The Kansas City Chiefs aren't in panic mode, but at 1-1, there's pressure on the Chiefs to turn their season into a winning one rather than a losing one in Week 3. After all, as the defending Super Bowl champions, they have a target on their back.
Injuries and poor play will present opportunity for these three players to make their case for starting roles if they can emerge with strong play in Week 3.
The Chiefs have a good draw in Week 3 with the Chicago Bears visiting Arrowhead. Chicago is in turmoil mode, so it should be a very winnable game.
Justin Watson could prove to be Patrick Mahomes' most reliable third-down receiver
Across the first two games of the season, Justin Watson has appeared in both games, starting in the Jacksonville Jaguars win. After getting four targets in the season opener, he got five in Week 2, improving his catch rate to 60 percent and bumping his yards per target from 11.25 to 12.40.
Watson hasn't proven to be an elite receiver yet, but his ability to convert on third down has been a reliable tool in Matt Nagy and Patrick Mahomes' back pocket when other receivers have struggled.
There was good reason to give Watson an increase in offensive snaps -- from 29 percent in Week 1 to 46 percent in Week 2. Despite fumbling in the Jaguars win, Watson has quietly been one of the most reliable receivers the Chiefs have. Four of his five receptions have converted to first downs.
It looks like Watson's usage is trending up and could continue to do so with some injuries to other Kansas City receivers, like Kadarius Toney who is dealing with a toe sprain. If he can make the most of those opportunities, Watson can insert himself into the conversation for a starting role as receiver.
He brings speed and versatility, a deadly mix that makes him one of several players in the receiving room who could reach out and grab bigger roles moving forward. He leads the league in targeted air yards after two weeks, a clear display of the recognition Mahomes has of his route-running and velocity.
Mahomes once remarked that Watson was too fast (subscription required), making him late on his throws. That's a great problem to have.
Nick Allegretti or Lucas Niang could take Jawaan Taylor's snaps
Jawaan Taylor got away with a liberal interpretation of the rulebook in Week 1, but may have shot himself in the foot by drawing too much attention to himself with his attempt to get a legal(?) advantage.
Now, the tendencies he's gotten used to at the line of scrimmage are being flagged and he's clearly off his rhythm.
Taylor has an abysmal 46.6 Pro Football Focus grade this year after a 58.7 in 2022 and 60.4 in 2021. He has the most penalties by flag count and penalty yardage of any player in the NFL. While he hasn't allowed a sack, his missteps have clearly created a problem for the Chiefs, and if he can't clean up his play, there will be more pressure on Mahomes and Co. to make magic out of third-and-long situations.
If he struggles, Lucas Niang could see his first snaps of the year at right tackle, or Nick Allegretti could slide over from right guard.
Niang's ascension to a starting role feels like the much longer shot at this stage after a disappointing tumble from what fans hoped he would become. A Covid opt-out and injury set him back and nearly had him missing the team this training camp.
Now, the right opportunity may come up for him to finally make his mark if he's stayed ready.
Allegretti, who became a famous father when his wife gave birth to twins just before the Super Bowl win last season, has graded a 60.0 in very limited snaps so far this season. The year before, in 286 offensive snaps he received a 52.4.
When one player struggles, another gets an opportunity. If the Chiefs need to take Taylor out, someone will get a shot to prove they deserve a starting role.
Rashee Rice can work his way up to a starting role
While Justin Watson might be the more obvious choice to earn Mahomes' favor in quick turnaround, Rashee Rice could just as easily jump up to a starting role, too.
Rice, drafted in the second round of this year's drraft out of SMU, projected as a possible short-term project for Kansas City. A high-ceiling receiver, Kansas City is optimistic he can be one of Mahomes' go-to weapons in the next few seasons.
Why not the present?
Rice got five targets in Week 1 but just two in Week 2. He did secure both passes in Week 2 compared to just 60 percent in Week 1, though he didn't get a touchdown like he did in the opener against Detroit.
Rice is certainly the flashier player to project to emerge out of the possible wide receiver committee as Mahomes' favorite, but for now, it looks like his development path should be focused on just remaining consistent in limited, situational opportunities.
That said, those opportunities may present themselves more in Week 3. Kadarius Toney and Richie James both didn't practice Thursday. If they don't play Sunday and/or are limited, the opportunities for every receiver to show they're capable of WR1 duties will be there. It's just up to them to take advantage.
