When the Kansas City Chiefs signed veteran receiver Jeremy Maclin before the 2015 season, they were hoping for an impact player who could help the offense by making plays on the outside. 

After breaking the franchise's record for receptions by a receiver in a season (87) and going over 1,000 yards for the second time in his seven-year NFL career last year, it's fair to say Maclin made the impact in his first season that the Chiefs were hoping for.

Chiefs coach Andy Reid knew of the leader they were getting because they had spent four years together with the Philadelphia Eagles.

Maclin was Reid's first-round pick out of the University of Missouri back in 2009.

During their four years together in Philadelphia between 2009-12, Maclin averaged 64.5 receptions, 863 yards and 6.5 touchdowns per season.

He surpassed all of these numbers in his first year with the Chiefs, finishing with 87 receptions, 1,088 yards and 8 touchdowns.

Beyond the field, Maclin has provided veteran leadership to a young group of receivers.

"You want that responsibility," Maclin said this offseason of being a leader. "I'm doing what I have to do to help these guys and to help everybody know what goes on in the National Football League.

"As far as the rookies go, just lead by example. Half of the battle is leading by example, the other half is knowing each person's individual personality, taking them aside, talking to them not just about football, but life in general."

Maclin spent the offseason training in Kansas City, but he made sure he wasn’t alone.

TOP MOMENT OF LAST SEASON

Statistically speaking, the best game of Maclin's season came against the Buffalo Bills in Week 12.

He finished the game with 9 receptions for 160 yards and a touchdown, helping the Chiefs pull off a 30-22 win, which got them back to .500 with their fourth straight victory.

Just a week later on the road against the Oakland Raiders, Maclin caught two fourth-quarter touchdowns within a span of 4 minutes to help the Chiefs pick up a 34-20 win. He finished the game with 9 catches for 95 yards and 2 touchdowns.

Maclin was named to the “NFL Top 100 List” of 2015, coming in at No. 93.

HOW HE FITS

Maclin will continue to pace the Chiefs offense as the No. 1 threat on the outside, but the development of young players like Albert Wilson and Chris Conley should only further strengthen the receivers group in 2016.

2016 OUTLOOK

While the numbers for Maclin were impressive last season, he'll be the first to tell you that he doesn't care what his contribution to the box score looks like after the game as long as they pick up a win.

"I think we have basically gotten to the point where we know who we are, and we know what we're capable of," Maclin said of the 2016 season. "The things that we're doing now on the offensive side of the ball is what we're good at. Sometimes people try to do things that they want to do, but necessarily they're not good at doing.

"As long as you stick to your strengths and put guys in position to be successful, I think we're going to be in pretty good shape. Like I've always said, Alex [Smith] is a guy who can do everything, you have (Travis) Kelce, you have myself, you have a busload of running backs that can all run the football. I'm excited for sure."