With uncertainty at the wide receiver position, the Chiefs like what they have in rookie Jalen Royals.
On the surface, the Chiefs appear to have enough weapons for Patrick Mahomes. A more forensic look will identify just how tenuous their skill position players are heading into the 2025 season.
Hall of Fame tight end Travis Kelce is another year older and rising star Rashee Rice is coming off injury and potentially starting the season with a suspension. While Xavier Worthy came on late last season, it is easy to see how an injury or two could derail the Chiefs offense in 2025. This doesn’t even include the backfield which only added 7th round rookie Brashard Smith.
The Chiefs sneakily added wide receiver Jalen Royals from Utah State in the 4th round of the NFL Draft. Royals has a versatile skill set that has the Chiefs envisioning a duplicate role to Rashee Rice, particularly in the ability to generate yards after the catch. Should Rice get suspended, the Chiefs believe Royals can make an immediate impact.
Jalen Royals is 6’0’’ and 205 pounds and can run a 4.42 40-yard dash. In the FastDraft Origins Gamma tournament, Royals ADP is currently a 3rd round pick at 28 overall. Over on Underdog, Royals can be had at pick 200 in round 17. It is a great time to click on Jalen Royals in both formats before any bearish news presents itself for Rashee Rice or other Chiefs skill position players.
Author: Jeremiah Retzlaff (@coachretzlaff1)
Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Jalen Royals appears to ...
Fourth-round rookie wide receiver Jalen Royals officially ...
The Kansas City Chiefs have selected Jalen Royals with the ...
The Chiefs select Jalen Royals in the 4th round.
The Kansas City Chiefs add to their wide receiver core as they select Jalen Royals from Utah State. The shift wide receiver will offer versatility that is needed in the Chiefs offense.
The Chiefs have been trying to replace the loss of Tyreek Hill for a few years now and have had differing results. Rashee Rice looked to be the next WR1 in Kansas City, but he was hurt for the season in week 4 and has a looming suspension into 2025. Xavier Worthy showed some flashes late in the season, but any injury or suspension would show to the lack of depth the Chiefs have.
With an aging Travis Kelce, adding Jalen Royals will help give Patrick Mahomes another much needed weapon. Royals looks to be a better best ball pick versus redraft as it will be difficult to know when to start Royals.
Author: Jeremiah Retzlaff (@coachretzlaff1)
Jalen Royals impresses with his 40 time.
Jalen Royals, the Utah State product measured in at 6’0″ and 205 pounds. Even though Royals is not a 100% his 40-yard dash was impressive running 4.42. He is still dealing with foot injury that ended his last college season. He finished the season with 55 catches for 834 yards and 6 touchdowns through just 7 games. He would have been on pace to have over 90 catches for 1,400 yards. He also participated in the Senior Bowl last month and no one would play press coverage since he would just plow over everyone or use his quick feet to release at the line.
Jalen Royals is going to be a special player in the NFL. He could sneak into the end of the first round of the NFL Draft but he has secured to be drafted on Day 2 at the latest. He is a must in rookie dynasty leagues going forward.
Author: Jake Lewis (@Lewylewis5)
Jalen Royals has the potential to be a top 5 wide receiver in the 2025 NFL Draft and will look to raise his stock at the Senior Bowl.
Royals’ Senior year was cut short in late October due to a foot injury. Royals was able to post a blistering stat line of 55-834-6 in the 7 games he did play, demonstrating his ability to be a dominant player when healthy.
Royals will look to prove he is fully recovered from his foot injury at the Senior Bowl to put any concerns teams have around his durability to rest. If he’s able to do that and run a sub 4.4 40-yard dash, it’s entirely possible Royals becomes a name to watch as a first round draft pick.
Royals has explosive athleticism, solid hands, and a great ability to navigate defenders after the catch. These traits, along with the simplified route tree he ran in college that mainly consisted of go routes, slants, and screens, make him comparable to how Rashee Rice has found success in the NFL as a best case scenario.
Author: Jonny Tooma (@FantasyPicasso)
