Chiefs WR depth chart: How Mecole Hardman, JuJu Smith-Schuster, others project without Tyreek Hill
The Chiefs’ wide receiver depth chart will be missing a familiar face in 2022. Mainstay Tyreek Hill was traded to the Dolphins after contract extension talks stalled, meaning Patrick Mahomes has some fresh faces in the wide receiver space this season.
While tight end Travis Kelce is still in the game this season, meaning Mahomes is far from paralyzed, the other receivers he throws at are almost entirely new. Byron Pringle departed for Chicago while Mecole Hardman stayed in Kansas City, and JuJu Smith-Schuster, Marquez Valdes-Scantling and rookie Skyy Moore will attempt to recreate Kansas City’s incredible offensive performance with Hill.
Hill’s loss is significant by any measure. He is a two-time All-Pro and six-time Pro Bowler who spent five seasons with Mahomes. During those years, he mustered over 6,000 yards and 50 touchdowns, second-highest in the last five years behind Davante Adams. He is fourth in yards behind Adams, Kelce and DeAndre Hopkins.
The Sporting News looks at what his loss means for the Chiefs offense in 2022 and how the other receivers will fare with Mahomes — not to mention what it means for Mahomes himself.
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Who are the Chiefs 2022 recipients?
Without Hill and Pringle, the Chiefs present a very different look next season. Hired from the Steelers and Packers respectively, JuJu Smith-Schuster and Marquez Valdes-Scantling join veteran Hardman and rookie Skyy Moore in free agency.
In other words, it takes a village for the Chiefs to replace Hill. Smith-Schuster and Valdes-Scantling will reportedly be the top two targets in Kansas City, but don’t expect Kelce’s production to slow down. Josh Gordon is also an X factor in this equation, but his lack of production over the years could mean he’s a stock body.
It’s a longshot that Gordon makes the list, but after the top 4 in KC it’s a bit of a crapshoot.
Chiefs predicted recipients’ career stats for 2022
| player | Year | RECORD | YDS | TD’s | catch% |
| Marquez Valdes scantling | 5 | 123 | 2.153 | 13 | 49.8% |
| JuJu Smith-Schuster | 6 | 323 | 3,855 | 26 | 68.8% |
| Mecole Hardman | 4 | 126 | 1,791 | 12 | 67.7% |
| Sky Moore | R | — | — | — | — |
| Josh Gordon | 8th | 252 | 4,284 | 21 | 52.9% |
Valdes-Scantling’s catch percentage with Aaron Rodgers throwing the ball to him is frankly a bit alarming, but maybe Mahomes and the Chiefs’ offense can make things work a little better.
Hardman should actually see a lot more possibilities in this makeup. A top-level threat that can stretch a defense, he could actually see a lot of Hill’s downfield touches while Valdes-Scantling and Smith-Schuster fare better at short-to-mid range. They should also be effective in the red zone, where both are adept at using space (or lack thereof) to their advantage.
MORE: Tyreek Hill explains how Davante Adams’ contract, Tua Tagovailoa, influenced decision to leave Chiefs for Dolphins
Who do the Chiefs lose?
The Chiefs are losing a lot of production, of course, and it’s not just at Hill.
Pringle was picked off by the Bears after breaking for 500 yards in 2021, no small feat on this Kansas City offense. In terms of who they’re getting back, Kelce is the Chiefs’ key recurring producer.
Tyreek Hill and Byron Pringle career stats
| player | Year | RECORD | YDS | TD’s | catch% |
| Tyreek Hill | 7 | 479 | 6,630 | 56 | 67.7% |
| Byron Pringle | 4 | 67 | 898 | 7 | 72% |
The Chiefs are clearly banking on their MVP-level quarterback being able to replicate his production no matter who he throws. The Chiefs were second in the NFL in a pass last year, behind only Tom Brady’s Buccaneers.
Smith-Schuster and Valdes-Scantling will likely battle for the lion’s share of goals outside of Kelce, but hope for the Chiefs is undoubtedly they can take on a mound. It’s a tall order for KC, but if anyone is up to the task, it’s Mahomes.