Oakland Raiders Versus The AFC West: Wide Receivers

Dec 21, 2014; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Jason Avant (81) is tripped up as Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Ryan Shazier (50) closes in during the second half at Heinz Field. The Steelers won the game, 20-12. Mandatory Credit: Jason Bridge-USA TODAY Sports

Kansas City Chiefs

The problem with the Chiefs’ receiving corps had as much to do with the receivers themselves, as with the quarterback who was throwing them the ball. The fact that the Chiefs finished the 2014 season without a single touchdown pass to a wide receiver left them in some rather dubious company. They are only the fourth team in league history to go an entire season without a scoring toss to a wideout – and the last team to do it was the 1964 Giants.

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Though Jeremy Maclin is a big upgrade to the Chiefs’ receiving corps – especially over the departed Dwayne Bowe – Kansas City doesn’t have much else going in the receiving department. De’Anthony Thomas, for all of his speed and explosiveness in the kick return game, is something of an unproven commodity on offense.

As a rookie, Thomas was targeted just 31 times, making 23 catches for just 156 yards. He’s being asked to take on a larger role in Kansas City’s offense this season, and the team has to hope he’s ready for prime time.

Though adding Maclin was great, if QB Smith Alex Smith can’t get the ball downfield to him, they won’t be able to exploit his skills. And if Thomas doesn’t step up the way they’re hoping, Kansas City is going to have some real problems in the passing game again this season.

There are just too many questions and uncertainties surrounding Kansas City’s passing game. And most of them revolve around QB Alex Smith. It’s for that reason, more than any other, that the Chiefs have the fourth best receiving group in the AFC West.

Next: Number Three