Just In: Chiefs Are Pressed to Go After Former Broncos Wide Receiver

Despite their dramatic offensive comeback against the Las Vegas Raiders, the Kansas City Chiefs could still use additional support at wide receiver following the injuries to Marcell Hardman and Kadarius Toney.

In light of this, the NFL experts at Bleacher Report offered Kansas City a compelling recommendation in their team-by-team analysis of the 13th round.

“B/R wrote: ‘Patrick Mahomes is still developing his young receivers, but it’s on them to step up to the plate.’ Injuries haven’t helped either, and at this point, the options they can add are limited.”

“KJ Hamler is one of the most intriguing out there,” they said, going on to say that “the former second-round pick was released by the Denver Broncos during the summer with a heart issue.”

He has subsequently been cleared and is now on the Indianapolis Colts’ practice squad, which means the Chiefs might entice him with a position on their 53-man roster.

KJ Hamler Could Stretch the Field at WR for Chiefs

Mahomes is currently without a reliable deep threat.Marquez Valdes-Scantling can’t seem to catch the long ball anymore, and Hardman was recently placed on the injured list.

This opens the door for someone like Richie James — or a flier like Hamler.

Hamler’s best moments with the Broncos were on go routes and deep connections, with previous NFL longs of 55 and 49 yards. At the very least, his presence and pace may occasionally stretch the field for KC.

Hamler was dropped by a new coaching staff in Denver, but the former Penn State product is still only 24 years old. He also fits the profile of a Brett Veach experiment, since the Chiefs general manager enjoys taking low-risk bets on talent.

As a rookie in the NFL, Hamler caught 30 catches for 381 yards and three touchdowns in 13 games. He only saw action in 10 games over the next two seasons, totaling 239 receiving yards.

In his prime at Penn State, however, the wideout caught 98 passes in 26 appearances for 1,658 yards and 13 touchdowns. After recovering from his medical setback, KC may be able to tap on some of the speedster’s potential.

Chiefs HC Andy Reid Provides Injury Update on WR Kadarius Toney at Start of Week 13

Hardman will be out for at least three more games, but Toney might return in Week 13. Andy Reid, the Chiefs’ head coach, explained the team’s conservative approach with the WR against the Raiders on Monday, November 27.

“I’m not sure he could have taken a hit, and that’s kind of what it came down to,” Reid said of Toney’s condition for Week 12. “We thought we’d give him time — a short week — give him as much time as he could to progress there, but it just did not work out that way.”

Big Red also stated that Toney’s hip issue, not his ankle, held him out.

While Reid’s news is partially uplifting, it is also troubling. Who’s to say that if Kansas City wasn’t confident that Toney could withstand a hit in a game as rough as football, that will alter in four or five days?

In any case, it’ll be a fascinating situation to watch as the week progresses, and Toney’s persistent availability issues bolster the argument that the Chiefs should explore bringing in some more WR talent – like Hamler or an option.