Super Bowl 2024 player props: Bet on big game for Chiefs receiver
There’s certainly no doubt that Marquez Valdes-Scantling isn’t the $30 million man that the Chiefs signed him to be.
What the veteran deep-ball receiver has provided is a spare downfield look or two for Patrick Mahomes in the required scenarios.
Valdes-Scantling logged longest catches of 32 yards in each of the last two playoff games.
One of those receptions was part of a go-ahead touchdown drive against the Bills; the other was to seal the victory against the Ravens.
He only saw 2.6 targets throughout the regular season, but ranked No. 2 among all receivers in average target distance.
The 49ers sported the NFL’s third-lowest blitz percentage, which should buy Mahomes plenty of time to locate his receivers.
San Francisco presents a staunch front seven that has been unforgiving against the run, so I expect Mahomes to get aggressive from the get-go in testing the secondary.
If he does, you can bet Valdes-Scantling will be running his vertical routes downfield to convert on early-down chunk plays the Chiefs will need.
Plus, San Francisco yielded the third-most passing completions and attempts against.
The 49ers play at an average rate in both man and zone coverage, so no matter what kinds of attention Travis Kelce is bound to garner, I like Valdes-Scantling’s streaky potential here.
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He finished eighth in receptions among Chiefs pass-catchers, yet fourth in average yardage (19.7).
You’d think all there is to this Chiefs’ scheme is the molecular bond between Mahomes and Kelce, but that is a fool’s assumption.
Mahomes is always good for a surprise trick or two, and that includes utilizing his supporting cast to keep the ball on field.
The play: Marquez Valdes-Scantling Over 1.5 receptions (-120, BetMGM).
