Kadarius Toney DVOA, Advanced Stats, & Fantasy Rankings

Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Kadarius Toney is heading into a make-or-break year in 2024 as he enters the final year of his rookie deal. Toney missed training camp and the preseason in 2023 while recovering from surgery to fix the meniscus and cartilage in his knee. He struggled in the regular season with drops and was benched in December. Not only must Toney stay healthy, but he needs to rebuild his chemistry with quarterback Patrick Mahomes while also showing he can be a top target for backup Carson Wentz in the preseason. Even after the offseason additions of Marquise Brown and rookie Xavier Worthy, there's an argument to be made that Toney is the team's most talented pass-catcher. However, the 25-year-old needs to show consistency in camp this summer and in the preseason to secure a spot on the active roster. If not, he's a candidate to be traded.

The Kansas City Chiefs have declined their fifth-year option on wide receiver Kadarius Toney, according to Ari Meirov of The 33rd Team. By doing so, the Chiefs will opt against bringing Toney back for $14.345 million in 2025. Instead, he'll finish out his rookie contract in Kansas City this season before hitting free agency next March. Toney had a fifth-year option due to his status as a former first-round pick. He has been a massive disappointment since the Giants selected him in the 2021 NFL Draft. Toney totaled 760 receiving yards, 119 rushing yards, and four total touchdowns through his first three seasons, and he also struggled to stay healthy, playing in just 12 games for the Giants and 20 for the Chiefs. He remains an inferior receiver to Travis Kelce, Rashee Rice, and Xavier Worthy, leaving Toney on waivers in most redraft leagues.

Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Kadarius Toney is still with the team and is participating in throwing sessions with quarterback Patrick Mahomes in Texas. Even though Toney was benched for the final three regular-season games and four more in the playoffs after his mistakes hurt the team earlier in the year, both general manager Brett Veach and head coach Andy Reid sound as if Toney is in their plans for 2024. "He is probably our most talented wideout now," Veach said. Along with mistakes, injuries have made it hard for Toney to stay on the field and consistent since being acquired in a trade from the Giants in 2022. The Chiefs are staying patient with the 25-year-old former first-rounder, though, especially with Rashee Rice facing a multi-week suspension for his involvement in a six-car crash.

Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Kadarius Toney (coach's decision) is officially a healthy scratch for Sunday's Super Bowl against the San Francisco 49ers. An apparent rift has grown between Toney and the team this playoffs, with the receiver accusing the Chiefs of misconstruing his injury status. Head coach Andy Reid indicated Toney would likely be inactive for the big game, and now it's official. He finishes the year having caught 27 of 39 targets for 169 yards and one touchdown through 13 regular-season games. He also added 31 rushing yards and 58 punt return yards. Rashee Rice, Travis Kelce, and Marquez Valdes-Scantling are expected to operate as Patrick Mahomes' top options in the passing game versus the Niners.

Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Kadarius Toney is not expected to play in Super Bowl LVIII against the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday, according to a league source. Toney had a big game in last year's Super Bowl win over the Philadelphia Eagles, but he struggled with injuries and inconsistent play in 2023 and hasn't played in a game since Week 15. In that Week 15 game against the New England Patriots, Toney deflected a pass to a defender for an interception for the second time this year. He made headlines earlier in the playoffs when he said he was "not hurt" after the win over the Ravens in the AFC Championship game. The 25-year-old was expected to have a bigger role in his first full year in KC, but instead he finished with just 27 receptions (38 targets) for 169 yards and one touchdown during the regular season.