Patrick Mahomes names Chiefs WR who will be 'called upon more'

The Kansas City Chiefs traded Tyreek Hill to the Miami Dolphins last season but found ways to replace him en route to a Super Bowl win. A year later, one of those key pieces that filled the void is gone in JuJu Smith-Schuster, who's now with the New England Patriots. 

The Chiefs aren't sweating Smith-Schuster's departure. In fact, head coach Andy Reid and QB Patrick Mahomes believe they have an adequate replacement in second-year WR Skyy Moore.

Moor was drafted in Round 2 of the 2022 NFL Draft after a great 2021 season at Western Michigan where he put up 95 receptions for 1,292 yards and ten touchdowns. As a rookie for the Chiefs last year, Moore had 22 receptions for 250 yards, including a four-yard TD reception in the Super Bowl versus the Philadelphia Eagles.

Moore's path to playing time is more clear this season. And now that he's been in Kansas City's system for a year, Reid and Mahomes expect big things out of Moore. 

"I think he’s taking a good jump," Reid said, per The Athletic. "The quarterback trusts him."

Moore believes he has the "hang of everything" and knows what Mahomes likes, saying "I’m going to be a reliable weapon for him." 

Mahomes concurs with Moore's assessment and thinks he could be utilized in a way similar to that of Smith-Schuster. That would include snaps in the slot while running slant routes and shallow crossers. However, Moore's production won't be relegated to between the hashes, he can play outside and stretch the field as well. Mahomes called Moore a "great player" who began to make big plays at the end of last season. 

"He’s someone that’s going to be called upon more, kind of in that same role that probably JuJu was in," Mahomes shared. "He can also go over the top and make plays happen.”

It's been a spoil of riches for the Chiefs on offense during the Andy Reid era. They consistently find electric playmakers to accentuate the greatness of Mahomes. While Reid said "There's still a ton of room to climb" for Moore, it feels like he's well on his way.