Chiefs predicted to poach Pro Bowler from Panthers to solve ‘biggest weakness’
How will the Kansas City Chiefs stay on top with such little wide receiver depth?
The Chiefs thought they had found their star in Rashee Rice, but a knee injury cut his season short and offseason legal troubles could lead to a suspension in 2025. Xavier Worthy is a project, JuJu Smith Schuster is a spare part, and the rest of the names are hardly worth mentioning.
One of the perks of being back-to-back Super Bowl champions is that it’s not hard to convince top free agents to sign with you, and the Chiefs could have their pick of the litter this spring. But, of course, they will also need to be cost-conscious to stay within earshot of the salary cap limit.
A name to watch is former Pro Bowler Diontae Johnson of the Carolina Panthers, who is set to become a free agent. Bleacher Report’s NFL Scouting Department predicted that the Chiefs would add Johnson this spring to bolster their wideout depth chart.
“After watching JuJu Smith-Schuster quickly look like a productive receiver after going back to Kansas City, it’s fair to wonder if Diontae Johnson could see a similar boost,” the authors said. “The former Steeler is still producing in Carolina, but dropping him in the Chiefs offense could take his production even further.”
Johnson, 28, has been a productive receiver throughout his career despite rarely having a decent quarterback to throw to him. He’s totaled 4,703 receiving yards and 28 touchdowns in his five-and-a-half seasons between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Carolina.
Putting Johnson in a Patrick Mahomes II-led offense could benefit everyone involved. The price tag should be low coming off a dreadful Panthers season, and Johnson could elevate himself back to Pro Bowl status in a much better situation with Kansas City.
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