Should we believe in the Justyn Ross hype again?

Whomever wins the last couple of spots on the Kansas City Chiefs' wide receiver depth chart will be fascinating. Seemingly every season for the last few years, it has been a major point of emphasis at the beginning and the end of training camp. And once again in 2024, we have some interesting twists and turns to monitor in that part of the roster.

At this point in training camp, Justyn Ross has begun to stir up some fodder. His recent connections with Patrick Mahomes display a potential connection that Kansas City has been missing for years when it comes to the size component. Especially in the red zone and near the goal line, Ross has been able to turn some heads in this year's training camp.

Meanwhile, Kadarius Toney has been banged up yet again, while also receiving reps at running back. Skyy Moore could very well be fighting for his NFL career, let alone making the Chiefs roster this year. And with a possible steady finish to training camp and throughout the preseason, Justyn Ross could very well stake his claim for one of the final wide receiver spots. Is it time to buy into the Ross hype again in Kansas City?

In The Mix

Since joining the Chiefs as an undrafted free agent in 2022, the buzz surrounding Justyn Ross has generally been existent. He was able to make some highlight reel catches in training camp in parts of two years. And in last year's preseason, Ross displayed some adequate results on the field against opposing teams. This fueled him making the 53-man roster in 2023.

However, the reps rarely ever came. Ross was able to make a contested catch against the Minnesota Vikings in Week 5. Outside of that, the excitement from his training camp and the preseason never translated to a concrete role within a porous wide receiver room. Eventually, off the field and legal issues followed him during the middle portion of last season. He was placed on the Commissioner's Exempt List and received a suspension.

While the hype train appeared to largely leave on Justyn Ross, he has worked his way back into the mix this offseason. It has been an up-and-down training camp for some wide receivers. And as can occur, injuries have stifled a couple of pass catchers early on. With Ross continuing to win certain reps, his chances are still intriguing, in terms of making the final roster.

What To Watch For In Preseason Games

You are not going to see Justyn Ross secure a role as a returner. Someone else fighting for a final wide receiver spot, Nikko Remigio, is possibly going to work as one of Kansas City's top kick returners, according to Nate Taylor of The Athletic. So for Ross himself, he will have to win reps solely through the passing game if he is to make the 53-man roster.

What could be worth monitoring from Justyn Ross in the upcoming preseason games? How he wins off of the line of scrimmage and separates will be key. Due to his height and size being a bit of an outlier in the Chiefs' wide receiver room, Ross could win reps by relying on his physical prowess. But if he fails to separate or create a greater throwing window, his chances will take a major hit.

In other areas, Ross may have to prove that he can execute a wide array of routes. There is no shortage of route concepts in Andy Reid's offense. If Ross is someone that only wins on contested catches or vertical shots, there are going to be guys who win the final wide receiver spot or two over him. Finally, Ross may also be forced to show that he can win consistently. Is he avoiding drops on balls that are easily catchable? Can Ross handle the ball cleanly at the catch point and after the catch?

One Last Shot?

There are many wide receivers that appear to be on the bubble of making the Chiefs for 2024. And generally, all of these names could very well be receiving their one last shot with Kansas City. Outside of Justyn Ross, this may include the aforementioned Toney and Moore, as well as Mecole Hardman. And if Remigio is able to win a spot and carry some momentum, not all of these guys are going to make the cut.

Ross may have a more limited ceiling than the wide receivers that the Chiefs added this offseason. Hollywood Brown and Xavier Worthy are likely going to be counted on the most this season. Rashee Rice comes off a rookie year where he was eventually the team's best wide receiver. Though, will a potential suspension for off the field conduct eliminate him from some games? Either way, Ross could fill the X-receiver type that Kansas City has been without for a few years.

If he is able to carry this recent hype from the start of training camp into a real shot, Justyn Ross is a battle-tested piece that could come through in specific situations. Outside of the red zone, winning on third down or in vertical concepts may be where he is called upon. Can Ross prove that he still deserves another shot in the Chiefs offense?