Chiefs add Missouri wideout to receiver corps

The Chiefs knew they had to upgrade their wide receivers in this year’s NFL draft, and didn’t disappoint on the second day. In the fourth round they took Missouri Tigers standout Will Franklin, and hope he can compete for what is now open competition opposite Dwayne Bowe.

Franklin’s addition means the Chiefs have several unproven candidates for new wide receivers coach Eric Price to prepare. In late March the Chiefs added former Baltimore Ravens receiver Devard Darling in free agency.

As they did in the third round by picking Texas running back Jamaal Charles, choosing Franklin brings more speed to KC’s offense. Franklin ran a 4.37 40-yard dash at the NFL combine this offseason.

Franklin played in the slot quite a bit at Missouri, but some believe he can handle duties on the outside. Either way, he has both the speed and the physical tools at 6-foot-2 and 215 pounds.

He’s also no stranger to playing at Arrowhead. Franklin played on the Tigers’ squad that battled Kansas last November for a chance at the Big 12 Championship game.

“They have some of the best fans around,” Franklin said of Arrowhead. “Knowing a couple of guys that have played up there and having a lot of teammates from Kansas City and knowing how crazy they are about the Chiefs, I can’t wait to be a part of it.”

The biggest fans though may have been the Chiefs scouts, who had Franklin rated high on their draft board.

“You get the calls throughout the process and you wait,” said Frankling. “They say things, but the Chiefs always showed how much interest they had in me. They gave me the call and let me know that they were about to put in the card.”

The Chiefs now have to find out what they have in Darling and 2006 sixth-round pick Jeff Webb, who will get one more chance to show he can be the second receiver. But the addition of Franklin should put everyone on notice.

“I can come in and play at that level and at a high level,” he said. “My goal is to come in and establish myself as the next receiver.”