Cyrus Allen was one of the loudest preseason stories around the Chiefs, but the rookie wide receiver still hasn’t had much of a chance to show it when the games count.
That could change on Sunday in Miami.
Kansas City heads to Florida to face the Dolphins in a game it is heavily favored to win by double digits, and that setup creates a natural opening to get Allen more involved. If the Chiefs can control the game early, it would make sense to let the rookie settle in and see some extended action for the first time.
So far, the usage has been minimal. Allen played just one snap in Week 1 against the Denver Broncos and then logged only three snaps, or 4 percent of the plays, in last week’s game against the Indianapolis Colts. His lone target came on that opening-week snap against Denver, when a third-down pass his way was batted down at the line of scrimmage.
That kind of slow ramp-up fits the way Andy Reid and the Chiefs have handled rookie receivers before. Jalen Royals, who was selected a round earlier than Allen in the previous draft, barely saw the field as a rookie last season. Royals appeared in seven of 17 games, finished with only two catches for four yards and three targets, and didn’t score his first career touchdown until last week against the Colts.
The patience has a familiar logic to it, but it can also be frustrating. Kansas City’s offense was already underwhelming last season, and with the buzz Allen drew in camp, it would be understandable to want a quicker payoff.
Wide receivers coach Chad O’Shea praised Allen this week while also making it clear the process is still ongoing.
“Cyrus is doing a great job,” O’Shea said. “It’s always a work in progress with a rookie, especially at the receiver position, playing in an offense that's been intact for so many years.
“He's done a great job of everyday improving … He's done that both fundamentally and schematically with a lot to learn.I think he's really embraces the challenge of let's get better at something small everyday, and he's done that.
“So I like his progress, I'm very excited about his future and if he just continues to work and make those small improvements then I think we're going to be real happy at the end with Cyrus.”
Sunday looks like the cleanest chance yet to put that development on the field. Even if the game stays competitive, Allen could still benefit from a larger role. Game reps against real defenses matter, and the Chiefs have enough healthy bodies at receiver to make room for him.
Xavier Worthy and Rashee Rice haven’t exactly taken over through two games, Royals is still a limited piece despite his touchdown, and Tyquan Thornton has hit on a couple of deep shots without looking like a WR1 or WR2. That leaves Allen as a player worth testing sooner rather than later.
Could he eventually grow into the Chiefs’ top target? Maybe. Sunday would be a good place to start finding out.
In Other News...
Chiefs Suddenly Have Real Stakes At Left Tackle Against Miami
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The broader injury picture tilts more in Kansas Citys favor than Miamis, with the Dolphins set to be without wide receiver Caleb Douglas because of an ankle injury and running back Jaylen Wright also doubtful. Even so, the Chiefs attention is likely to stay on the tackle spot, where the absence of Simmons turns a routine week into a test of depth and flexibility. For a team built around Mahomes, the line in front of him often shapes the whole game, and this one has suddenly become a real storyline. [Read more 🡒]
Chiefs Receiver Search Starts With 5 Names Fans Should Track Now
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There is obvious urgency behind the work. The Chiefs have dealt with inconsistencies at wide receiver, and Rashee Rices looming free agency only sharpens the need to find another reliable option in the passing game. For now, the job is simple enough: keep watching these names week after week and see which one looks like the best fit for a team that may need help there sooner rather than later. [Read more 🡒]
Chiefs Are Asking Rashee Rice To Do Something Risky
The Chiefs have been using Rashee Rice in a new offensive wrinkle that borrows from a Los Angeles Rams concept, one that asks the receiver to do more than just get open. Its a physical job built around blocking and a C-Gap insert route, and Rice has already been working it into games as Kansas City looks to create more play-action chances and keep defenses guessing.
Its a fitting showcase for Rice, who has earned praise from offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy for the way hes handled the assignment. Still, the role comes with a built-in concern for Kansas City, since Rices smaller frame and the teams thin wide receiver depth make every extra collision feel a little more consequential, especially with his contract situation still unsettled. [Read more 🡒]