(David Butler II-Imagn Images)

Chiefs Rookie Jalen Royals Already Predicted For Major Role

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Adam Schultz | Last updated May 10, 2025 10:48 AM ET

The Kansas City Chiefs' offseason in 2025 will have a vast array of playmakers if everyone stays healthy, something that it couldn't manage last season.

Then we add speed merchant Jalen Royals, the franchise's fourth-round draft pick, to the equation.

A slightly built receiver, Royals boasts 4.42 speed and that is something that the Chiefs need on offense with Xavier Worthy seen as the only speed burner in the receiver room.

Now with Royals, who was rather prolific at Utah State, the Chiefs and Andy Reid have yet another thread to pull when dialing up the offensive plays.

And for ESPN's Jeremy Fowler, Royals could be set to be a specialist of sorts for Kansas City.

"The Chiefs could have instant scoring in fourth-round receiver Jalen Royals, who averaged more than one touchdown per game in his last two years at Utah State (21 touchdowns in 20 games)," Fowler wrote. "Though his size (6-foot, 205 pounds) might profile as a slot receiver, the Aggies played him outside to show his versatility. The Chiefs see him in both roles, and he should come in handy for Andy Reid as a yards-after-catch specialist."

Granted, for Royals to make the final roster, he will have to do some heavy lifting with Juju Smith-Schuster, Marquise Brown, Rashee Rice, Worthy, and Skyy Moore among those he's competing with.

Likely to be a top-of-the-rotation player for Reid, Royals will no doubt be put through his paces this offseason as the Chiefs figure out how to best utilize his skill set.

With the Chiefs coming off a poor Super Bowl loss, the franchise has many skeptics and with Royals, they might have their trump card on offense with the rookie pegged to have multiple roles to fill.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: