Despite having a squad that many thought unfinished heading into the 2023 season, Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs once again outperformed everyone in the NFL Playoffs on their way to their third Super Bowl in five years.
This was a new kind of Chiefs squad, one that relied largely on a strong defence and timely playmaking from Mahomes, Travis Kelce, and a few role players on offence. Despite winning it all, the Chiefs must keep adding components to maintain their supremacy, which begins with Round 1 of the NFL Draft on Thursday.
Once again, wide receiver appears to be Kansas City’s greatest need. Despite signing Marquise Brown in free agency, the team remains lacking at the position.
They have yet to re-sign Marquez Valdes-Scantling or Mecole Hardman, two players who played key roles in the Super Bowl. Rashee Rice, the great rookie from last year, is dealing with major legal difficulties and is expected to face a multi-game suspension regardless of what happens in his legal case.
This would leave Mahomes with just Brown and a few below-average receivers. With alternatives like Adonai Mitchell, Ladd McConkey, and Xavier Worthy potentially available at pick 32, Kansas City must provide insurance for themselves and their iconic quarterback at wide out.
They’ve gone defence with their first pick in the last three drafts and haven’t taken a wide receiver in the first round since 2011, but that looks set to change on Thursday night.
