Since drafting Patrick Mahomes in 2017, it feels like the Chiefs organization has been on a continuous hunt to find a reliable pass catcher to diversify the offense.
Since 2010, only one Chiefs receiver has made the Pro Bowl (Mecole Hardman made it as a return man), with that being Tyreek Hill. Outside of Hill, the struggles for Kansas City to draft and develop wide receiver talent have been real, and this offseason, they cannot afford to come up short again.
Brett Veach's frustrating history at WR
Since 2019, the Chiefs have invested four top-60 picks at receiver, including one (Xavier Worthy) first-round pick and three (Hardman, Rice, and Moore) second-round picks. On day three, they have also invested a fourth-round pick (Jalen Royals) and a fifth-round pick (Cornell Powell), but combined, those two players have tallied four yards receiving in the NFL. Now, to be fair, Royals was a rookie last season, but Powell never cracked the starting lineup, and with the Chiefs' history at receiver, it is hard for fans to have hope that history will not repeat itself.
Beyond just draft day, the Chiefs have also invested draft picks into receivers via trade. Kansas City has traded for multiple players, the most expensive of which was Kadarius Toney, whom the Chiefs acquired for a third- and sixth-round pick. They dealt a fifth-round pick to the Titans for DeAndre Hopkins and also did a 6/7 pick swap with the Jets to acquire Mecole Hardman again.
Furthermore, Kansas City has struggled to land high-quality receiver talent through free agency. Their best free-agent find was Sammy Watkins, who signed for three years and $48 million in 2020. Other players the Chiefs have added on the open market include JuJu Smith-Schuster, Marquez Valdes-Scantling (MVS), Hollywood Brown, Richie James, and Justin Watson. MVS is probably the best, but as a whole, the group of free agents that the Chiefs have added at receiver is very underwhelming.
The Chiefs' best WR options this offseason
The Chiefs will have a wide range of options to improve their wide receiver room this offseason, both through free agency and the draft. The 2026 NFL Draft is loaded at receiver, especially in the top 100, and this year's free agency class has plenty of players who can immediately step into a big role in Kansas City. The Chiefs also have several players hitting free agency this offseason, including Hollywood Brown, JuJu Smith-Schuster, and Tyquan Thornton, whose contracts are expiring.
In free agency, the Chiefs' best bet will be avoiding the biggest names to ensure they do not overpay in a group that is somewhat weak at the top. The value at receiver in this year's free agency class comes in the form of depth, with several potential WR2 options who could be signed for significantly less money. The Chiefs can also consider a reunion with former star Tyreek Hill, who was released by the Dolphins and had the best years of his career with Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs.
The draft is interesting, as there are plenty of players to consider for the Chiefs, and at pick 9 they may have their pick of the litter. The top three pass catchers are somewhat set in stone with Jordan Tyson, Carnell Tate, and Makai Lemon. All three come with some minor concerns, and the Chiefs could look to use the newly acquired pick 29 to land a big-time playmaker. They also could look to re-sign Tyquan Thornton if he stays on the market too long and is not getting the contract he is looking for.
What should the Chiefs' plan be at WR?
Brett Veach has a tough task this offseason, and he is at a turning point where he needs to change the franchise's reputation when it comes to pass catchers. The staff will need to change their approach to the offseason and ensure they can land playmakers that Patrick Mahomes can trust to be reliable members of the offense. With just Xavier Worthy, Rashee Rice, and Jalen Royals returning, the Chiefs have at least three holes to fill at receiver, and maybe more when you consider the inconsistencies even those players had last season.
In free agency, the value will come from players who have proven they can bring value in the NFL. Players like Romeo Doubs and Deebo Samuel are experienced pass catchers who have proven to be reliable members of an NFL offense. With the Chiefs' struggles to develop receiver talent, signing a veteran pass catcher who already has shown they have the talent to impact the game is essential in free agency.
Through the draft, the question becomes who Andy Reid likes. If he and the scouting team for the Chiefs fall in love with one of the top three receivers, the ninth pick could be a no-brainer. But if they are not sold, or have concerns about each player's respective issues, pick 29 or 40 could be where the Chiefs land a big-time playmaker. Someone like Omar Cooper Jr., Chris Bell, or KC Concepcion would all make immediate impacts on the Chiefs' offense. It would be wise for the Chiefs to double-dip and land a depth piece later in the draft with the potential versatility to play all three receiver spots.
Ideally, if everything lines up the way analysts expect it to (the offseason never does), the Chiefs could come away with a strong receiver room with something like this.
- WR 1- Romeo Doubs
- WR 2 - Rashee Rice
- WR 3 - Xavier Worthy
- WR 4 - Chris Bell
- WR 5 - Jalen Royals
- WR 6 - Andrew Armstrong/Jeff Caldwell
If Kansas City entered the 2026 season with this type of talent in the receiver room, I think a lot of people would be happy. Patrick Mahomes would finally have a reliable outside threat who he can trust to get open early and make consistent catches in space. Xavier Worthy would be able to maximize his value as a deep threat/gadget player with the ball in his hands. Chris Bell is one of the best RAC receivers in the draft and (when healthy) would be a nightmare for opposing defenses in Andy Reid's offense.
Regardless of what the Chiefs do, it is essential that Kansas City rebuild its wide receiver room this offseason, and they need to do it fast. Travis Kelce does not have much more time in the NFL, and the Chiefs will not be able to run their offense through him forever—something that was made very clear this season. K.C. has plenty of options to get Patrick Mahomes some weapons this offseason, and they cannot afford to miss again.