Chiefs draft profile: Chris Brazzell comes with special traits and significant concerns

The Kansas City Chiefs somehow still need answers at wide receiver despite everything they’ve sunk into the position. Part of the Chiefs’ issue with their current receiver room is a lack of size, not speed. The Chiefs seem to overemphasize speed at the cost of size, so they continually lack a classic X receiver. What if the Chiefs didn’t have to sacrifice size for their love of speed?

Typically, a prospect who is both big and fast is going to be a pretty special player simply because of those tools. There are only so many players on the planet who can move that well at that size. However, those tools can sometimes come a little cheaper when paired with risk and red flags. We’ve seen the Chiefs take risks on players before. Is 4.40 speed at 6-foot-5 worth taking a chance on?

Chris Brazzell II has moments where he looks like the best player on the field in games chock full of NFL talent. He also has moments that make you wonder if he’ll ever reach his full potential. Are the Chiefs willing to develop that potential, or are they better off passing? Lots of attention has been given to the Chiefs holding a top-10 pick, but they’re also picking near the top of each round. The Chiefs may need to take some big swings to draft superstars in this draft, too.

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: Chris Brazzell II, Wide Receiver, Tennessee

Age: 22 (on draft day)

Height: 6-5

Weight: 200 LBS.

Tape Exposure: Georgia (2025), Mississippi State (2025), Florida (2025)

Shades of: Marquez Valdes-Scantling

Chris Brazzell II's background check

Born in Midland, Texas, Chris Brazzell II is the son of former NFL and CFL player Chris Brazzell, a sixth-round pick by the New York Jets in 1998. A two-sport athlete in high school (basketball and football), he was a four-star recruit via 247Sports. In 2022, he committed to Tulane. During his freshman year, he appeared in just one game. His sophomore season marked a breakout for the Green Wave, finishing with 711 yards and five touchdowns. He entered the transfer portal after the 2023 season.

Brazzell committed to Tennessee in 2024 and saw limited playing time in his first season. The 2025 season was the best of his college career, as he posted 62 receptions for 1,017 yards and nine touchdowns. He declared for the NFL Draft on December 11, 2025. His younger brother, Colin, is also a defensive back at Tennessee.

Chris Brazzell's strengths

Separation

Brazzell possesses several ways to separate against both man and zone coverage. He tempos his releases well and fights through contact effectively. He has a natural feel for zone coverage and uses his hands to swipe and release. He ranks in the 81st percentile in separation score via Pro Football Focus.

Size and Speed

Brazzell's ability to take the top off a defense is special. His tape against Georgia speaks for itself (177 yards, three touchdowns). His ability to take any touch to the house is a game-changer. He can fight through contact at the catch point with his 200-pound frame and long arms. His body control is excellent, highlighted by a reel full of circus catches in the air and along the sideline.

Ball Tracking

Brazzell not only displays a wide array of difficult catches, but he also tracks the ball extremely well in the air. He reads and adjusts to the ball while it’s in flight and can make the most of inaccurate downfield throws. His ball tracking and speed help him rank in the 91st percentile for average depth of target, according to PFF.

Scouting Chris Brazzell's weaknesses

Versatility

There’s a lengthy track record of wide receivers from Tennessee’s Josh Heupel system struggling to transition to the NFL. Part of this stems from alignment. Brazzell plays very close to the boundary and lined up in nearly the same spot, with 713 of his 751 snaps coming on the right boundary of the formation (via PFF). He is also somewhat limited by a route tree that exists mostly in the vertical space.

Yards after Catch

Brazzell shows very little creation after the catch, as his speed is his primary weapon. He plays less physically than his frame might suggest. Because he aligns so close to the boundary and is targeted far downfield, the catch often ends the play. His 3.4 yards after the catch per reception rank in the third percentile among all receivers.

Character Concerns

Brazzell has had several issues related to traffic violations, including speeding, driving without insurance, driving with a suspended license, and failure to appear in court. This led to an arrest in August 2025. Additionally, some reps leave you scratching your head in terms of effort, including lack of blocking in the run or screen game and taking reps off when he feels he isn’t getting the ball.

Why the Chiefs might want to pass on Chris Brazzell?

The traits are special when it comes to his size, speed, and production, but they come with significant concerns. Between the lack of versatility, limited YAC, below-average contested catch rate, and historical comparisons, there’s plenty of risk with Brazzell. His highlight reel may be among the best in the class, his combine performance should be impressive, and with growth, he could develop into a Brian Thomas Jr.-type talent. At the right spot, he could be a valuable pick, but he’s not someone to plan around from a 2026 development standpoint.

Chris Brazzell II has a rare combination of size and speed that makes him an ideal field stretcher. He is a refined route runner who uses his body well to track the ball and manipulate defenders. However, his limited YAC, lack of versatility, and overall inconsistency make him a challenging projection to the NFL.

Round Grade: Red Chip (Day 3 pick)