Patrick Mahomes has been given a new speedster receiver on his explosive Kansas City Chiefs offense – snapping up free agent Richie James.
After losing Tyreek Hill to the Miami Dolphins last season, the Chiefs had struggled to find a speedy receiver to help them stretch the field.
Instead the Chiefs changed their offense on their way to Super Bowl glory, with Mahomes having less of an onus to get the ball downfield in one deep throw, choosing to work the ball up the field with short-yardage throws to open receivers.
It was a recipe that worked perfectly, as Mahomes looked back to his best and went on to lead the Chiefs to a second Lombardi Trophy in four seasons. However, the lack of deep-threat speed was a miss in the team.
And although no signing will replace the calibre of player that Hill had been, new signing James could be used in that similar role.
It was announced on Friday evening that the Chiefs had signed James, after the best season of his career with 57 catches, 569 yards and four touchdowns for the New York Giants.
A player who is primarily been used as a deep-threat receiver, James fills an area of need for the Chiefs, and could be a vital cog in certain offensive formations this upcoming season – as a player to stretch the field, aiding superstar tight end Travis Kelce in the open field.
