He can possibly be a starter week one.
While tight end Travis Kelce did not practice Monday for the Kansas City Chiefs, more eyes locked onto rookie Gehrig Dieter. He caught some attention after week one of training camp, and has started this week capturing more buzz. According to Chiefs’ reporter BJ Kissel, Dieter gave his best performance – catching everything thrown his way from Patrick Mahomes II. He caught two passes in the slot, including one for a touchdown. Dieter lined up in the slot quite a bit at Alabama last season, snatching 15 passes for 214 receiving yards and four touchdowns.
One young WR who had a great day Monday?
UDFA WR @GehrigDieter, who spoke about connection w/ @PatrickMahomes5.
"We click pretty well." pic.twitter.com/TBo12J2guX
— Chiefs Reporter (@ChiefsReporter) August 7, 2017
Per Kissel, the 6’3″ target said he’s feeling more comfortable.
“Last year at Bama was the first year I played in the slot, so that was kind of a new system for me and this system is completely different,” Dieter said. “So, just getting used to that and building a relationship with Pat [Mahomes], I think that’s one of the bigger things because whenever me and him are in we click pretty well.”
Excluding Travis Kelce and Tyreek Hill from the conversation, Kansas City’s wide receiving unit is unproven. Chris Conley accounted for 530 receiving yards in 2016, but has battled a few medical issues thus far in his career.
As for Demarcus Robinson, Sentavius Jones, Tevin Jones, Tony Stevens and De’Anthony Thomas, Thomas is the lone player to recorded at least 10 receptions in a season. Jehu Chesson, a rookie from University of Michigan, has good potential but Dieter has generated a captive audience. His connection with Mahomes, the Chiefs’ quarterback of the future, bodes well for him in the fall. Head coach Andy Reid tends to love blue collar players, and he has one in Dieter.
Stephen M. Smith is a managing editor and senior writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @Smsmith_TDALMag.
