Chiefs Wide Receivers In 2022

Patrick Mahomes has a new offense to lead after losing one of his main targets since entering the league. What should we expect besides Travis Kelce leading the pack?

Chiefs Offseason

The Chiefs traded their star wide receiver Tyreek Hill to the Miami Dolphins after contract extension negotiations failed.

Byron Pringle hit free agency and was signed by the Bears.

Chiefs Players’ Bio

These are the main wide receivers entering the 2022 season for the Chiefs:

Juju Smith-Schuster – 6’1″, 215 lb, Steelers 2nd round pick in 2017.

Marquez Valdes-Scantling – 6’4″, 206 lb, Packers 5th round pick in 2018.

Mecole Hardman – 5’10”, 187 lb, Chiefs 2nd round pick in 2019.

Skyy Moore – 5’10”, 195 lb, Chiefs 2nd round pick in 2022.

Justyn Ross – 6’4″, 205 lb, Chiefs undrafted free agent in 2022.

Juju Smith-Schuster

Juju is the most tenured NFL veteran among the names in this article, about to start his 6th pro year. As a Steeler, he broke out in 2018, in the shadow of the great Antonio Brown, surpassing 1,400 receiving yards and scoring 7 times. He’s been struggling with injuries and underwhelming performances ever since becoming their main wideout.

The Chiefs got him at a bargain (1 year / US$ 3.2M minimum / US$ 10.75M maximum) in a prove-it deal.

Marquez Valdes-Scantling

MVS, the best ball darling, spent 4 years in Green Bay being nothing more than a field-stretcher with low volume behind Davante Adams. In KC, he should replay his deep-threat role with another franchise QB.

Mecole Hardman

Hardman was selected by the Chiefs in the 2019 draft amidst investigations of possible domestic violence involving Tyreek Hill:

Hill eventually escaped trial and the leagues have not found reasons to discipline him. So Mecole could not realize his full potential as a possible replacement for the star wide receiver.

Now, without Tyreek, Hardman could be this guy in a contract year, although facing a crowded room.

Skyy Moore

Moore seems to be the real investment the Chiefs have made to replace Tyreek Hill: similar build, high draft capital, and a strong 2021 season in college. We shouldn’t expect year-end WR1 numbers, but he will contribute to this offense from day 1.

Justyn Ross

Ross is seen as a player with very high potential. Second to Tee Higgins in Clemson’s passing offense, he showed great skills and production before discovering a neck/spine injury that sidelined him for the 2020 season.

He eventually got back for 2021, playing with an injured foot (you can read the whole Ross story here, it’s worth a shot), which he operated on before the NFL Draft.

His toughness and skills allowed him to be recruited by the Chiefs as an undrafted free agent. Now he has the chance to prove why he was considered one of the best prospects in America.

The Travis Kelce Effect

Kelce was the target leader in KC for six straight years (2016-2020). He was second to Tyreek Hill in 2021, but should easily regain the leadership. And, in this period, he has never had less than 21% of the target share, which means there’s a clear ceiling for the wide receivers.

Who To Pick Among The Chiefs Wide Receivers?

This is a tough question, but we can pick each one based on their respective roles and range of outcomes.

Juju should be the most targeted of this group, which makes him a solid flex with an upside.

MVS has many scenarios to fit in: from zero points to a big game in which de catches a long touchdown. Best ball stash.

Mecole Hardman is the player who best knows Andy Reid’s playbook by now, which makes him a valuable asset to the team. However, it’s unlikely that he increases his role in the offense, making him more of a waiver wire pick in a deep league.

Skyy Moore is my favorite to be the team’s WR2 (therefore third target), so he’s a flex with less season-end appeal than Juju.

Justyn Ross has a long shot to prove his worth in the team and, in my opinion, is a dynasty stash.

Check out my 15 values per round this season!