The Kansas City Chiefs and many other teams will be in Indianapolis this week for the 2026 NFL Combine. Squads are hoping to find out more about particular position groups and which players fit their organization. For the Chiefs, it is beginning to feel like they will draft a wide receiver with one of their earlier picks. In fact, it could take place at nine overall in the first round.
The Chiefs must be able to identify wide receivers who can be trusted for the long haul. At the Combine, they can begin to separate the flashes in the pan from the can’t-miss players. Kansas City has seen so much turnover at the wide receiver spot over the last few seasons. Patrick Mahomes longs for a go-to wide receiver. Are there one or two of those in this year’s draft class?
Overall, the Chiefs could benefit immensely from double-dipping at wide receiver in the 2026 NFL Draft. Here are a few reasons why it could aid Kansas City moving forward.
Chiefs lack long-term answers at wide receiver
When looking at draft prospects or draft classes, saying you found someone for the next 10-plus years is a misconception. The average NFL player does not stick with one team for that long. Ideally, teams hope they can build and grow drafted pieces into foundational parts who are easily given a second contract.
No wide receiver on the Chiefs currently looks destined to earn that second contract. Only Xavier Worthy, Rashee Rice, and Jalen Royals are guaranteed back in 2026. Saying they will remain in K.C. for the long haul is far-fetched.
Worthy has faced durability issues at times in the NFL. Plus, his production has come from limited routes and designs. It feels as though Rice is staying in Kansas City on borrowed time. New off-field allegations place doubt on any possible trust the Chiefs can afford him. As for Royals, there is still potential to tap into in 2026. However, the Chiefs did not grant him many opportunities in his rookie season.
Patrick Mahomes needs better weapons in 2026
As Patrick Mahomes continues to play into his 30s, the Chiefs have to give him better resources. He is an all-world talent, but he already pulled Kansas City to a couple of Super Bowl titles with average pass catchers. He can only shoulder the load single-handedly for so long.
Not to mention, some of the greatest quarterbacks have changed teams at the end of their careers. It would take a lot for Mahomes to get to that point. But if Tom Brady, Aaron Rodgers, Joe Montana, and others moved on for various reasons, Kansas City does not want to force Mahomes’ hand.
Getting the offense to a new, comfortable phase is the next order of business at this stage of your passer’s career. Mahomes is coming off an injury, too. The Chiefs should not pass on replenishing the wide receiver room with plenty of younger talent as they enter this next era.
Chiefs could benefit from deep 2026 WR class
You have seen plenty of mock drafts where Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love lands with the Chiefs. A defensive lineman is very tempting at nine overall as well. Depending on how the board falls, wide receiver may grow to be the most optimal selection. That becomes more likely if Love and a couple of pass rushers are already gone.
At nine overall, Makai Lemon of USC may fit Andy Reid’s offense best among the consensus top three wide receivers. Ohio State’s Carnell Tate would add a needed new flavor to the wide receiver room. As for Jordyn Tyson of Arizona State, he may have the highest ceiling in the wide receiver class. However, managing injuries is the battle with Tyson.
Plus, the wide receiver class looks especially deep in 2026. Wide receivers on many teams have stepped in and broke out alarmingly quick in recent drafts. But for this year specifically, plenty of draft analysts are fond of what 2026 draftees have to offer at wide receiver.
When you mix in the talent of this group and the lack of wide receiver depth for Kansas City, the Chiefs have a chance to find their next offensive gear. Doubling up at wide receiver becomes even more enticing if they firmly believe in the options in this class. The team can only trust the veterans they have run it back with for so long. K.C. must act quickly and strike often to reshape the wide receiver group if the board falls their way.