ESPN's Bill Barnwell released his ranking of the NFL's best collection of pass-catchers on Friday, and it should come as no surprise that he places the defending Super Bowl champions Kansas City Chiefs right at the top of the list.
Even though Barnwell's rankings were solely based on skill position players—therefore excluding the passing prowess of Kansas City's $500 million quarterback Patrick Mahomes—he still believes head coach Andy Reid oversees the best group in football. Barnwell writes:
“Travis Kelce is the NFL's most productive receiving tight end. Over his three seasons as a starter, Tyreek Hill is sixth in receiving yards and fourth in yards per route run among wide receivers…Sammy Watkins racked up 288 receiving yards when the Chiefs needed him in the playoffs, the second-highest total of the postseason. Mecole Hardman quietly averaged 1.90 yards per route run; he only caught 26 passes, but nearly 35% of them went for 20 or more yards, which was the fifth-highest rate in the league. Every one of these guys is a threat to score from anywhere on the field.”
In the 2019 regular season, Kelce led tight ends with 97 catches and 1,229 receiving yards. The wide receiving group has speed and depth, led by Hill (860 yards, seven TDs in 12 games). Watkins (673 yards, 3 touchdowns), rookie Mecole Hardman (538 yards, 6 touchdowns) and Demarcus Robinson (449 yards, 4 touchdowns) all made major contributions, as well.
As Barnwell points out, in 15 games as Kansas City's primary back, Damian Williams “has carried the ball 205 times for 1,006 yards (4.9 yards per carry), caught 61 passes for 498 additional yards and scored 19 touchdowns. That's basically Aaron Jones' 2019 regular season, and a significant chunk of Williams' work has come in the postseason.”
The Chiefs also stole possibly the best receiving back in the draft, nabbing former LSU halfback Clyde Edwards-Helaire at the end of the first round. Edwards-Helaire ran for 1,414 yards and an SEC-leading 16 scores, and caught 55 passes for 453 yards last season—setting an LSU single-season record for receptions by a tailback.
Barnwell's analysis sheds light on the enviable position the young and loaded Chiefs are in entering 2020. With Mahomes locked up, they look like a dynasty in the making—and the clear favorites to repeat as Super Bowl champs.
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