KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- We're continuing our look at the Kansas City Chiefs' roster with the wide receivers.
2014 starts for the Chiefs: Dwayne Bowe 15, Donnie Avery 3, Frankie Hammond Jr. 3, De'Anthony Thomas 3, A.J. Jenkins2, Albert Wilson 2, Junior Hemingway 1.
2014 snaps for the Chiefs: Bowe 749, Hemingway 247, Jenkins 239, Hammond 237, Avery 217, Wilson 202, Thomas 175, Jason Avant 140.
Others on roster who didn't play for Chiefs in 2014: Armon Binns, Corbin Louks, Da'Rick Rogers, Fred Williams.
Potential free agent: Avant.
2014 recap: It wasn't a good season for the Chiefs at these positions by any measure. Their wide receivers were last in the league in catches, yardage and touchdowns. No Chiefs wide receiver scored a touchdown, an amazing statistic in the modern, pass-happy NFL. Bowe continued to struggle to get open on any kind of consistent basis and had numbers that were for him about average for his past three seasons (60 catches, 754 yards). Avery missed 10 games after having surgery to repair a sports hernia and wasn't able to be the deep threat the Chiefs desperately needed. The bright spots were Wilson, an undrafted rookie who came on late in the season, and Avant, who caught 13 passes despite joining the Chiefs only for the final five games.
Looking ahead to 2015: The first decision for the Chiefs is what to do with Bowe. He'll be 31 in September and judging by his last three seasons, when he averaged 58 receptions, 717 yards and three touchdowns, he's no longer a No. 1 receiver. He may need to agree to lower his salary-cap number from $14 million to remain with the Chiefs. The Chiefs may need to spend on a veteran in free agency if they cut Bowe. Otherwise, Wilson and Thomas, whose real value may be as a kick returner, may be the only players worth keeping. Avant will be 32 in April, Avery 31 in June. Hemingway, Jenkins and Hammond did little with their playing time last season. But Hemingway is a solid blocker from the slot, so he might be worth retaining on a minimum contract. Jenkins and Hammond are still young but their lack of production in 2014 was discouraging.