Chiefs can finally dump draft disappointment if an unlikely candidate emerges

The fact that Skyy Moore is still on the Kansas City Chiefs coming into his contract season could testify to a few things. No matter the reason, however, most members of Chiefs Kingdom might have bet against such an occurrence after watching his first two or three seasons with the franchise.

Only running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire, drafted in the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft, stands as a bigger draft miss than Moore in recent Chiefs' draft history. (The jury is still out on defensive end Felix Anudike-Uzomah.) Yet even CEH made his meaningful contributions here and there.

Moore has averaged 1.2 catches for 13.7 yards per game over the last three seasons for the Chiefs. He has exactly one receiving touchdown to show for all of his efforts, and it's not as if he's not had tremendous opportunities to step up. In fact, the depth chart has been in "dire need" mode for the last two seasons after injuries ravaged the roster and Tyreek Hill was dealt to the Miami Dolphins.

Coming into the 2025 season, Moore is once again contending for a bottom-of-the-depth-chart slot at wideout. Others vying for that sort of slot include Nikko Remigio, Justyn Ross, Tyquan Thornton, and more. While the seat is undoubtedly hot, it looks like Moore might be safer than fans would expect coming into his fourth NFL season.

The Chiefs made moves at wideout and should feel comfortable with the talent on hand. Xavier Worthy, Rashee Rice, and Hollywood Brown form a dynamic nucleus at the position. Jalen Royals is an exciting find in the fourth round of this year's draft, and JuJu Smith-Schuster is a solid returnee who does all the little things well.

The Chiefs are calling on some unlikely candidates to compete with Skyy Moore for a fringe roster spot.

But the Chiefs still have room for more on the roster, and some key competitors are gone. Mecole Hardman is now with the Green Bay Packers after signing a one-year deal in free agency. Justin Watson found a new home with the Houston Texans. Thus, the Chiefs are down to fringe roster candidates that feel like, well, fringe roster candidates.

Thornton is generating buzz in camp, but Ross is on-site evidence that preseason buzz typically doesn't translate to the regular season. Just ask Louis Rees-Zammit or Daurice Fountain or Antonio Callaway or La' Mical Perine. You get the picture.

If the Chiefs are going to part ways with Moore this offseason, it won't be because the Chiefs crowded him out with obvious candidates. Instead, Andy Reid is going to have to become enamored with a hidden gem—a roster castoff like Thornton, a holdover on a last leg like Ross, a developmental talent like Elihjah Badger, an intriguing flyer like Jason Brownlee.

The Chiefs tend to go top-heavy at the wide receiver position, and that's the case once again in 2025. There's an obvious handful of competitors who are already locks for the active roster. From there, the Chiefs seem content to let a group of unlikelies to compete in camp for the last meaningful spot or two.

Moore might hold on for one more year since he's already under contract, and perhaps Brett Veach isn't ready to admit defeat. Of course, everyone would be thrilled if Moore is a late bloomer at the professional level, but it feels like that ship has passed.