KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The magnifying glass of the AFC Championship Game shined light on the Kansas City Chiefs' need for additions at wide receiver.
New England's defense double-teamed Tyreek Hill through much of the game, playing press coverage on the other receiving options in KC's the offense.
With that defensive game plan, the Patriots were able to put consistent pressure on Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, which helped fuel a first-half defensive shutout.
Fast forward three months and the need for additions at wide receiver remains a pressing issue. Here are some receivers who fit the bill for the Chiefs high-powered offense:
ADDITIONAL NFL DRAFT COVERAGE
[April 10 — Nick Jacobs: Best running back fits]
[Today — Nick Jacobs: Best wide receiver fits]
[April 12 — Nick Jacobs: Best tight end fits]
[April 15 — Nick Jacobs: Best interior offensive line fits]
[April 16 — Nick Jacobs: Best offensive tackle fits]
[April 17 — Nick Jacobs: Best edge rusher fits]
[April 18 — Nick Jacobs: Seven-round Chiefs mock draft, v 1.0]
[April 18 — Nick Jacobs: best defensive tackle fits]
[April 19 — Nick Jacobs: First-round mock draft]
[April 19 — Nick Jacobs: Best linebacker fits]
[April 22 — Nick Jacobs: Best cornerback fits]
BEST WIDE RECEIVER FITS FOR CHIEFS
1. Marquise Brown, Oklahoma
Height: 5-9 — Weight: 166 — 40-yard dash: n/a
Brown has the speed to take it the distance on any route or any play. He has great double moves with his stutters and explodes out of his stop and start.
The former Sooners star also has great open-field vision and the ability to help his quarterback during "fire drill" situations. Brown's size could be cause for concern about his durability at the next level, but his rare speed outweighs it.
2. A.J. Brown, Mississippi
Height: 6-0 — Weight: 226 — 40-yard dash: 4.49 seconds
Brown has great size combined with good speed. His route tree was limited at Ole Miss, so he likely would need time to expand his ability in that department.
Brown is explosive with the ball in his hands and great vision in the open field.
3. Riley Ridley, Georgia
Height: 6-1 — Weight: 199 — 40-yard dash: 4.58 seconds
Ridley catches the ball cleanly and makes the timing of his extension look routine against cornerbacks. He sets up his releases, breaks and double moves with subtle sells in his route.
The younger brother of Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Calvin Ridley, he gets separation just by being a savvy route runner. Ridley trusts his technique and is calm tracking the football.
4. Deebo Samuel, South Carolina
Height: 5-11 — Weight: 214 — 40-yard dash: 4.48 seconds
Samuel has the speed to outrun pursuit angles. He is willing to attack the football and catches it cleanly.
The former Gamecocks star is strong enough to break tackles and knows how to find voids in coverage.
5. D.K. Metcalf, Mississippi
Height: 6-3 — Weight: 228 — 40-yard dash: 4.33 seconds
Metcalf has good speed on tape but not elite speed as his 40-yard dash time suggests.
He struggles to climb back on top of routes and routinely allows himself to be pushed to the boundary.
Metcalf didn't fight for position on tape but has long arms to extend for passes. He has good vision in the open field, but a limited route tree will demand patience in his development.
6. Preston Williams, Colorado State
Height: 6-4 — Weight: 210 — 40-yard dash: n/a
Williams does a good job getting clean releases with his technique. He has a good catch radius and will sacrifice his body for the football.
Add it up, and it means Williams is a red-zone mismatch on jump balls. He handles slants and crossing routes well, but doesn't get great separation on the routes based on his speed.
7. Paris Campbell, Ohio State
Height: 5-11 — Weight: 205 — 40-yard dash: 4.31 seconds
Campbell will be a solid third receiver as he develops the finer points in his game. He has good speed, vision in the open field, and catches the ball cleanly along with a good feel for voids in zone coverage.
8. Andy Isabella, Massachusetts
Height: 5-8 — Weight: 188 — 40-yard dash: 4.31 seconds
Isabella needs to trust his speed rather than waste motion with head fakes and stutters to get open. He is explosive once the ball is in his hands and showcases great vision in the open field.
Isabella makes tough over-the-shoulder catches look routine, but he must refine his route-running at the next level.
9. Tyre Brady, Marshall
Height: 6-2 — Weight: 211 — 40-yard dash: n/a
Brady might have the strongest hands among this year's receivers. He provides the best of both worlds with qualities of both a possession and speed receiver
Brady makes contested catches look easy, runs crisp routes, and makes over-the-shoulder catches look effortless.
10. Stanley Morgan Jr., Nebraska
Height: 6-0 — Weight: 202 — 40-yard dash: 4.53 seconds
Morgan is a strong possession receiver who moves the chains. He is willing to make the tough catches over the middle and attacks the football when it is thrown his way.
Additionally, Morgan has impressive hands and finds ways to create separation through his cuts and by boxing out defenders.
Other receivers that are ideal fits for the Chiefs' scheme: Jalen Hurd (Baylor), Penny Hart (Georgia State), Jakobi Meyers (NC State), Hunter Renfrow (Clemson), Greg Dortch (Wake Forest) and Lil'Jordan Humphrey (Texas)
The Chiefs have a solid group of prospects to pick from in this year's draft.
While the urgency to find a receiver capable of making an immediate impact isn't high right now, the ability exists to make additions that help the group become a strength of the roster.
General manager Brett Veach should have plenty of options from the first to sixth rounds for Kansas City to find a receiver able to contribute in 2019.
You can listen to the "4th and 1" podcast with Tod Palmer and Nick Jacobs on iTunes, Stitcher , Spotify , and TuneIn. You can also find Jacobs on twitter @Jacobs71.
