Chiefs Wideouts juggle routes – while coaches juggle roster

A year ago, the story was pretty much the same: We were sure Tyreek Hill, Sammy Watkins, Demarcus Robinson and Mecole Hardman would be the top four receivers when the Kansas City Chiefs began their season. But after those four, the list picture was less clear.

When he spoke to reporters on Thursday, Chiefs wide receiver coach Greg Lewis didn’t provide much clarity.

“It’s an act of juggling all the receivers involved here,” he said. “My big thing – and what Coach (Andy) Reid is preaching to me – is making sure everyone knows every position, because in a match situation you never know who might come down.

It wasn’t a big surprise. Earlier this week, second-year wide receiver Jody Fortson said it was one of his top priorities this offseason: knowing every wide receiver position.

And Lewis said Fortson did that.

“Jody came in as a test guy; we released him and he came back. He was playing on the tight side and then moved on to the receiver. So being able to really focus on a position – and understand what’s going on with the attack at the receiver position – [has] allowed him to play faster and play more physically, [to] let her natural talents show.

“I think he’s done a tremendous job on this throughout this offseason and through training camp so far. He’s a guy who is a workaholic – he wants to be awesome – [so] he will do everything to give himself the opportunity to be part of what we do.

Lewis said it was much the same with Hardman, who is also entering his sophomore year.

“I want him to work on getting bigger, more explosive – he was obviously explosive last year, but he’s got more of him – and just understand all facets of offense. I think he did a great job in the offseason doing these things – and coming back prepared and ready to get to work. I’m excited to know where he is right now – and what’s going to come with him.

And then there’s Marcus Kemp, who looked like he was on the verge of going from a special teams ace to a wide receiver during training camp a year ago – until he suffered an injury from end of season.

“I was devastated when Kemp was injured last year,” Lewis recalls, “because he’s a guy who has worked steadily every day since he’s been here – and he had a great camp there. ‘last year. I think he was on his way to being part of the team.

“Getting it back was awesome. He knows everything. He’s a working guy – and there’s no question about anything. He’s going to be diligent with whatever he has to do – and he brings value to special teams like no other. So it’s exciting to find him in the room. We’ll see where it goes from there.

Wide receiver Byron Pringle – whom special teams coordinator Dave Toub has named as one of his best ‘gunners’ for clearance coverage and has also worked as a returner – appears to have an inside track to take fifth behind Hardman , presumably leaving the battle to become the sixth wide receiver between Fortson and Kemp. Would Kemp’s special teams experience give him the edge? Or would the Chiefs think Fortson might have more advantages as a Broad? Lewis doesn’t say it – but he seems to think the chefs have enough talent available.

“We have to keep putting the guys in a position to be successful,” he said. “Understanding everything is important – then, technically, making sure everyone is on the same page and able to do the same things. Some may be better than others, but we are able to do the job with anyone.