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Five reasons DeSean Jackson is a great fit with the Kansas City Chiefs

The Kansas City Chiefs are one of the teams linked to free agent WR DeSean Jackson, who was released by the Philadelphia Eagles on Friday. The New York Jets and Oakland Raiders are said to be the other teams (in addition to other teams who are unnamed at the moment). Here are five reasons the Chiefs make the most sense for Jackson.

Rich Schultz

Pretty much any team could use a player like DeSean Jackson. Who doesn't want a really fast playmaker? Everyone is looking for a player like that.

The Chiefs in particular are a great fit for Jackson. We all know the Andy Reid connection so there's no need to mention that. Why else is Jackson a great fit in Kansas City?

1. A great football fit

Forget the connections to Andy Reid. Forget the money. This is a flat-out fit for football reasons. He fills a need. He makes the Chiefs more talented. Jackson makes the Chiefs instantly better. Like the second he signs ... the Chiefs are a better football team.

2. Jackson makes other offensive weapons better

Wouldn't Dwayne Bowe benefit from Jackson taking coverage away? Bowe is more of a possession receiver while Jackson stretches the field. They make sense together.

Jackson's vertical threat would also help Jamaal Charles, who is a star catching the ball around the line of scrimmage. Even if Jackson forces just one more defender to sit deep, it's worth it. Jamaal is that good.

3. Get that YAC

Maybe I'm the only one who looks at it like this. Most people wonder if Alex Smith would be able to stretch the field with his arm (go watch his pass to Donnie Avery in the Colts game). But my mind immediately goes to those shorter passes that would allow Jackson to catch-and-run. Yards after catch are important in Reid's offense. Jackson is good at that. Smith is e-l-i-t-e throwing the ball near the line of scrimmage. This makes sense to me.

4. Chiefs could gain more freedom in the draft

They could genuinely be focused on the best player available. Outside of safety and perhaps guard, I don't see any glaring needs on the Chiefs after receiver. Taking care of that hole now would allow the Chiefs more freedom to truly pick the best player available in the draft. This is what the Chiefs want to do.

5. DeSean + NFL's best special teams coach = magic

Oh my, oh my ... I am salivating thinking about this Jackson working with Chiefs special teams coach Dave Toub, even if it's not an everyday thing. I wanted the Chiefs to bring Dexter McCluster back due in large part to his special teams ability. Jackson's punt return ability is terrific. He just hasn't been asked to return many punts since his early years in the league, but he can do it.

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