The Kansas City Chiefs are 6-1 and are tied for the best record in the NFL, but there is no doubt they could use some improvements.
The Chiefs have already started adding pieces to their roster, bringing wide receiver Mecole Hardman back into the fold with a trade with the New York Jets ahead of Week 7.
But Kansas City may not be done.
Here are three targets for the Chiefs heading into the Oct. 31 NFL deadline.
JuJu Smith-Schuster, New England Patriots
Just because Kansas City re-acquired Hardman does not mean that its problem at wide out has suddenly been solved.
The Chiefs let both Hardman and JuJu Smith-Schuster walk in free agency during the offseason, and they have seen the adverse effects of it this year as they did not adequately replace either player.
Kansas City has only hit 30 points twice through its first seven games, and much of that is a direct result of the Chiefs not having many options outside of Travis Kelce in the aerial attack.
Bringing Smith-Schuster back would certainly be a big help, as the club won a Super Bowl with him as its No. 1 receiver last season.
Smith-Schuster has fallen out of favor with the Patriots and could very well be available for trade. The Chiefs are also very familiar with him, so it wouldn’t take him much time to get re-adjusted.
Marquise Brown, Arizona Cardinals
While Smith-Schuster may be the more realistic target, the Chiefs could always try and swing big with Marquise Brown.
Brown is in the final year of his deal with a Cardinals club that appears headed for a rebuild this offseason, so he may very well walk via free agency.
For that reason, Arizona may want to move Brown now in order to recoup some value for him.
Brown is a speedster who would represent Kansas City’s best deep threat since Tyreek Hill and could spell him in the offense.
No, Brown does not have the all-around talent that Hill does, but you can imagine that Patrick Mahomes would certainly be able to get the best out of him.
Brown wouldn’t come cheap, but he may be exactly what the Chiefs need to further establish themselves as Super Bowl favorites.
Josey Jewell, Denver Broncos
Nick Bolton’s injury has opened up a sudden need at middle linebacker for the Chiefs, and Josey Jewell may be the answer they need.
Jewell is in the final year of his deal with the Broncos, so Kansas City would have no obligation to him beyond this season if it acquires him. He would merely be a temporary replacement for Bolton.
It’s hard to imagine Denver having any intention of re-signing Jewell, who turns 29 years old on Christmas Day. The Broncos are just 2-5 and are facing an imminent rebuild, so they may want to cash in on Jewell now when they still have the chance.
Jewell isn’t a star, but he is more than serviceable and would help patch up the Chiefs’ linebacking corps with Bolton sidelined.
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