Kansas City Chiefs top training camp battles to watch
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The Kansas City Chiefs are mostly set at their starting spots but there are a few positions that are still up for grabs.
Probably the most intriguing camp battle is at the WR position. Many will point to the ILB battle between Akeem Jordan and rookie Nico Johnson as the top battle but I just don’t think it is as interesting as the battle at WR. Jordan isn’t really starting material and while he seems to have the edge right now, should Johnson perform well throughout the preseason, he may find himself stepping into a starting role on opening day.
At receiver, there are no guarantees past Dwayne Bowe. Jonathan Baldwin and Donnie Avery seem to be locks for the #2 and slot receiver positions but Baldwin has never done anything in actual games to make Chiefs fans feel confident he can produce in a featured role.
That means that guys like Dexter McCluster, Devon Wylie and Junior Hemingway are fighting it out for the #4 and 5 spots. McCluster seems to have a death grip on things. The Chiefs love his versatility and seem to be featuring him in the return game. Still, Wylie and Hemingway are coming on strong.
Who should be the “favorite” to come out on top?
McCluster is certainly the favorite here but Wylie and Hemingway could also do battle. Hemingway has better size and is more of a possession receiver so it may come down to which guy Andy Reid likes more in certain situations. I could see Hemingway getting more action around the goal line when Reid wants to go big.
In the end, the primary receivers are likely to be Bowe and Baldwin with Avery in the slot. Reid will probably work in McCluster quite a bit out of the backfield and as a returner. Hemingway and Wylie could be fighting for a roster spot depending on how the final 53 works out.
Of all these receivers, Jonathan Baldwin has the most to prove. He is where he is on the depth chart thanks to his athletic talents and flashes he has shown in practice. That said, Andy Reid and GM John Dorsey didn’t draft Baldwin. The third-year player had better produce or he isn’t likely to get another chance with the Chiefs.