Chiefs Rookie Looking To Earn Mahomes' Trust

The Kansas City Chiefs have been searching for a game-changing receiver since trading dynamo Tyreek Hill to the Miami Dolphins after the 2021 season.

There have certainly been flashes. Receiver Rashee Rice gave Kansas City another option over the middle of the field before a gruesome knee injury. First-round speedster Xavier Worthy possesses the same speed that made Hill elite. Yet, the Chiefs' offense didn’t reach that same potency in 2024, and doesn’t project to in 2025.

Kansas City tried to rectify this in Round 4, with Utah State receiver Jalen Royals. It would be ambitious to ask Royals to fill those aforementioned shoes or to expect him to perform like a high-level starter.

Still, the Chiefs' rookie could become a key target for quarterback Patrick Mahomes.

Part of that optimism stems from his elite athleticism. Running a 4.42 40-yard dash at 6-foot, 205 pounds is nothing to scoff at, and the rookie suggested he was hurt during his testing.

“I was recovering during that time,” he said, via Arrowhead Pride. “So to even go out there and compete with the top guys while still injured? It just shows a lot of effort and grit for me.”

Kansas City didn’t draft Royals just to be fast. Worthy is the team’s foremost deep threat, even if he does his best work close to the line of scrimmage. But he’s athletic enough to threaten every level of the field and is a fairly natural separator.

“It’s a lot more movement aspects and stuff like that,” he said. “You’re not just running in a straight line. You’re actually running routes or learning plays. The mental aspect comes with that, too.”

As far as getting on Mahomes' radar, he’ll first have to master head coach Andy Reid’s offense. That comes with its own set of challenges. There’s a reason so few rookie receivers have made an impact in this Chiefs offense.

Thus far in offseason workouts he seems to be acclimating quickly, too, catching 10 passes on Sunday, per Matt McMullen.

“It was very complex,” he said. “You’re dealing with Andy Reid, so it's a very complex offense.”

Subsequently, it’s far more likely Royals plays a complementary role as an ancillary piece in the passing offense than truly blossoming into a star. The base rate of being a fourth-round pick only emphasizes that.

Royals’ versatility serves him well long-term. For now, though, it adds to his plate in a pivotal transitional offseason. The Utah State product had his fans in draft circles and has impactful upside. Unpacking that might take longer than his supporters would suggest.