Chiefs draft profile: Eric McAlister brings big-time talent and baggage to NFL

It’s hard to look at the Kansas City Chiefs’ investment at the wide receiver position over the last few years and think they need more. Since trading Tyreek Hill, they’ve drafted Skyy Moore, Rashee Rice, Xavier Worthy, and Jalen Royals. They’ve signed JuJu Smith-Schuster (three times), Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Marquise Brown, and Justin Watson. They’ve traded for Kadarius Toney and DeAndre Hopkins, and yet the room still seems to have more questions than answers long term.

The Chiefs have already made it clear they weren’t happy with what they were getting from their receivers after firing Connor Embree. With Brown and Smith-Schuster both set for free agency in March, and Rashee Rice entering the final year of his controversial rookie contract, there’s really no way the Chiefs can think they are set at receiver for 2026 and beyond. Top receivers in the NFL get selected on Day 2 of the draft all the time. Is this a place the Chiefs consider taking another pass catcher with all the other needs on their roster?

There’s certainly plenty of buzz around several wide receivers in the draft, especially at the top. While there are several good talents, there is not an elite prospect like we’ve seen in recent years with Marvin Harrison Jr., Malik Nabers, or Ja’Marr Chase. The Chiefs might be best off waiting later for value at the receiver position, with a name like Eric McAlister.

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: Eric McAlister, Wide Receiver, TCU

Age: 22 (on draft day)

Height: 6-3

Weight: 205 LBS.

Tape Exposure: SMU (2025), Cincinnati (2025), BYU (2025)

Shades of: Tre Harris

Eric McAlister's background

McAlister attended Azle High School in Texas, where he ran track and field and played football. He was ranked as a three-star prospect by 247Sports and committed to Boise State in 2021. In two seasons for the Broncos, he amassed 1,132 yards and nine touchdowns before entering the transfer portal as a three-star transfer prospect. He committed to TCU in 2023 and had two strong seasons for the Horned Frogs. McAlister had a strong senior year with 1,190 yards and 10 touchdowns. He declared for the NFL Draft in January 2026.

Why is Eric McAlister an ascending prospect?

Size and Speed Combo

At 6-3 and 205 lbs., McAlister still has strong speed down the field, consistently creating separation with his long strides. His speed is more than just long speed, though, as he accelerates well and is sudden in and out of his breaks. His size helps him be competitive at the catch point, winning goal-line fades and competing over the middle of the field. His frame has led him to rank 10th in average depth of target among all FBS receivers (minimum 100 routes).

YAC

Despite being long and slightly lean for his frame, he’s consistently been able to break tackles after the catch. He has several big chunk gains that come from breaking out of contact at the catch point and turning upfield. He also displays creative running after the catch, using his blockers well and finding running lanes. His 7.9 yards after catch per reception ranks second among all FBS receivers (minimum 100 routes).

Diversity

McAlister is big enough to line up and win on the line of scrimmage as a traditional X receiver. He took 621 snaps on the outside for TCU in 2025, and his speed and YAC ability help him as a real threat out of the slot as well, with over 170 snaps there in 2025. He leads all FBS receivers in yards per route run against man coverage (4.0) via PFF. His 2.70 yards per route run make him a viable weapon against zone coverage as well.

Why McAlister might not be as Advertised

Consistency

Labeling McAlister’s senior-year production as fluky would be disingenuous, but there is an element that seems a little hard to repeat. He also had a very good junior year, but there were several long plays that came from defenders whiffing on tackles that then allowed him to break free for huge gains. That doesn’t mean he shouldn’t get credit for it, but it didn’t look especially repeatable on tape.

Character concerns

McAlister was arrested on March 15 on charges of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and misdemeanor terroristic threat after being accused of threatening a man with a gun. He later pleaded guilty to the terroristic threat charge on Aug. 28, while the assault charge was waived, and received two years of deferred-adjudication probation with conditions including gun safety and anger management courses, as well as no contact with the victim. McAlister was arrested again on Aug. 19 for violating bond conditions after a urine test returned positive for THC.

Consistency at the catch point

McAlister is a body catcher who doesn’t always reach out to snag the ball with his hands. His 7.8 drop percentage ranks 11th in the FBS (minimum 100 routes). He’s been used in contested-catch situations, but his 37.9% catch rate is among the worst of qualified receivers. He’s not a player you can consistently count on to finish difficult catches.

Eric McAlister: Diamond in the rough or alarming profile?

When you look at McAlister’s tools and the numbers, it’s hard not to like what you see. The production is exciting, and the traits suggest he’s more than just a product of a pass-heavy system. However, the off-field red flags and questions at the catch point sound familiar in Kansas City. With development, he could become the next top receiver taken after the first round, or he could be a risky investment in a year and a receiver room where the Chiefs need certainty and maturity.

Eric McAlister is a dynamic weapon down the field and over the middle. His separation ability and yards-after-catch potential make him an enticing option in any offense, but concerns at the catch point and off the field limit his ceiling as a prospect.

Round Grade: Red Chip (3rd round Grade)