Breaking Down 2023 NFL Draft Wide Receiver Archetypes
If you were to ask nearly any Kansas City Chiefs fan what the team's biggest need is, they would likely answer with wide receiver. The team has seen some key receivers walk out the door and has minimally brought in guys to replace them. The upcoming 2023 NFL Draft will likely be when Kansas City addresses the position. While wideouts can be classified under one position group, though, there are different types of archetypes the Chiefs could be after.
Currently, only three receivers are locked into the Chiefs' Week 1 roster. Those players are Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Skyy Moore and Kadarius Toney. Valdes-Scantling is a traditional field stretch weapon or deep threat. He is at his best when working on the vertical plane and taking the top of the defense with his speed. Moore fits the mold of a possession receiver. He's shown the ability to be more but thrives at creating separation in the intermediate areas of the field. Finally, Toney is the most compelling mold because he hasn't been healthy often enough to be used to his full capability yet. For now, he's in the "gadget" receiver role for Kansas City and is someone who shines with the ball in his hands.
While the current wide receiver room is well-rounded, the Chiefs are still missing traditional types for their room. Kansas City loves versatility in its wide receivers so the team doesn't always fill every mold, but most options can be put in a primary role to understand the fit with the group as a unit. Looking at the draft, there are multiple ways the Chiefs can fill the rest of their room throughout those three days.
Deep Threat
- A player who excels when running routes on the vertical plane.
- Typically has the long speed to take the top off of the defense.
- Possesses the ability to track the ball while running full speed.
Prospects: Jalin Hyatt (Round 1), A.T Perry (Rounds 2-3), Trey Palmer (Rounds 4-7)
Possession Slot
- Extremely good or safe hands.
- Mostly wins in the intermediate areas of the field on in- and out-breaking routes.
- Good route runner and can box out defenders underneath.
Prospects: Jaxon Smith-Njigba (Round 1), Josh Downs (Rounds 2-3), Parker Washington (4-7)
Quick Slot
- Typically undersized with quick feet.
- Ability to win with speed in all three levels of the field.
- Top-end change of direction to win against man coverage.
Prospects: Zay Flowers (Round 1), Marvin Mims (Rounds 2-3), Jayden Reed (Rounds 4-7)
YAC Creator
- Extremely good with the ball in their hands.
- Athletic profile that shines in the open field to create yards after the catch (YAC).
- Gadget role with screens, reverses, pop-passes, etc.
Prospects: Quentin Johnston (Round 1), Rakim Jarrett (Rounds 2-3), Kayshon Boutte (Rounds 4-7)
Big Body
- Impressive height and weight profile.
- Attacks the ball in the air and win at the catch point.
- Plays physically through the route and after the catch.
Prospects: Jonathan Mingo (Rounds 2-3), Cedric Tillman (Rounds 2-3), Bryce Ford-Wheaton (Rounds 4-7)
Man Separator
- Very precise and diverse route runner.
- Trusted to beat single coverage at all three levels.
- Understands how to attack their defender's leverage.
Prospects: Jordan Addison (Round 1), Tank Dell (Rounds 4-7), Charlie Jones (Rounds 4-7)
Listing out categories is not a way to confine these prospects to those archetypes, but rather highlight their best attributes and how they can shine at the NFL level. For example, Mims is in the "quick slot" group but is also an excellent deep threat. In that same group, Flowers is also very talented after the catch. Sorting into these categories is a way to build a draft board for what fits a particular team's needs.
The Chiefs probably need to take a wide receiver early but don't pick until late in each round. As a result, their options might be limited and they won't get the exact profile they seek. With that said, looking at a player's strengths and fitting them around the current room can get the player to produce early in his career as he develops the rest of his game.
