Daniel Racz @Danny___Dimes

Introduction

One of the most underappreciated positions in the NFL is slot wide receiver. A good slot receiver provides a safety blanket for the offense and is crucial in short-yardage situations. On the Jets over the past few seasons, Jamison Crowder has been their slot receiver. During his two seasons with Gang Green, Crowder has finished with a PFF grade in the 70s, firmly placing him as an above-average wide receiver. 

However, the Jets are undergoing major changes on every level. New head coach Robert Saleh drafted BYU quarterback in the first round, and Ole Miss slot receiver Elijah Moore in the second round. The Jets are looking to add cornerbacks to their depth chart, and they need to free up some money. Crowder has missed OTAs because the Jets asked him to take a pay cut. If Crowder does not take a pay cut, the Jets will either trade him or cut him, freeing up 10 million dollars and forcing Crowder onto a new team. Though every team could use a slot receiver, two stick out as the best landing spots.

Kansas City Chiefs

During free agency, the Kansas City Chiefs pursued Steelers’ slot receiver Juju Smith-Schuster. While Juju did not accept their offer, the Chiefs still have a glaring need at wide receiver. The Chiefs’ depth chart past Tyreek Hill is Mecole Hardman, Demarcus Robinson, Byron Pringle, and Cornell Powell. Now I do not know what a Byron Pringle, Demarcus Robinson, or Cornell Powell are, but I know that the Chiefs need competent wide receivers. Tyreek Hill and Travis Kelce are the clear alphas in the Chiefs offense, and Hardman and Clyde Edwards-Helaire will see meaningful targets in the passing offense, but beyond that, it is a wasteland.

Tyreek can play from the slot or succeed from the outside. If Crowder were to sign with the Chiefs, Hill would kick out to the outside virtually any snap that he would share with Crowder. Crowder could succeed in the underneath area of the field, giving Kelce and Hill the chance to run deeper routes and rip off big plays.

Chicago Bears

After a quiet free agency and active 2021 NFL draft, the Bears still have a hole at slot receiver. The Bears are still looking to trade Anthony Miller, meaning the Bears may not have a true slot receiver on their roster come September. 7th round pick Dazz Newsome had an opportunity to win the slot role this offseason, but he broke his collarbone and may not be healthy in time for training camp. The Bears’ current receiver room boasts Allen Robinson, Darnell Mooney, and new acquisition Damiere Bryd. Byrd and Mooney are burners, while Robinson is a true alpha, outside wide receiver. 

Jamison Crowder would be the front runner for the slot role in the Windy City if he were to sign with the Bears. Though Andy Dalton is the current top quarterback on the Bears’ roster, it is only a matter of time until Justin Fields takes control. Fields’ Ohio State success came from his exceptional deep accuracy, but a safety blanket like Crowder can help acclimate Fields to the league. 

The post Potential Fits for Jamison Crowder appeared first on Pro Football Mania.

Patrick Mahomes hasn’t “requested a trade”, but he’s been longing for a number two wide receiver since arriving in Kansas City. The Kansas City Chiefs offense has been lighting up the scoreboard, with or without top-end production from the WR2 spot. Yet, I believe the Chiefs could significantly improve their offense’s ceiling of explosion in any situation of unknown circumstances (like a Mahomes injury), or elite barricade in the way (Buccaneers defense). I believe a WR2 upgrade would prove huge dividends for Mahomes’s offense, especially with the loss of Sammy Watkins.

Matter of fact, I believe Andy Reid and the Chiefs haven’t put enough focus into the situation around Mahomes. They literally asked the highly gifted QB which RB he wanted the team to draft in the 2020 draft, which did have a sizable outcome in the pick. In the 2021 offseason, they’ve taken a step backward with the WR talent on the roster. The Chiefs are one injury to Tyreek Hill or Travis Kelce in a big situation for a very difficult course to be presented. Even with Kelce and Hill dazzling defenses, the second go-to target on the perimeter appears to be Mecole Hardman, who ousted a mere 560 yards/four receiving touchdowns last season. The WR situation is unequivocally a concern. 

The Chiefs ought to improve the WR situation, but where should they look? The Chiefs have been favored by many analysts to ink free agent Golden Tate. Tate would provide immediate dividends, but he’s not near the same level of aging slot WRs like Cole Beasley or Emmanuel Sanders. Father time has caught up with Tate, as the once Seahawks stud recorded 388 yards in 2020 — his lowest mark since 2011.

The Chiefs should hone in on a WR2 that’s very underrated, much younger than “overhyped” FA options, and on a team that’s rebuilding their unit: Jamison Crowder. Crowder would arguably be the best value acquisition for the Chiefs passing offense.

Crowder, who was once a savior for the Jets offense, now finds himself slowly being phased out of the Jets WR plans. New head coach Robert Saleh brought over Corey Davis, Keelan Cole, and recently drafted Elijah Mitchell in the second round. Crowder will compete for the starting slot role, but it’s unmistakably Mitchell’s job to lose as he gets situated to the pro level.

Crowder is a quality “starting” player and he would more than likely find himself back on the depth chart, as the 2021 year moves forward. The Jets YAC wideout ousted a career-high 58.3 YPG and six receiving touchdowns in 12 games on a very atrocious Jets offense last season. The Jets WR is an incredible weapon for any team and he’s only 27 years old — the same age as Tyreek Hill. If Crowder doesn’t get moved this off-season, it’s hard to paint a picture where he isn’t a trade candidate at the ritual trade block time next season. The Chiefs should acknowledge a good fit and puzzling outlook for the veteran wideout, then proceed to strike a trade with a mid to late-round pick for the WR that would be a big factor for the Chiefs late season battles.

The post the Kansas City Chiefs should trade for Jamison Crowder appeared first on Pro Football Mania.