The Chiefs are still one of the best in the NFL with studs Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce leading the charge under head coach Andy Reid. Yet, Kansas City's defense has also surprisingly stepped up this season and has contributed to the team being 6-2 with a sizable lead in the AFC West.
However, the team has some glaring flaws and could have certainly utilized the deadline to bolster its roster, especially at the wide receiver position with the depth chart full of young players.
Chiefs should have traded for Jerry Jeudy
After Denver shockingly topped the Chiefs on Sunday for the first time since 2016, the team did not make any moves. Many expected the Broncos to be shopping names such as Jerry Jeudy, Pat Surtain II, and Courtland Sutton to say the least. Although it is always hard to snag a deal with a division rival, the Chiefs should have at least made a call about Jeudy as he is worth the overpay.
The Alabama product has quick feet and strong route running which could have opened up the middle of the field for Mahomes. Pairing Jeudy with Kelce and breakout Rashee Rice could have boded very well for the Chiefs and provided three strong, consistent targets.
On top of this, Jeudy still has another year remaining under his current contract meaning he is not simply a rental for this season. Mahomes creates tandems with a plethora of wide receivers and if the Jeudy experiment goes well, the team has next year to build on that and give Mahomes a true wide receiver one which the team has been so desperately missing this season. Even though Jeudy has not produced the strongest numbers in his Broncos career, a change of scenery with the talent of Mahomes could elevate his play to elite status.
Chiefs should have traded for DJ Moore
The Chicago Bears look to be turning in another disastrous season, especially after the news that Justin Fields would be sidelined for at least a few weeks with a thumb injury. The team is relying on NCAA Division II product Tyson Bagent in his absence and should have been selling at the deadline yet snagged Montez Sweat from the Washington Commanders for a second-round pick in a nifty deal.
Moore is enjoying a fantastic season with 44 catches, 691 receiving yards, and five touchdowns thus far. Moore's contract is a bit hefty yet he has next season under it and his price tag does not seem that high with little teams calling about his talent.
The Maryland product could most likely have been had for a mid-round draft pick and paired Mahomes with a speedy downfield presence to stretch the offense. We all saw what happened last time the Chiefs had an explosive downfield threat in Tyreek Hill and just how unstoppable it made their offense, therefore the Chiefs should have at least kicked the tires on Moore.
Chiefs could have traded for Adam Thielen
Thielen is enjoying another productive year with 57 catches, 581 receiving yards, and four touchdowns even with the struggles of quarterback Bryce Young. Thielen is a 10-year NFL veteran and could provide much-needed experience to a young Chiefs wide receiver room.
In fact, Thielen's numbers this season would be the top mark for Kansas City receivers with Rashee Rice leading the squad with 30 catches on 361 receiving yards. Not only would pairing a veteran help lead the offense with Kelce, Thielen is also playing under the NFL minimum this season of just $1.17 million with the rest of his money coming in bonuses and back pay.
At that price, he is certainly worth it for the Chiefs to bolster their receiving corps. However, his contract does rise significantly over the next two seasons and would most likely be put towards the Carolina Panthers cap space meaning Kanas City would have to give up a mid-round draft pick at minimum. Yet, his skills do the talking and would guarantee a much more balanced offensive attack for the Chiefs making it all worth the while.
