Chiefs Could Trade For This Star Receiver At Trade Deadline

The Kansas City Chiefs still need a receiver, so the rumors are starting to fly. It’s that time of year, and according to a report from Sam Robinson of ProFootballRumors.com, the Chiefs could have interest in trading for Brian Thomas Jr. of the Jacksonville Jaguars. 

The source Robinson used was Dan Graziano, who predicted that the Jags would work out something with one of the receiver-needy teams out there, which is definitely the Chief. Rashee Rice has had moments, but Xavier Worthy has yet to arrive in a big way, despite preseason promise from the Chiefs that he would be a big part of their offense. 

As for Thomas, he was targeted nine timess in Jacksonville’s 20-13 loss to the Denver Broncos in Week 2, but he’s gotten just four combined looks from quarterback Trevor Lawrence in the Jags’ other two games this season. 

Thomas had an impact season last year, but according to Robinson he’s dropped behind Parker Robinson and Jakobi Meyers on the depth chart, with the seven receptions from tight end Brenton Strange matching Thomas’s output so far. Thomas has turned his seven catches into 88 yards, which is well behind the totals posted by Washington and Meyers. 

While Thomas is a good fit, there are issues. Thomas struggled with drops last year, which is why Jacksonville went out and acquired Jakobi Meyers from the Las Vegas Raiders. Adding the reliable Meyers energized the Jacksonville offense, and Washington is starting to emerge as a genuine star this season. 

That’s exactly the problem the Chiefs receivers had late last year, so it’s fair to ask if adding another one with the same problem is a good idea. 

There’s also the issue of earning the trust of quarterback Patrick Mahomes, who is just as selective when it comes to who he chooses to rely on in the passing game. That’s why tight end Travis Kelce is still setting receiving records well into his 30s, and sometimes it’s tough to integrate a new wideout who gets added after the deadline. 

The part where there is a match is in the talent department. Thomas is a first-round talent, and coach Andy Reid is as good as it gets when it comes to evaluating receivers, although it’s getting harder to understand what he really sees in Worthy. 

If Reid sees something worth developing in Thomas and he feels like outbidding the competition, the idea of moving a second-day pick for the LSU product isn’t out of the question.