For the second training camp in a row, Kansas City Chiefs Wide Receiver Justyn Ross keeps making plays and shows he deserves a roster spot. Last season, his regular-season opportunity was shut down with an off-the-field issue. Fast-forward to August, and with all that behind him, Ross looks like he has a chance to get playing time this season.
For the record, I’m a big fan of Justyn Ross. He is a terrific receiver who has battled expectations, injuries, and off-the-field roadblocks that probably would have made some NFL players retire. In other words, the juice wasn’t worth the squeeze.
However, that’s not the case with Ross. He is entering his third training camp with the Chiefs, and he has two Super Bowl rings to show for the previous two seasons. Unfortunately, his play on the field, though solid when he gets his reps, has been unfulfilled.
At Clemson, he was one of the best wide receivers in college football. Injuries led to him signing with the Chiefs after the 2022 NFL draft. Now, he’s at the final end of the three-year deal that has some believing it’s now or never for Ross to take his rightful place on the field.
Ross has some limitations, but Kansas City doesn’t have a tall wide receiver, other than Tight End Travis Kelce, who can rise above the defender and snatch the ball out of thin air. In the red zone, he could be very handy and productive.
Thus far in training camp, Ross has been sensational. His route running is clean, he catches the ball when thrown to him, and it’s clear he’s going to get a chance to show off his talents in the final two preseason games.
With the injury to Hollywood Brown, who could be out up to six weeks, Ross’s playmaking abilities can force his roster spot inclusion. Further, with Skyy Moore struggling and the health of Kadarius Toney always in question, the Clemson star has a chance to do more than make the roster.
Further, with the emergence of Nikko Remigio, Ross finds himself in a battle.
We know Rashee Rice, Xavier Worthy, Hollywood Brown, and Justin Watson are locks to make the roster. So that leaves two or three spots, depending on what Andy Reid decides to do with his roster balance. If the Chiefs keep four tight ends, the receiver room will likely be a cast of six.
If we assume Remigio has the fifth spot locked up, Ross, Moore, Mecole Hardman, and Toney are in a tight battle for the back end of the receiver room. However, the Brown injury means if Ross can make plays like he did in Jacksonville, his skills can extend drives, and he is a big target for Mahomes.
The team also has the option of adding a veteran receiver like JuJu Smith-Schuster or Hunter Renfrow, but for now, I think Reid will go with his guys unless the NFL decides to suspend Rice this season versus in 2025.
Despite all the roster variables and injuries, all Ross needs to do is keep making plays. If he can do that, he has a chance to launch his NFL career in a positive and productive trajectory in Kansas City.
