The Kansas City Chiefs are coming off of yet one more deep playoff run. Nevertheless, they’ve passed through a ton of changes this offseason. With a view to proceed their high level of success, the Chiefs will need a few their players to perform well beyond expectations. This happened last yr with rookie linebacker Nick Bolton, who was expected to be a good starter. Bolton almost immediately became among the finest defensive players on Kansas City. There are many breakout candidates on the roster this season, but none look more promising than rookie wide receiver Skyy Moore.
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Chiefs X-Factor To Emerge In 2022 NFL Season
Skyy Moore
It’s surprising that Moore fell all of the option to the late second round on this past draft. Many analysts had predicted that the Western Michigan product would go as high because the mid-first round. There have been loads of reasons Moore was such a highly touted prospect. His speed, play strength, and above-average route running are all reasons Moore will immediately produce on the NFL level. He was a solid producer for 3 years in college, and it seems likely that his adjustment to the league won’t be too difficult.
Skyy Moore WR1 pic.twitter.com/1dMZ4h8ajo
— PFF Fantasy Football (@PFF_Fantasy) June 14, 2022
Considered one of the first reasons Moore will probably be an enormous X-factor is the weakness at his position. The Chiefs traded away Tyreek Hill this offseason, depriving themselves of their best wide receiver. The slate of names which might be set to take over are removed from inspiring. JuJu Smith-Schuster hasn’t had a very good season since 2018 with the Pittsburgh Steelers. It doesn’t help that he’s coming off of a season wherein injuries limited him to 5 games.
Mecole Hardman has been with the Chiefs for some time now, but he’s never been anything greater than a speed threat. In three years in Kansas City, Hardman did not earn himself a consistent starting spot, and in addition did not surpass 700 yards receiving.
Last but not least is Marquez Valdez-Scantling, a player the Chiefs massively overpaid within the offseason. He played 4 seasons with the Green Bay Packers, among the finest passing offenses in all the NFL. There also wasn’t much competition within the wide receiver room there. Despite those aspects, Valdez-Scantling did not eclipse 700 yards receiving in any single season. He also did not consistently crack the starting lineup despite the shortage of competition.
Overall, it shouldn’t be difficult for Moore to get the snaps he must prove himself. Smith-Schuster is a good bet to get injured, and neither Hardman or Valdez-Scantling have ever been in a position to hold down a starting job. Moore is currently the primary wide receiver off the bench for Kansas City. By Week 5, he needs to be within the starting lineup and commanding an enormous goal share.
The one player who’s a lock to outproduce Moore is tight end Travis Kelce. It wouldn’t be a surprise to see Moore with the second-biggest goal share in Kansas City by the tip of his rookie season. That ought to result in a ton of statistical success, because the Chiefs are one of the crucial pass-heavy offenses in all the NFL. For those reasons, it’s clear that Moore is the Chiefs’ X-factor because the 2022 season approaches.
