The 2023 season was unlike any in recent memory for the Kansas City Chiefs. Throughout the Andy Reid and Patrick Mahomes era, this has been a team whose success was predicated on how many points they could score with their high-powered offense. In 2023, the script was flipped.
The Chiefs had the least explosive offense of their tenure together. While many teams would kill to have an offense just outside of the top 10, as Kansas City had throughout the season, that was far from what we have become accustomed to seeing them accomplish.
Instead, it has been the defense carrying the team throughout the season. That unit has been strong throughout the regular season and shut down the Miami Dolphins during their Super Wild Card Weekend matchup. The Dolphins scored only seven points, losing 26-7 at frigid Arrowhead.
NFL News & Rumors: AD Mitchell, 2024 NFL Draft, Kansas City Chiefs Updates
While it is nice to see the defense step up, it is clear the Chiefs need to address some issues on offense. The performance of their tackles has been underwhelming, but they haven’t disappointed nearly as much as the wide receiver group.
The Chiefs had high hopes for younger players Skyy Moore and Kadarius Toney, but they have not responded. Rookie Rashee Rice has been the most productive wide receiver on the team and looks like a core piece of the team’s future.
However, he isn’t forecasted as a go-to No. 1 option on the perimeter. That is a hole that needs to be filled and Kansas City could look to the 2024 NFL Draft. If that is the route they take, Trevor Sikkema of PFF believes AD Mitchell out of Texas is the perfect prospect for the Chiefs.
“Look, I’m not breaking any news here saying the Chiefs have to improve at receiver this offseason. They have a good young receiver in Rashee Rice to be a nice slot/after-the-catch guy. Now, they need a bigger, taller receiver who can dominate in the red zone. That’s what the 6-foot-4, 200-pound AD Mitchell can be. He has 10 touchdowns this season as one of the best route-running big receivers in the class,” wrote Sikkema.
NFL News & Rumors: AD Mitchell, 2024 NFL Draft, Kansas City Chiefs Updates
This year’s wide receiver group is deep and talented. If the Chiefs want to take a swing on a player with their first-round pick, they should have plenty of options available to them when they come on the clock.
Mitchell would be an ideal long-term complement to Rice, who developed a nice rapport with Mahomes this season. With Rice dominating the middle of the field, Mitchell would provide the team with an imposing threat on the perimeter, something they are currently missing from their offense.
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