ESPN Analyst Suggests ‘Bold Move’ for KC Chiefs to Sign Mike Evans, Draft Keon Coleman

Aaron Schatz's list of bold suggestions sends a pair of talented wideouts to Kansas City this offseason.

The Kansas City Chiefs' wide receiver room was the subject of the 2023-24 season, and it remains a top focal point entering the offseason.

Despite the franchise winning its second Super Bowl in a row since trading All-pro wideout Tyreek Hill, questions about Kansas City's talent in the room remain. The greatness of quarterback Patrick Mahomes shouldn't be taken for granted, nor should a resurgent postseason from tight end Travis Kelce. As Kelce continues to age and the year of the NFL defense attempts a successful encore next season, some help would be beneficial.

With that in mind, Aaron Schatz of ESPN projects some serious help for the Chiefs. In his list of bold offseason moves for all 32 NFL teams, Schatz suggests that Kansas City should sign Mike Evans and also bring in potential first-rounder Keon Coleman. Here's more: 

Start with the best player on the market -- and he just happens to have a ring of his own already. Yes, Evans will be 31 years old this year, but he's still playing at a high level. Evans ranked 23rd in DVOA among qualifying wide receivers last season and has 10 straight years with at least 1,000 receiving yards. And he's money in the red zone, with 13 touchdowns last season. Imagine Patrick Mahomes throwing to Evans on one side with Rashee Rice on the other side and Travis Kelce in the middle. It's enough for Chiefs Kingdom to already start planning another celebration.

And what to do about Evans' age? Well, start preparing for the inevitable by using that No. 32 pick on another wide receiver who can gradually step in over the next couple of years. Florida State's Keon Coleman has similar size and would make a perfect heir apparent to Evans.

To say this would contribute to a new-look receiver group would be an understatement. A wideout trio of Evans, Coleman and Rashee Rice reads much differently on paper than any combination led by Rice and some supporting pieces from the Super Bowl. It not only adds high-end depth and consistency but also some legitimate intrigue for the position room. 

Evans is coming off a 2023 campaign that saw him haul in 79 passes for 1,255 yards and a league-leading 13 touchdowns. He's recorded at least 1,000 receiving yards in each of his 10 seasons in the league so far, averaging 1,105 per season since 2020. Evans also brings playoff experience, as he's played in nine of those games dating back four years. In those outings, he logged 45 catches, 709 yards and another five scores.

The questions with Evans pertain to his age and contract situation. He's set to turn 31 in August, which doesn't bode well for wide receivers. The aging curve, historically, is unkind to those who eclipse that hill. On a multi-year contract, a team would be taking a significant risk by investing heavily in him. Speaking of which, Evans figures to command a hefty chunk of change. He hasn't been franchise tagged as of the publishing of this article; Pro Football Focus' recent contract projection nets him an average of $23 million per season.

Coleman has truly impressive physical gifts in a draft class filled with great wideout prospects. His size is a plus-plus trait, he tracks the ball well and is a potential yards-after-catch monster due to his acceleration and frame. Coleman's efficiency stats in 2023 were far from good, however, and he's raw at this stage of his development. Spending the 32nd overall pick on him, like dishing out a big-time deal to Evans, would also be a risk.

At any rate, some injection of talent is needed at receiver. The Chiefs know that, and the legal tampering period and free agency in March will present opportunities to acquire someone. The 2024 NFL Draft will, too. Is the path of Evans and Coleman realistic? Probably not, but fortune favors the bold. That's what Schatz was representing here.

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