Previewing Top 2023 NFL Draft Wide Receivers for Chiefs
As things currently stand with the Kansas City Chiefs' wide receiver room, only three players have played meaningful snaps for the club at the NFL level. The team needs to find more weapons for Patrick Mahomes before the season starts, and that may be through a trade for DeAndre Hopkins, signing Odell Beckham Jr. or another move that has yet to be imagined.
Right now, though, Kansas City almost surely needs to draft a wide receiver in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft. Five consistent names have been mentioned in that conversation, and Chiefs fans should begin to become familiar with them because the likelihood of one being selected by Kansas City appears to grow daily.
Jalin Hyatt - Tennessee
The game-breaking speed instantly jumps off the screen when watching Jalin Hyatt. That elite-level speed helped him win the Biletnikoff Award for the best wide receiver in the country in 2022. The former Volunteer is the best vertical threat in this entire class. His route tempo is excellent, and he’ll use that skill to create separation from defenders at the next level. Tennessee’s offense also gave him the freedom to run option routes downfield, showing off his football IQ and typically making the correct decision.
Hyatt’s best game of the season came against Alabama when he ran through their defense to the tune of 207 yards and five touchdowns on only six catches. That game propelled him into the first-round conversation. Even though he’s looked at as a one-trick pony at the moment, Hyatt has the skill set to continue to grow. His speed, strong hands and overall explosiveness out of breaks can help him develop into a top-notch wide receiver in the NFL.
Jaxon Smith-Njigba - Ohio State
The best route runner and probably the most polished wide receiver in the 2023 class is Jaxon Smith-Njigba. He missed most of the 2022 college season due to a hamstring injury he sustained in the first week. However, despite barely playing this past year, his 2021 tape at Ohio State was good enough to keep him in the first-round conversation.
The former Buckeye has an excellent feel for the field. He understands leverage and where defenders are, using that to his advantage to get open. Smith-Njigba dominates in the intermediate areas of the field, especially over the middle. He has been labeled as a “slot only” guy because of his lack of speed. That would have been considered a major red flag in the past but with the game prioritizing slot receivers more, Smith-Njigba has a super high floor as an NFL player with the upside to continue improving.
Jordan Addison - USC
In 2021, Jordan Addison won the Biletnikoff Award for his sensational sophomore season at Pittsburgh. He then transferred to USC, teaming up with Caleb Williams and Lincoln Riley to continue his collegiate career. Though he battled through some injuries, Addison was still super productive, helping USC to the Pac-12 Championship Game. He is more quick than fast, having the ability to separate from his defender in man coverage.
That quickness plays into Addison’s after-the-catch ability as well. He is shifty in the open field, making defenders miss and freeing up open space for him to run to. The former Panther and Trojan is good when the ball is in the air. He has solid hands and tracks the ball exceptionally well, whether on an underneath or vertical route. Addison isn’t the biggest player and didn’t have the best athletic testing, which could hurt him come draft day. With that said, his skillset as a receiver is good enough to put him in the conversation.
Quentin Johnston - TCU
As the biggest physical presence of the projected first-round receivers, Quentin Johnston presents a different type of skill set to build off. He’s 6’3” and 210 pounds, which projects as a traditional X receiver at the next level. He is also a freak show athlete. Johnston can jump out of the gym but also has the speed and quickness of a smaller receiver. When asked to stretch the field vertically, his speed is used as part of his ability to win downfield on deep routes.
The short-area quickness Johnston possesses is rare for a player his size. He is electric with the ball in his hands and after the catch, he makes defenders miss in the open field. Johnston is still a work in progress as a receiver. There is work to be done with his route-running ability and cleaning up some stuff when it comes to his hands. However, Johnston has the potential to be a superstar if the right team can hone his skills.
Zay Flowers - Boston College
Coming into the season, Zay Flowers was one of the more underrated players in the 2023 NFL Draft. He’s finally getting his due, and some even project him to be the first wide receiver off the board in late April. Flowers has elite movement skills, with his stop-start ability being the best in the class. He will change directions in the open field and make defenders look silly. He is very aware of everything around him, which helps him find open space against zone coverage.
The Boston College product plays with outstanding balance and body control. Everything looks natural for him, and he doesn’t get thrown off by defenders. He isn’t the biggest receiver, which will cause teams to have concerns about his durability and versatility. Despite that, Flowers isn’t afraid of playing bigger and wins down the field through traffic. His skill set should translate well to the NFL, and he can produce from the jump.
