Chiefs Free Agency 2023: Wide receivers Odell Beckham Jr., Adam Thielen and DJ Chark still on the board

Coming into the offseason, we knew the Kansas City Chiefs had work to do within the extensive receiver room. As I outlined in February, the staff was set to lose three wideouts from the energetic roster — and a key special-teams contributor — in free company.

Kansas Metropolis remains to be set to lose 1,545 yards of extensive receiver manufacturing to the open market. Together with Hardman, three extra of the staff’s wideouts will hit free company: JuJu Smith-Schuster, Justin Watson and Marcus Kemp.

Two of them are already signed elsewhere. In response to a report by ESPN’s Diana Russini, Kansas Metropolis tried to retain Smith-Schuster, who finally signed with the New England Patriots.

And Kemp — who spent 2022 on the the Chiefs’ follow squad, from which he was elevated for the utmost of three regular-season video games and three postseason contests — was signed by the Washington Commanders.

So let’s check out among the remaining free-agent extensive receivers Kansas Metropolis might goal.

1. Odell Beckham Jr.

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At one level, Beckham was one of many sport’s largest stars — and nonetheless carries important identify recognition. However lately, accidents (and an up-and-down stint with the Cleveland Browns) have curbed his manufacturing.

Beckham is now coming off his second ACL tear, which got here throughout Super Bowl LVI whereas enjoying for the Los Angeles Rams. He’s reported to be seeking a multi-year deal. Whereas It is sensible for the 30-year-old wideout to strive for one ultimate contract, it doesn’t essentially make sense for a staff to offer one to him.

A prototypical X-receiver with a big catch radius who can win one-on-one matchups on the skin, Beckham can even play by means of contact and catch the ball over the center, attacking the ball on the catch level like few others. His capability to make highlight-reel performs is on par with the very best to ever play the sport — however his largest weak point has been his capability to remain wholesome.

Lately, the Chiefs have usually been recognized as a staff with curiosity in Beckham; in February 2022, Kansas Metropolis normal supervisor Brett Veach spoke about him. The sticking level will possible be whether or not the Chiefs are keen to offer Beckham a multi-year deal — and it appears unlikely they’ll. But when he’s keen to signal a one-year, incentive-laden deal just like what Smith-Schuster signed final offseason, he might find yourself in Kansas Metropolis.

2. Adam Thielen

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Thielen might change Smith-Schuster’s manufacturing virtually completely. At 32, the longtime Minnesota Vikings receiver isn’t any spring hen. However final season, he registered 70 receptions (on 107 targets) for 716 yards and 6 touchdowns. His yards per goal, nonetheless, have declined in every of the final 4 years; his 2022 determine of 6.7 was a profession low.

Nonetheless, Thielen is a savvy veteran with a terrific launch. He can play any receiving place, shifting the chains with 8-15 yards per catch. He isn’t prone to accumulate many flashy highlight-reel performs — however he’s a reliable receiver who isn’t going to make dumb errors. That makes him a priceless participant.

It wouldn’t make sense to interrupt the financial institution for Thielen — however with a one-year deal that is sensible for either side, he may very well be the newest veteran to return to Kansas Metropolis looking for a championship ring to cap off a profitable profession.

3. DJ Chark

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The youngest participant on this record, the 26-year-old speedster is coming off an injury-shortened season with the Detroit Lions the place he caught 30 passes (on 52 targets) for 502 yards and three touchdowns. Listed at 6’4” and 198 kilos, he isn’t an enormous wideout; together with his slight body, he’s struggled to carry up for full seasons. Over his five-year profession, he’s missed 28 video games with accidents.

Nonetheless, Chark can stretch the sector vertically with the very best of them. Popping out of LSU in 2018, he was a Scouting Mix hero, posting a 4.34-second 40-yard sprint, a 40.5-inch vertical bounce and an 11’3” broad bounce. Even higher, this athleticism exhibits up on tape. He’s a official deep risk.

So long as he’s wholesome, Chark can change what Kansas Metropolis would quit from Hardman’s loss — and perhaps present slightly bit extra. If the Chiefs can get him on a three-year take care of an affordable common wage, he might make lots of sense.