Everyone knows that the Kansas City Chiefs' passing attack was less than dangerous in 2014. The team ranked 29th in passing yards (198.8) and 27th in passing touchdowns (18) last year. During the offseason, the only impact player Andy Reid and Co. added at the position was Jeremy Maclin, who had never enjoyed a 1,000 yard season before his first full year in Chip Kelly's magical offensive system. So the question is, will Maclin be enough to help this Chiefs offense get over the hump?
"Today's NFL is decidedly a matchup game and the offense's ability to create mismatches in the pass pattern is routinely the difference," ESPN's Jeff Legwold wrote. "A team that did not have a touchdown catch from its wide receivers in 2014 certainly could not, and did not, create matchups that stressed defenses very often. Maclin's arrival helps in creating a potential double-team situation for defenses that could help some of the other Chiefs players. But this is an offense opposing defenses still may not fear over the top - they did not have a player with more than 16 catches average more than 13 yards a catch last season. They not only need Maclin to consistently win matchups, but they need to protect better - Alex Smith was sacked 45 times last season, tied for fourth-most among league starters - to get him the ball. If Smith doesn't have more time to look things over, defenses that already don't fear his arm will continue to crowd the short and intermediate routes."
Given Smith's struggles pushing the ball down the field, it's fair to guess that Maclin won't repeat as a top five receiver in 2015. But given Maclin's familiarity with Reid and this offense, he will likely be a productive upgrade over the existing WR corps.
Pairing him with emerging tight end Travis Kelce, who ranked near the top of his position in yards after the catch last year, and the dynamic Jamaal Charles will help diversify Kansas City's offense. Reid has always been a master of getting something out of nothing and now he has a few more toys to work with. So who knows, the Denver Broncos looked vulnerable down the stretch last year so maybe the Chiefs have a shot in the AFC West.
