The wide receivers on the Kansas City Chiefs failed to catch a single touchdown pass all season. Let that sink in for a moment. Not a single one.
In today's pass-happy NFL where WR value is more inflated than, well, any of New England's footballs, not producing a single score is unprecedented. It's also a huge area of concern for head coach Andy Reid. Kansas City knows it needs to upgrade its pass-catching corps, and the first opportunity to do so will be when free agency opens next month. One player the Chiefs should keep in mind is Green Bay Packers wide receiver Randall Cobb.
"Cobb is a great fit for Andy Reid's offense, and there is no guarantee he returns to Green Bay," Scott Kacsmar of Football Outsiders wrote. "Cobb's agent will likely look for a contract worth at least $9 million per season, and the Packers are already dishing out bigger money to Aaron Rodgers, Clay Matthews and Jordy Nelson."
Cobb is coming off an impressive season in which he finished ninth in the NFL in receptions (91), 11th in receiving yards (1,287) and fourth in touchdowns (12). He's proven to be an explosive and versatile mismatch that can beat defenses from several spots on the field. He's also still just 24 years old. However, the Chiefs will have to clear out some cap space if they hope to make a run at the productive slot man.
"This one will take some creative accounting," Kacsmar wrote. "The Chiefs are currently over the salary cap, but could save $14 million this season by cutting Dwayne Bowe (who turns 31 in September) and Tamba Hali (32 in November). Bowe has been a big disappointment on his current contract, and the Chiefs drafted pass-rusher Dee Ford in the first round last year, so those changes are very realistic."
Alex Smith may not be the same perennial MVP contender that Aaron Rodgers is at quarterback. But Smith runs an efficient offense that puts wide receivers in a position to make plays. That should suit Cobb well, as he has gained nearly half of his career receiving yards after the catch. Cobb's addition could help the Chiefs compete against the more talented teams in the AFC West.
"Kansas City is 0-6 against Denver since Peyton Manning went there, and more offensive firepower to compete in the division has been a necessity this team has ignored," Kacsmar wrote. "Travis Kelce had a good showing at tight end in 2014 and Jamaal Charles is still la dangerous dual-threat back, but Cobb would really give this offense a rounded attack. When your coach is in his 17th year and the quarterback is going on 31, this is the time to be aggressive in the offseason. Remember, the Chiefs managed to beat both Super Bowl teams last year despite missing the playoffs at 9-7."
