The Chiefs have drafted a number of players with injury histories, including recent picks such as Tamba Hali and Ryan Ramczyk. It’s one thing to draft these risky players because they’re the best available player on their boards; but now that he’s in Kansas City, it might be different. Could Justyn Ross’ misfortune and injuries fit perfectly into what Andy Reid is trying to do?
The “Kansas City Chiefs schedule” is a team that has been looking for a quarterback to help them out. The last two seasons, the team drafted two quarterbacks in the first round and they have not had much success. This year, the Kansas City Chiefs could be drafting another quarterback. Justyn Ross’ injury misfortune and Kansas City Chiefs’ draft savvy could be the perfect match. Read more in detail here: kansas city chiefs schedule.
While everyone expected the Kansas City Chiefs to stockpile receivers after Tyreek Hill’s departure, general manager Brett Veach went a different way in the 2022 NFL draft. That isn’t to say the AFC West team has entirely neglected the attacking aspect of the game. They selected Skyy Moore at wide receiver and signed Justyn Ross following the draft.
Those who aren’t as familiar with collegiate football may be unfamiliar with that moniker. Even if you’re a die-hard Clemson fan, you’ve probably forgotten about the Clemson receiver in recent years.
While that fact is understandable given Ross’ unfortunate injuries, there may be a silver lining to the circumstance. His background, along with the Chiefs’ propensity to take chances on high-potential athletes, may have put him in an ideal circumstance.
Justyn Ross is a first-round prospect who was overlooked in the draft owing to a string of poor luck.
Clemson Tigers’ Justyn Ross during his time there. | Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images
Sometimes all you have to do is glance at a player’s numbers to know something horrible has occurred. Justyn Ross’ stats, sadly, neatly match that formula.
Ross has 46 receptions for 1,000 yards and nine touchdowns in his debut season at Clemson. In his second season, he caught 66 receptions for 865 yards and eight touchdowns. The stat line during his junior season is thereafter entirely blank.
According to ESPN’s Adam Teicher, the wideout’s absence began in the spring of 2020, when he was “diagnosed with a congenital fusion in his spine.” Ross had surgery and missed the whole 2020 season, despite predictions that he would never play football again, before returning to the Tigers in 2021. He returned to the field, but was forced to sit out due to a stress fracture in his foot.
Ross’ talent was previously obvious — Teicher says he was once considered a “eventual first-round draft choice” — but injuries seem to have frightened everyone away. However, the Chiefs remained unfazed.
Last year’s choice to pick Trey Smith led to the signing of Ross.
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Those who follow the Kansas City Chiefs carefully will recognize the club’s acquisition of a draft prospect with a questionable medical background. Trey Smith was taken in the sixth round last year. The lineman, like Ross, had originally seemed to be a top prospect, but he lost time due to blood clot troubles and dropped down the depth chart. As a rookie in Kansas City, he started all 17 games and established himself as a crucial member of the team’s improving offensive line.
While you might argue that Ross’ ailment is unique — it’s hard to be an explosive wide receiver with a back issue, while Smith’s blood clots only limited his availability – it’s easy to perceive the two decisions as part of the same thinking process. Given Kansas City’s budget limits, every cent must be squeezed.
The receiver won’t fetch much in terms of pay as an undrafted free agent with a shaky injury history, and he may be quickly released if required. He’ll give a decent receiving option for close to nothing if he can return some of his NCAA form.
Patrick Mahomes’ arsenal is increasing, and the receiver might add to it.
There are legitimate concerns about Ross’ ability to make an impact in the NFL. He’s only played 10 games of football since 2020 and didn’t appear like the same receiver that exploded into the limelight during his senior year. Having said that, it’s clear where he’ll fit in with Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs.
Ross is noted as having “excellent size and length to mismatch small corners” in his NFL.com scouting report. His ability to save low passes, “bouncy” agility, and footwork are all mentioned. The receiver “is most productive in a passing approach that involves vertical passes, where his stride length and build-up speed will work in his favor,” according to analyst Lance Zierlein.
Does any of this sound familiar?
While Patrick Mahomes has understood the value of accepting what the defense offers him, the Chiefs’ quarterback is also capable of launching a long pass. Although Mecole Hardman is likely to be the best vertical threat, Andy Reid might send both Hardman and Ross downfield, forcing the defense to pick between the two.
Furthermore, Kansas City might offer a reasonably safe atmosphere for Ross to regain his footing and demonstrate his ability to contribute. Travis Kelce, JuJu Smith-Schuster, Marquez Valdes-Scantling, and Mecole Hardman comprise a good receiving corps, even if they don’t have Tyreek Hill’s game-breaking speed. While the Chiefs’ brass will most likely hope that Skyy Moore and Ross can contribute right away, it’s unlikely that they’ll be the number two option this fall.
It’s also worth mentioning that Ross is a large receiver who will join Mahomes in Kansas City; Mahomes has previously said that he isn’t accustomed to throwing to a group of this size. This resemblance, along with the fact that Smith-deal Schuster’s is just for one year, means Ross might have a bigger role in 2023.
There’s no way of knowing how things will turn out in Kansas City right now. It’s probable that the wideout will be cut before training camp. Despite this, the Chiefs seem to favor high-potential athletes with a history of injury. If everything works out, this move may put Mahomes, Ross, and the Chiefs offense in a great position.
Sports-Reference.com provided the statistics.
Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs’ 2017 NFL Draft Class Regraded
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