Reshaping: Chiefs Add Wide Receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling -

Embed from Getty Images
It did not take the Kansas City Chiefs long to add another wide receiver, following the trade of Tyreek Hill. They did just that on Thursday afternoon, adding former Green Bay Packers wide receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling. Kansas City signed him to a three-year deal worth $30 million, which includes a max value of $36 million with possible incentives. Essentially, it is treated as a two-year deal that includes Valdes-Scantling receiving $18 million in those first two years. The third year is basically an option year, as per Fansided’s Matt Verderame.

Per source, I can confirm prior reports (@ByNateTaylor among them) the Chiefs’ deal with Marquez Valdes-Scantling is essentially two years and $18M.

Third year is more-or-less a team option

— Matt Verderame (@MattVerderame) March 24, 2022

By adding MVS, the Chiefs are bringing in a completely different mold of receiver, compared to what they have usually had in the recent offense. What kind of play style can Kansas City fans expect from him? Plus, what is likely the next route for the Chiefs at the ever-changing wide receiver position? Let’s kick it off.

Valdes-Scantling’s Play Style

Marquez Valdes-Scantling will obviously not replace the ability of Hill. However, he has most of his success on routes that work to the deeper portions of the field. MVS appears to be most comfortable on go routes, corner routes, post routes and deep over routes. His combination of size, physicality and speed is something the Chiefs appear to be clinging to currently as well. He has a unique build (6’4”, 206 pounds), and that allows him to impose his will on defenders and win against contact.

The cherry on top for Valdes-Scantling? His speed is other-worldly, based on what one would imagine with his frame. He ran a 40-yard dash of 4.37 seconds in the pre-draft process. More importantly, the long speed of Valdes-Scantling is what separates him and allows him to overwhelm defensive backs. Add in the fact that he is smart in the open field after the catch, and is able to consistently win vertically, Valdes-Scantling has a chance to be a constant explosive play threat.

How Will He Fit In Chiefs Offense?

Once again, this will not be a replacement for Hill stylistically. The same could be said from his possible alignment within the Kansas City offense. Valdes-Scantling was not averse to moving around the offensive formation in Green Bay. He can win from the outside, he can win from the slot, and he can win when aligned in tighter fits as well.

With the Chiefs, Valdes-Scantling will likely handle a role that say Demarcus Robinson did. Robinson played roughly 65 percent of the snaps over the last few seasons. That is about the same percentage that Valdes-Scantling played of the Packers’ snaps in that same span. You also see a possible similar role for Valdes-Scantling, in terms of alignment. He could lineup on the weak side, when on the outside. Or, Valdes-Scantling may work more crossing or over routes, when working from the slot or in tight alignments.

Ep 102: Chiefs, Eagles Advance To The Super Bowl
by Full Press Coverage on January 30, 2023 at 11:26 pm

What’s Next For Kansas City At Wide Receiver?

The Chiefs have routinely kept six wide receivers on the active roster by the time the regular season rolls around. After adding Valdes-Scantling, the top wide receivers on the depth chart are currently JuJu Smith-Schuster, Mecole Hardman, Valdes-Scantling, Josh Gordon and Daurice Fountain. Others like Cornell Powell, Justin Watson, Gehrig Dieter and more could arguably compete for that sixth spot. Yet, the Chiefs do not appear to be done with adding more wide receivers.

NFL Draft

We know that Kansas City now has eight draft picks in the first four rounds after the Hill trade. That includes currently having two selections in each of those four rounds. It would not be surprising to see them use one of those first-round picks or the first one in the second round on a wide receiver. Furthermore, do not be surprised if they double dipped and drafted two wide receivers in April. Despite adding Smith-Schuster, he, Gordon and Hardman are only signed through 2022. Valdes-Scantling is the only wide receiver that is guaranteed to be in Kansas City beyond this season, as things currently stand.

Free Agency/Trade Options

Finally, the Chiefs may not be done adding more wide receivers via free agency. Of the names that are still available, Julio Jones, Will Fuller and others could be of interest to Kansas City. The only drawback with those options is with possible health and durability concerns. Could they also look to the trade market? The Chiefs are inquiring about Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Laviska Shenault, a former second-round pick in 2020, per Jordan Schultz of The Game Day NFL. As a result, they are obviously looking into plenty of other options.

#Chiefs are inquiring about #Jags WR Laviska Shenault, per sources.

Shenault, 23, was a 2nd-rd pick in 2020 and has plenty of fans throughout the league. One HC told me: “That kid’s a baller. We loved him in the draft. … Only a matter of time before he really pops.”

— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) March 24, 2022