Feb 9, 2025; New Orleans, LA, USA; Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) against the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LIX at Ceasars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Kansas City Chiefs Rookie Could Make Major Impact on Patrick Mahomes

Originally posted on Gridiron Heroics | By Matt Lombardo | Last updated May 13, 2025 2:16 PM ET

Last spring, the Kansas City Chiefs invested a first round pick in speedster wide receiver Xavier Worthy in hopes he would significantly upgrade a position group that Patrick Mahomes essentially dragged to two consecutive Super Bowl championships.

However, while Mahomes and the Chiefs made a return trip to the Super Bowl, only to be run out of the building by the Philadelphia Eagles, Worthy’s impact was wildly inconsistent as a rookie. Last season, Worthy caught 59 passes for 638 yards and six touchdowns as the former University of Texas standout and Mahomes worked to get onto the same page.

General manager Brett Veach and Kansas City are hoping to get more out of another receiver, chosen in this spring’s draft.

Jalen Royals an ‘Ideal Fit’ for Kansas City Chiefs

For the second season in a row, Veach and the Chiefs emerged from the draft with a potential impact receiver. This time around, it’s fourth-round pick Jalen Royals.

ESPN’s Matt Bowen put together a list of the incoming rookies who landed in the perfect destination, including Royals with Mahomes and the Chiefs.

“With the coverage awareness to find open zone voids,” Bowen writes for ESPN. “And a competitive play style after the catch, Royals can operate in Andy Reid’s system as a midlevel target for quarterback Patrick Mahomes. Royals is willing to work the heavy traffic areas of the field, where he can make contested catches. And he turns underneath throws into explosive plays.

“As a deep-ball target, Royals has the speed to be schemed situationally. But I really like the fit here based on the Chiefs’ leveled concepts, run-pass options and three-step throws. These types of plays will allow him to find open grass and gain even more yards after the catch.”

During two-plus seasons at Utah State, Royals caught 126 passes for 1,914 yards and 21 touchdowns, while averaging 15.2 yards per reception, showcasing his ability to be a weapon in the vertical passing game.

In an offense looking to push the field vertically with Worthy, and create seams underneath for Travis Kelce to operate, Royals could be the versatile playmaker who can elevate the Chiefs’ offense in 2025.

This article first appeared on Gridiron Heroics and was syndicated with permission.

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