The Kansas City Chiefs are in need of an additional wide receiver primarily because Skyy Moore has failed to meet expectations. Drafted in the second round of the 2022 NFL Draft, Moore was seen as a high-potential player despite competing against weaker opponents at Western Michigan. The Chiefs hoped he could transition to the NFL, but general manager Brett Veach and his team were mistaken in their assessment. Since joining the league, Moore has been one of the least productive receivers, catching only 43 of 73 targets and frequently making mistakes in both offensive plays and special teams.
Despite bringing him back for his third season, Moore has done nothing to earn the Chiefs’ confidence. In five games, he has not made a single catch, prompting former Chiefs player Geoff Schwartz to question Moore’s place on the roster following his disappointing career start.
Although expectations for Moore in Year 3 were low, his complete failure to contribute to a struggling passing game should indicate the end of his time with the Chiefs. Kansas City reinforced their wide receiver lineup during the offseason by signing Marquise Brown to a one-year contract and drafting Xavier Worthy in the first round. With both Brown and Rashee Rice now sidelined for the season, Moore has still failed to make his mark in the offense.
With injuries to key players, the Chiefs turned to veteran wide receiver Juju Smith-Schuster, who managed to record seven receptions for 130 yards against the New Orleans Saints, despite having just 260 yards for the entire 2023 season. Given that Smith-Schuster likely won’t maintain this performance and with Moore unable to contribute, the Chiefs should explore the wide receiver trade market soon. While Davante Adams is a high-profile target, Diontae Johnson seems to be a more realistic option.
As noted previously, there has been speculation about a potential trade for Johnson, which makes sense given the Chiefs’ current situation. Even with a perfect 5-0 record, they still need another receiver, especially with Brown and Rice out for the season and Moore failing to step up. Although Worthy has potential, he has yet to demonstrate anything beyond being a sporadic deep threat.
Johnson could be a valuable asset, serving as a reliable chain-mover in the absence of Rice. He has consistently earned targets throughout his career but has not always converted those into substantial yardage, possibly due to playing with quarterbacks like Mason Rudolph, a declining Ben Roethlisberger, Kenny Pickett, and Bryce Young. With Patrick Mahomes at the helm, Johnson could thrive, ensuring that Moore remains off the field on offense.
