Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid is talking up wide receiver Kadarius Toney, but impressive offseason work might not be enough to keep him from being cut. Selected in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft, the Florida product is one of the most electric players in the league with the ball in his hands. Unfortunately, getting the ball to him in the first place is something of an issue.
Toney is one of the least reliable receivers in football, routinely dropping easy passes with disastrous results. The inconsistency combined with off-field issues and a seemingly endless string of injuries makes Kadarius Toney an easy cut candidate. According to a recent article by Bleacher Report, Kansas City could part ways with the talented but unproductive wide receiver.
Kadarius Toney Named A Potential Cut Candidate, Could Find Interested Teams
Despite winning the past two Super Bowls, Kansas City entered the offseason with a glaring need at wide receiver. The addressed the issues, signing Marquise Brown to a one-year deal while selecting the speedy Xavier Worthy in the first round. In theory, these two combined with 2023 second-round pick Rashee Rice could make Kadarius Toney an expendable cut candidate.
Fortunately for Toney, however, cracks are already forming in this depth chart. Rashee Rice won’t stop being stupid and Worthy is battling a hamstring injury. While the rookie’s ailment doesn’t appear to be severe, Rice will face a heavy suspension to start the season. Depending on the punishment handed down, the Chiefs might not be able to cut Kadarius Toney.
However, for the sake of argument, let’s assume the Chiefs cut Kadarius Toney. While he won’t be the hottest commodity on the open market, a team will take a risk on his talent. Despite all the flaws, you can’t teach his movement, and that alone could justify a spot on the practice squad, at the very least.
Potential Destinations
Los Angeles Chargers
The Chargers should be interested in just about every wide receiver on the market. Ladd McConkey offers some interesting upside, but Quentin Johnston had a historically bad rookie season and everyone else on the depth chart is either untested or unremarkable. Kadarius Toney has a wide range of outcomes and, while it’s not particularly likely, the cut candidate could be a dangerous weapon if he puts it all together. With nothing left to lose, Los Angeles might as well kick the tires and see what he can do.
New England Patriots
Back in his day, Bill Belichick loved to bring in former high draft picks to see if they had anything left in their tank. The eight-time Super Bowl champion might be gone, but there are enough holdovers from his era to assume that this line of thinking could live on in New England. Kadarius Toney might not be good enough for the Chiefs, but he should be able to cut it with New England’s lackluster array of receivers.
Baltimore Ravens
The Ravens have several needs on the roster and limited resources with which to address them. Odell Beckham’s departure means that Rashod Bateman, Nelson Agholor, and rookie DeVontez Walker will spend the year battling for the third spot in the passing attack after Mark Andrews and Zay Flowers. Kadarius Toney might not win that battle but could compete for targets if the Chiefs cut him.
Pittsburgh Steelers
The Steelers are blatantly in the market for a new wide receiver. George Pickens is great, but somebody must fill the Diontae Johnson role. While the Steelers aimed for D.K. Metcalf, Brandon Aiyuk, and Courtland Sutton, they could settle for Kadarius Toney after the Chiefs cut him. Mike Tomlin excels at getting the most out of talented receivers with attitude problems, so perhaps history can repeat itself here.
Carolina Panthers
The Panthers have two reliable but unremarkable starters in Diontae Johnson and Adam Thielen paired with a high-risk, high-reward first-round pick in Xavier Legette. Perhaps these three players are enough to salvage Bryce Young, but Carolina shouldn’t close the door on Kadarius Toney if the Chiefs release him. Seeing as he’s basically free, the Panthers could bring him in for next to nothing, see if he can beat out someone like Terrace Marshall, and see how things work from there.
Main Photo: Denny Medley – USA Today Sports
