Patrick Mahomes, Kadarius Toney Nov 13, 2022; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) celebrates with wide receiver Kadarius Toney (19) after a touchdown during the first half against the Jacksonville Jaguars at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports
FeaturedNFLOriginalsBy Michael Grant on

We’re running out of superlatives to describe Patrick Mahomes. He’ll turn 28 in September, and he’s already off to one of the greatest starts for a quarterback we’ve ever seen.

Last season, Mahomes was the regular-season MVP and Super Bowl MVP without a true No. 1 wide receiver. This upcoming season could be more of the same. That’s based on what we know today.

The Kansas City Chiefs have arguably the NFL’s most intriguing collection of wideouts. If you’re an optimist, they have youth and speed. If you’re a pessimist, they don’t have an established threat worthy of a double team.

Assuming the Chiefs don’t bring in a veteran (DeAndre Hopkins?), Mahomes will have to make do with Kadarius Toney, Skyy Moore, Rashee Rice, Marquez Valdes-Scantling, and (possibly) Justyn Ross, etc. Among those, only Valdes-Scantling was in the starting lineup in last year’s season opener. The good news for Kansas City- Mahomes trusts Toney and Moore, who both caught touchdowns in the Super Bowl victory over the Philadelphia Eagles. But now they will be asked to do more. A lot more.

Toney is intriguing. He was acquired in a midseason trade with the New York Giants last year. After looking like an injury-plagued bust, the 2021 first-round draft choice scored three touchdowns (two receiving, one rushing in seven regular-season games with the Chiefs after failing to reach the end zone in 12 games with the Giants). Also, his 65-yard punt return was the longest in Super Bowl history. Imagine how much more impactful Toney will be with a full off-season.

Moore is another fresh-faced talent who needs to improve. Kansas City drafted him in the second round last year to help fill the void created when Tyreek Hill was traded in a salary-cap move.  No one expected Moore to replicate Hill, but they expected better than 22 catches for 250 yards and no scores in the regular season. But after early disappointing, he made important postseason contributions. He had a 29-yard punt return to set up the Chiefs’ game-winning field goal against the Cincinnati Bengals in the AFC Championship Game. In the Super Bowl, he scored his first career touchdown in the fourth-quarter score on a busted play. Like Toney, Moore has all the physical talent. He just needs to be consistent.

The biggest unknowns are Rice and Ross- two guys who haven’t played a professional down. Kansas City traded up to grab Rice, the team’s second-round pick in April. At, 6-foot-1, 203 pounds, Rice is compact and has similar size to JuJu Smith-Schuster (6-1, 216), who left as a free agent. Smith-Schuster (78 catches, 933 yards, three touchdowns) was the Chiefs’ leading wide receiver last year. There’s the possibility that Rice could fill his role in the slot. He isn’t fast, but his vertical jump and ability to make contested catches could be a factor.

While Rice is virtually assured of making the 53-man roster, Ross faces a tough road. The Chiefs have other options (such as veterans Richie James and Justin Watson). But Ross is a sentimental favorite. The former Clemson star went undrafted in 2022 due to injury setbacks. He looked like a future NFL star when he was a healthy freshman in college.

There you have it. Kansas City will try to repeat as the Super Bowl champion with a lot of questions at wide receiver. For any other team, it would be a concern. However, Mahomes improved last year because he spread the ball around to his wideouts, making the Chiefs a little less predictable. This year, it might be even harder to stop an offense that led the league in scoring (29.2 points per game).

In late May, Mahomes said, “I think we’re deep. I think that’s the biggest thing.”

About Michael Grant

Born in Jamaica. Grew up in New York City. Lives in Louisville, Ky. Sports writer. Not related to Ulysses S. Grant, Anthony Grant, Amy Grant or Hugh Grant.

View all posts by Michael Grant