Chiefs receiver blueprint could make Bryce Lance hard to ignore in 2026 draft

The Kansas City Chiefs have a type at wide receiver. They love to prioritize speed and separation. However, the context of that speed might be a little misunderstood. Most people associate speed with a fast 40-yard dash, which is obviously partly true, but the Chiefs also drafted Rashee Rice with a 4.51 40 time. Not exactly blazing speed. However, there was one element to his time and several other Chiefs draft picks that were unique.

Since Brett Veach has become the general manager, the Chiefs have not spent a Day 1 or Day 2 pick on a receiver without a 10-yard split that ranks below the 90th percentile. Jalen Royals also falls into that threshold as well. The Chiefs love receivers with quickness and acceleration, not just top-end speed. The ability to accelerate is part of what makes Rashee Rice so explosive despite not being that fast. Following that threshold, the Chiefs might be out on most of the projected first-round receivers if they follow this trend.

Bryce Lance was one of the few receivers to run at the Combine that also met that threshold. His 1.49 10-yard split ranks in the 94th percentile. The Chiefs were also notably high on another prospect from North Dakota State in Christian Watson, who has a similar profile to Lance. However, when the Packers drafted Watson at 34, the Chiefs pivoted to Skyy Moore. Christian Watson is an inch taller, four pounds heavier, and ran a 98th percentile 10-yard split. Some things aren't coincidences, folks.

To keep close tabs on the 2026 NFL Draft and the top prospects for the Kansas City Chiefs, make sure to bookmark our Arrowhead Addict Big Board. Our custom big board is tailored toward the Chiefs’ needs and thresholds.

NFL Draft Profile: Bryce Lance, WR, North Dakota State

1. Bryce Lance's background
2. Bryce Lance's strengths
3. Bryce Lance's weaknesses
4. How does Bryce Lance fit within the Chiefs' offense?

Bryce Lance's background

Height: 6-3

Weight: 204 LBS.

Hands: 9 1/4

Arms: 32 1/8

Tape Exposure: Illinois State (2025), Southeast Missouri State (2025 and South Dakota State (2025)

Lance grew up in Marshall, Minnesota, and attended Marshall Senior High School. Lance's older brother is Trey Lance, the former No. 3 overall pick of the San Francisco 49ers. Like his brother Trey, Bryce was ranked as a three-star prospect by 247 Sports, and also following his brother's footsteps, he committed to North Dakota State. Bryce redshirted his freshman year. After that, he followed it up with back-to-back seasons of over 1,000 yards and 25 touchdowns between the two years. Bryce Lance declared for the NFL Draft in December of 2025.

Bryce Lance's strengths

Vertical stretch

Elite playmaker down the field, great strides down the field, above-average long speed paired with strong ball-tracking skills. Career average depth of target of 14.1 yards would be amongst the highest of any receiver in the draft class, paired with a 61.5% contested catch rate.

Hands

Only five career drops in 170 career targets for a career 3.8% drop rate. Natural hands catcher who reaches out and snags the ball without fighting it.

Athleticsm

Posted a 9.98 relative athletic score, very sudden and shifty. Untapped potential with yards after the catch.

Bryce Lance's weaknesses

Level of competetion

Very dominant at his level, but still a lower level. How many corners he faced will even be on an NFL roster in their career always has to be mentioned with a smaller-school prospect.

Route Tree

Not asked to do a variety of routes, not overly refined, several wasted steps in his routes.

Play Strength

Doesn't always play up to his size through press coverage or at the catch point. Also an average-at-best run blocker at this point.

How does Bryce Lance fit within the Chiefs' offense?

The Chiefs have sniffed around more vertical stretchers during this draft cycle. They've hosted both Ted Hurst and Carnell Tate for 30 visits. Lance falls into a similar vein, and it's interesting when paired with the re-signing of Tyquan Thornton. Add in Kenneth Walker, the Chiefs might be really dynamic downfield when teams have to start playing more heavy boxes. The vertical element is deeply missing from the Chiefs passing game, and an improved run game and personnel could really help that.

Bryce Lance is a big-bodied vertical receiver with proven production and excellent ball tracking and strong hands. He builds speed as routes develop and shows good awareness in zone and after the catch but lacks elite short-area quickness, suddenness, and hip fluidity to consistently separate underneath or against press. Lower level of competition who will need to refine his releases, route detail, and play strength to handle NFL athletes and expand beyond a limited role.

Round Grade: Grey Chip (Day 3 grade)

Shades of: Christian Watson