The Chiefs are bringing back a familiar face as they continue to revamp their receiving corps ahead of the 2024 NFL season.
That would be JuJu Smith-Schuster. Kansas City is signing the veteran wide-out just over two weeks after his release from the Patriots, according to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero.
Smith-Schuster spent the 2022 NFL season with the Chiefs after he spent the first four seasons of his career with the Steelers. He racked up 78 catches for 933 yards and three touchdowns in Kansas City and finished the season as the team's second-leading receiver behind only Travis Kelce.
While Smith-Schuster wasn't the same, dynamic weapon he was during his early days in Pittsburgh, he still provided Patrick Mahomes with a solid, reliable target. His struggles in New England may not instill much confidence that he can regain his 2018 form, but he will still play a key role in Kansas City as the team adds depth to its receiving corps.
Here's what to know about the Chiefs' wide receiver depth chart and where Smith-Schuster may fit within it.
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Chiefs WR depth chart
The Chiefs kept seven receivers on their initial 53-man roster for the 2024 NFL season. They are as follows:
| Rank | Player |
| 1 | Rashee Rice |
| 2 | Hollywood Brown |
| 3 | Xavier Worthy |
| 4 | JuJu Smith-Schuster |
| 5 | Justin Watson |
| 6 | Mecole Hardman |
| 7 | Skyy Moore |
The Chiefs also kept Nikko Remigio, Justyn Ross and Montrell Washington on their practice squad. Remigio could see early-season game-day call-ups to the roster to serve as one of the team's top return men.
Below is more analysis of the role each receiver in the organization will play in Andy Reid's offense.
Starters
- Rashee Rice
- Hollywood Brown
- Xavier Worthy
Kansas City re-signing Smith-Schuster doesn't seem likely to impact the team's plan for its starters. Rice still figures to be a No. 1 threat from the slot while Brown and Worthy provide threatening, downfield speed on the outside.
That said, all three receivers enter the 2024 season with potential pitfalls. Rice will likely face a suspension for violating the NFL's personal conduct policy; it's just a matter of whether that punishment will be levied in 2024 or during the 2025 offseason.
The NFL's Brian McCarthy, who works PR for the league office, told NFL Network's Ian Rapoport that Rice is unlikely to be placed on the commissioner's exempt list.
"We don’t anticipate he’ll be placed on commissioner’s exempt unless there is a material change in the case," McCarthy said, per Rapoport.
That led Rapoport to believe a Rice suspension won't happen until after the season.
Meanwhile, Brown is dealing with a sternoclavicular injury that will cause him to miss the Chiefs' Week 1 matchup with the Ravens.
The Chiefs would probably like to start an experienced wide-out next to Worthy, who has sky-high potential but is still a rookie.
In Brown's current injury absence or in the instance of a suspension for Rice, Smith-Schuster could end up drawing into the lineup. He'll have to compete with some other veterans for playing time, however.
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Top backups
- JuJu Smith-Schuster
- Justin Watson
- Mecole Hardman
Smith-Schuster, Watson and Hardman figure to be the top backup receivers on Kansas City's roster, but each will play a different role with the team.
Smith-Schuster's most natural position is in the slot, so the Chiefs seemingly signed him as insurance in case Rice misses time. He may still get on the field on occasion if the Chiefs want to move Rice out wide, but at best, Smith-Schuster is probably the No. 4 receiver.
Watson and Hardman both have good speed, so they will probably back up Brown and Worthy respectively. That could allow them to see more playing time than Smith-Schuster, especially if Brown's injury is more severe than initially anticipated.
Several other roster candidates could challenge Watson or Hardman for a spot on the depth chart, but given their multi-year histories with the Chiefs, they appear to be on the inside of the roster bubble for now.
MORE: NFL Preseason injury tracker | RB depth charts
Potential roster candidates, practice squad players
- Skyy Moore
- Nikko Remigio
- Justyn Ross
- Montrell Washington
The Chiefs had plenty of potential-packed receivers who could make the 53-man roster if Kansas City decides to keep seven wide-outs. Moore ended up being the one who made the cut to earn the team's final roster spot.
Moore was a second-round pick by the Chiefs in 2022, but he hasn't become the dynamic slot weapon the team hoped. The 5-10, 195-pound playmaker has logged 43 catches, 494 yards and a touchdown across his first two seasons but will hope to earn a larger role in 2024.
The other three receivers who fought for roster spots all have potential as well. Remigio has looked like a threatening return man and spent the 2023 season on Kansas City's practice squad. Ross was once considered a first-round talent before a spine fusion surgery scared teams off. He has a 6-4, 210-pound frame that could make him a red-zone threat.
Washington spent part of the 2023 season on Kansas City's practice squad, so they are choosing to retain him again.
Cuts
- Kadarius Toney
- Cornell Powell
- Kyle Sheets
- Phillip Brooks
Toney was one of the NFL's most notable cuts ahead of the 53-man roster deadline. He was a first-round pick by the Giants in 2021 and has great speed, but he hasn't found consistent success in the NFL. The Chiefs gave Toney plenty of opportunities in 2023, but he struggled with drops and was ultimately fell behind Hardman on the depth chart, leading to his release.
Powell has a solid skill set, but he hasn't been able to crack Kansas City's roster in his four NFL seasons. Rather than place him on the practice squad a fourth time, the Chiefs are giving some other receivers a chance to prove themselves even after Powell had six catches for 104 yards and two touchdowns in the preseason.
Meanwhile, Sheets and Brooks were two undrafted free agents who had a tough path to a role in the organization. The addition of Smith-Schuster made it increasingly unlikely that Kansas City would keep them and sure enough, neither managed to claim a roster or practice squad spot.