wide receiver Mecole Hardman was praised on Thursday for “catching everything thrown his way”.
Mecole Hardman is having a day. He’s caught everything thrown his way today, including a deep TD to begin the latest team period.
— Matt McMullen (@KCChiefs_Matt) August 4, 2022
Hardman has been a consistent player for the Chiefs during his first three years in the NFL. But as a speedy wide receiver, he’s played second fiddle to Tyreek Hill.
With Hill now in Miami, it gives Hardman an opportunity to break out in a big way.
The former Georgia Bulldogs standout is off to a good start in camp. Now he just has to continue this momentum into the regular season.
Featured image via Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
