Whether by aggressively trading up, or standing pat, the Kansas City Chiefs must continue to bolster Patrick Mahomes‘ supporting cast during the NFL Draft.
Sure, the Chiefs survived fielding a receiving corps that led the league in dropped passes, and Mahomes‘ heroics against the San Francisco 49ers delivered a second consecutive Lombardi, but, if Kansas City is going to make history as the league’s first three-peat champion the receiving corps needs serious help.
Even after signing Marquise “Hollywood Brown” in free agency, it wouldn’t be the least bit surprising to see Chiefs GM Brett Veach look to add a receiver early in the NFL Draft.
Kansas City Chiefs’ Ideal NFL Draft Target Revealed
While the Chiefs are well out of reach for Ohio State’s game-changer Marvin Harrison Jr., or LSU’s speedy Malik Nabers, Kansas City could still walk away with an explosive pass-catcher in the first round.
Bleacher Report’s Ryan Fowler went through and projected the ideal fits for all 32 teams in the first round, listing LSU receiver Brian Thomas Jr. as the Chiefs’ top target.
“While the team added Marquise Brown and has a long list of rotational pieces present,” Fowler writes for B/R. “Presenting the frame of Thomas for Patrick Mahomes to feed with targets is an intriguing prospect.
“Although Thomas was primarily used as a vertical threat at LSU, evolving at multiple depths while displaying an increased willingness to mix it up as a run-blocker will see his game evolve rapidly.”
At 6-foot-4 and 205 pounds, Thomas Jr., caught 86 passes for 1,777 yards with 17 touchdowns, while averaging an eye-popping 17.3 yards per reception. It’s easy to envision Thomas stretching the field on the perimeter, but the reality is his size and frame give him the potential to win matchups from the slot and dominate in the red zone for Mahomes and the Chiefs.Brian Thomas Jr. Scouting Report
Thomas more than proved himself as a first-round talent during his career in Baton Rouge.
Across three collegiate seasons, against premier SEC competition, Thomas caught 127 passes for 1,897 yards with 24 touchdowns. Thomas would be right at home in the Chiefs’ arsenal around Mahomes.
“Presents an appealing combination of size, length and speed,” NFL Media’s Lance Zierlein writes of Thomas Jr. “With experience working inside and outside. Thomas will occasionally go through the motions as a route-runner, but the bend, athleticism and speed needed to get better are all in the toolbox.
“He’s elusive against press and can uncover quickly underneath, but he still needs to improve intermediate routes and play a little more physically when crowded to become well-rounded.”
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