Case can be made for Marquez Valdes-Scantling to become Chiefs’ top wide receiver
For the second straight season, Marquez Valdes-Scantling finds himself as the elder statesman of the Chiefs’ wide receiver room. But there’s a difference this time.
“I was learning the offense last year,” he said.
He knows it so well now he could teach it, Valdes-Scantling says, and he does by offering tips and advice to the position group that is drawing much of the preseason attention as training camp continues at Missouri Western State University in St. Joseph.
“When guys ask me questions, I can coach those guys up,” Valdes-Scantling said. “I’ve been fortunate enough to be in this league for quite some time. I’ve had some vets teach me things, and being able to go out and teach (our) guys, it’s an honor.”
Valdes-Scantling joins Justin Watson, Skyy Moore and Kadarius Toney as wide receivers who return for the Chiefs, all in their second season. Toney is out, nursing a knee injury suffered as training camp opened for veterans, so the number of wideouts with game experience in an Andy Reid system is even smaller at the moment.
Of the group, Valdes-Scantling could be poised to produce the biggest numbers, perhaps even become the favorite target after tight end Travis Kelce. He’s been one of Mahomes’ favorite targets at camp, and a long completion between the two was a highlight of Friday’s practice.
That came two days after Valdes-Scantling took a deep pass from fellow wide receiver Richie James on one of the first trick plays of camp.
In Mahomes’ five years as a starter, his top wide receiver target has been a Pro Bowl player. Tyreek Hill filled that role early, and last year it was JuJu Smith-Schuster. None of the current Chiefs wide receivers have reached that level.
But Valdes-Scantling, who spent his first NFL seasons in Green Bay catching passes from Aaron Rodgers, is the most proven player. Last season, he caught 42 passes for a 16.4-yard-per-catch average, often serving as a deep threat.
He recorded two regular-season touchdowns and matched that number in the postseason, with scores against the Jacksonville Jaguars in the Divisional Round and the Cincinnati Bengals in the AFC Championship Game.
The Bengals game brought out the best in Valdes-Scantling and showed that he could be a position leader. Mahomes found him six times on eight targets for 116 yards, his highest output in the regular season or playoffs.
In that game, the Chiefs had lost Smith-Schuster and Mecole Hardman to injuries, and an injured Watson didn’t suit up. Kick-coverage specialist Marcus Kemp, who hadn’t caught a pass all season and had four receptions in four years with the Chiefs, was forced into offensive action.
Valdes-Scantling played like a No. 1 wide receiver that day, and that call may come his way as the Chiefs look to defend their Super Bowl title.
“It was good to be part of last year’s team, it was a great accomplishment,” Valdes-Scantling said. “We have to reset and do it all over again.”
This story was originally published July 30, 2023 at 6:00 AM.