Justyn Ross could be the answer to the Chiefs red zone issues

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Playing college football in a program like Clemson, Justyn Ross should know all about pressure.

During his years in college football, he played with some massive offensive weapons like Ja’Marr Chase, Travis Etienne and Trevor Lawrence to name a few so he should also know how to play a role, without worrying about being a featured guy.

He’s also got a national championship, so he’s experienced what it’s like to play in high-stakes affairs.

The 23-year-old is playing with the best quarterback in the league but, to this point of the season, Ross seems to be underutilized.

Cameo Appearances

He has only been targeted three times through the first six weeks of the season, posting three catches for 34 yards, which equates to an average of 11.3 yards per grab.

In their victory over the Denver Broncos on Thursday Night Football, Ross was practically invisible; in fact, he wasn’t targeted a single time, while only featuring on 10 offensive snaps.

Even on a roster that has struggled with production at the wide receiver position, Ross is unlikely to have his number called more than veterans like Skyy Moore, Marquez Valdes-Scantling or even rookie Rashee Rice.

That being said, given how much Mahomes likes to spread the ball around each game, it wouldn’t hurt to give Ross a few more looks now and again.

The Alabama native grew up in a football culture and has an ideal frame at 6’4” and 205 pounds, with the ability to pick up a lot of yards after the catch.

He’s also got an excellent feel for the game with a high footballing IQ and is a tough customer to bring down in the open field.

Ross might not have the breakaway speed of the injured Justin Watson or other great Chiefs playmakers from years past, but averaging 11.3 yards per catch in limited action is still something to consider.

Where Ross could help the Chiefs, though, would be in the red zone, an area that KC has not been great at this season, particularly in the latter stages of a game.

Ross had 17 touchdowns in his first two seasons at Clemson, and he’s a big target with sure hands who was great in college at making catches into traffic, all of which screams that he should be in the huddles when this team is on the verge of scoring.

Travis Kelce will be the first look for Mahomes, and for obvious reasons, but outside of the Chiefs #87, I don’t believe anybody else on that roster is all that dependable in the red zone.

Given the lack of attention he’s gotten to this point of the campaign, it’s doubtful many defensive units would anticipate Ross having his number called.

To this stage of the season, the Chiefs have only had 11 receiving touchdowns and are clicking at 57.1% regarding red zone efficiency, scoring a touchdown on four of their seven attempts.

Ross could be an added threat in that department and upgrade their red zone efficiency that much more.