Wide receiver has been one of the most frustrating positions for the Chiefs to figure out throughout their 10-year run of AFC playoff appearances. Despite heavily investing draft capital into the position, including a first-round pick and three second-round picks, the Chiefs have struggled to draft and develop wide receiver talent. In fact, since Dwayne Bowe's 2010 Pro Bowl season, Tyreek Hill is the only Chiefs receiver to make the Pro Bowl in the last 16 years.
It is a clear priority for Kansas City to get Patrick Mahomes a go-to wide receiver, he has not had since Tyreek Hill's departure in 2022. With Travis Kelce on the verge of retirement, it is imperative that the Chiefs find an offensive weapon Mahomes can rely on when the offense slows down. This year's wide receiver class is loaded, and the Chiefs will have a golden opportunity to add a pass catcher through the draft.
The first-round target: Jordan Tyson
The 2026 NFL Draft features three receivers the Chiefs will have to consider in the top 10, with Makai Lemon, Jordan Tyson, and Carnell Tate all proving to be first-round-worthy receivers. Of the three, Tyson is the best fit for the Chiefs, who are looking for a do-it-all player with the potential to be the focal point of the offense. Tyson is just that: at 6'2", 200 pounds, he has the flexibility to line up inside and out and a wide route tree that allows him to win in a variety of ways.
The concern among draft scouts surrounding Tyson is his injury history, including a major knee injury that kept him out for almost all of 2022. Throughout his college career, Tyson has missed almost 50% of his team's games, and those durability concerns will follow him to the NFL. Seeing if any medical concerns show up at the combine for Tyson will be important, but when he is 100% healthy, he is easily the best receiver in this year's draft.
The RAC threat: Chris Bell
Maybe the most underrated player throughout the draft process this season has been Chris Bell, who feels like he could be a perfect fit in an Andy Reid-led offense. Bell is the best run-after-catch (RAC) receiver in this year's class, and at 6'2", 220 pounds, he combines running back-like strength with wide receiver athleticism. Andy Reid is one of the best coaches in football at getting skill players the ball in space, and Bell would be exactly the type of player who would thrive in his offense.
Throughout the draft process, Bell has been compared to players like Anquan Bolden or Deebo Samuel because of his size and incredible movement skills. One of the biggest concerns for Bell is the ACL tear he suffered in late November, which will likely impact his availability for training camp and possibly the start of the season. But despite this, I have maintained that, when healthy, Bell is a first-round talent, and if the Chiefs were able to land him on day two, he could be a game-changer.
The risk-reward option: Eric McAlister
McAlister will be one of the hardest prospects for fans to get a read on this offseason, as he brings all the skills to be a great NFL receiver, but the question marks come off the field. At 6'2", 200 pounds, McAlister has the frame of a great NFL receiver and all the athleticism to go with it. He was a 1,000-yard receiver with TCU this year, including a 254-yard game against SMU, and has put up more than 750 yards in each of the last three seasons. He is a threat at every part of the field and has even logged 10 touchdowns this season, proving to be a reliable red-zone pass catcher as well.
But off the field is where concerns about McAlister start, most of which stem from a 2024 felony gun charge that was pled down to a misdemeanor. He also violated his bond and was arrested after testing positive for THC. McAlister also had a strained relationship with his former coaching staff at Boise State, and some scouts have concerns about his character. But these are only reports, and much of how scouts feel about McAlister will come out in the interview room. If the Chiefs feel he has put much of that behind him, he could immediately become a major part of the offense.
The day-three diamond: Reggie Virgil
The 2026 draft class is filled with inside-out receivers who are flying under the radar, maybe none more so than Texas Tech's Reggie Virgil. After high school, Virgil was a somewhat unknown prospect, and when he committed to Miami (OH), expectations were not very high. But after two years of adjusting to college, Virgil broke out. As a junior, he went for nine touchdowns and 800 yards, proving himself as one of the most talented receivers in the nation before hitting the portal.
Virgil became a major part of Texas Tech's massive portal haul and helped the Red Raiders achieve their first 10-plus-win season since 2008. After his transition to Texas Tech, Virgil focused on rounding out his game rather than isolating himself as a deep threat. He proved to be one of the best weapons in the Big 12 and was arguably the most valuable player on the transformed Texas Tech offense. While volume stats may not catch the eye of the average fan, Virgil is the type of player who could have a better pro career than college career. If he makes it to day three, he is a diamond in the rough.
The reliable veteran: CJ Daniels
If the Chiefs look to add a big-time wide receiver in free agency or via trade this offseason, day three is where they will likely look to add depth. Look no further than Miami's CJ Daniels, a sixth-year senior who put up 1,000 yards and 10 touchdowns for Liberty in 2023. Daniels played with Malik Willis in 2021, when he really broke onto the scene, but missed most of 2022 with an ACL tear. Daniels then played at LSU and finished his career with Miami as the runner-up in the National Championship.
This year, Daniels logged seven touchdown grabs and proved he has what it takes to keep up with some of the best competition in the nation. If the Chiefs are looking to add depth on day three, Daniels may be their best bet.
The late-round depth: Jalil Farooq
Farooq is one of the most overlooked players in the class, often because people simply are not looking for him. At Oklahoma, Farooq earned a role early in his career and seemed poised for a breakout season after logging over 1,000 yards and seven touchdowns combined over his sophomore and junior seasons. But in his senior year, Farooq suffered a broken foot that required surgery and forced him to redshirt in 2024, giving him an extra year of eligibility. For his final year of eligibility, Farooq returned home to the University of Maryland, where he was the best receiver on a rebuilding roster and struggled to find major production.
But the film shows the value of Farooq's game, and he's clearly the type of player every team wants on its roster. He is a reliable pass catcher who has proven he can line up inside and out while remaining effective with his wide route tree and athletic ability. Farooq will be 24 on draft day and will turn 25 in September, which may scare away some scouts. But similar to Daniels, if Farooq is there on day three, he could provide immediate value as a versatile depth receiver on the Chiefs' roster.