News & Info/Headlines

Chiefs Announce Maclin's Signing; WR Gets $55 Million Over Five Years
It's now official. ... The Chiefs have announced the signing of former Eagles wideout Jeremy Maclin, who set career highs with 85 catches for 1,318 yards last season and tied his career best with 10 touchdowns.

The question for fantasy football owners is whether he can duplicate that kind of production in Kansas City?

As NFL.com's Gregg Rosenthal pointed out, Maclin will provide a vertical threat for a team that doesn't go deep often. Perhaps Alex Smith will try to go down the field more with Maclin around, but it doesn't suit Smith's short-tossing skill set. Smith threw 18 touchdown passes last season, but none of them went to receivers.

But Maclin will be the "Z" receiver in Kansas City, and that's the position that makes Andy Reid's offense go.

In addition, he doesn't have much talent around him, so there shouldn't be a shortage of targets.

Still, Maclin only averaged 64 catches per year in four seasons under Reid in Philadelphia.

Meanwhile, the Chiefs are expected to release Dwayne Bowe in part to clear room for Maclin.

The team's first-round pick in 2007, Bowe has had an inconsistent career. He has been criticized at times for poor work ethic and being out of shape, and the team often has not used him to best effect. Bowe's best seasons were in 2010 and 2011, when he averaged 76 catches for 1,160 yards and 10 touchdowns. In the three years since, he has averaged 59 receptions for 743 yards and three scores.

They previously released wide receivers Donnie Avery and A.J. Jenkins.

Junior Hemingway was second on the team last season among wideouts in snaps but he only has 12 catches for 108 yards. Albert Wilson was second in yards. Jason Avant was added to the roster with five games to play after he was released by Carolina. Avant caught 13 passes for 152 yards. The Chiefs' receiver pool was so shallow last season that he became the No. 2 target for several weeks.

Avant will be 32 at the start of training camp and it's doubtful the Chiefs will re-sign him.

Maclin gives the group a veteran to build around, with the Chiefs likely to invest more resources at the position in free agency and the draft. With Jamaal Charles and Travis Kelce in place, the Chiefs are not lacking weapons.

But as fantasy owners with Charles and Kelce on their rosters last season will tell you, Reid tends to forget about his playmakers at times. We'll be looking for signs that might change as we head into the season. ...

Meanwhile, Maclin's departure leaves the Eagles with Riley Cooper, Jordan Matthews and not much else left at wideout. But of course, with Sam Bradford as their new quarterback, maybe wide receivers won't be as necessary a weapon.