Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Jalen Royals takes part in a drill during the team’s rookie … More
Since he became the Kansas City Chiefs’ starting quarterback, Patrick Mahomes had his fewest passing yards (3,928) and yards per pass attempt (6.8) in 2024.
Part of the reason for that down year — at least by Mahomes’ very elite standards — was because of issues at wide receiver. No player from that position group, which lost Marquise “Hollywood” Brown and Rashee Rice to injuries, had more than 638 receiving yards.
In addition to hopefully healthier seasons from Brown and Rice, rookie fourth-round pick Jalen Royals should bolster the receiving corps in 2025.
Many in the know have called the 133rd overall pick one of the steals of the 2025 NFL Draft. ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. had him ranked as his 72nd best player.
That potential steal of a prospect made his Chiefs debut at rookie minicamp, which goes from May 3 to May 5.
On Day Two of the camp, Chiefs head coach Andy Reid praised Royals.
“You can see his talent for sure. He did a couple good things (Saturday),” he said. “Sometimes the second day can be a nice challenge for them.”
The challenge comes from picking up Reid’s extensive and intricate offensive scheme.
(“I’m) just trying to learn everything I can,” Royals said. “You’re dealing with Andy Reid. So it’s a very complex offense.”
Playing the X Receiver
Royals said he wants to master multiple receiving positions on the Chiefs offense, but the 6-0, 205-pounder likely will be featured mostly on the outside.
That’s where he played as Utah State’s X receiver or split end last year. The split end typically aligns farthest from the ball and specializes in beating jams and stretching the field vertically or horizontally.
Royals also played a bit as slot receiver, which is the crafty, inside option route runner who sustains drives with quickness, last year.
He handled those positions adeptly at Utah State.
He caught 71 passes for 1,080 yards and 15 touchdowns in 2023. His numbers were still impressive in 2024 but dipped to 55 catches, 834 yards and six touchdowns because a foot injury limited him to seven games.
Those stats — along with his 4.42 40 time at the 2025 NFL Combine — should make him an enticing weapon for Mahomes.
The three-time Super Bowl MVP called Royals after the Chiefs drafted him.
“He just congratulated me,” Royals said, “just wishing me the best and telling me that I need to come in and work.”
Chiefs Had Same 133rd Pick Last Year
Mahomes and the Chiefs are hoping Royals works out as well as the 133rd pick last year. The Chiefs had that exact same selection — as part of the Xavier Worthy trade — and used it on Jaden Hicks, and the rookie safety ended up leading the team in interceptions.
The rookie contracts of draft picks are slotted, and as the 133rd pick, Hicks received a four-year, $4.5 million contract, and Royals should receive a similar deal.
It will, of course, be a long time until one can determine whether Royals can make a similar impact to the one Hicks did last year.
The rookie minicamp is the draft class’s first introduction to the NFL, and that began with a Friday night rookie dinner. Owner Clark Hunt spoke, and then staffers showed a Chiefs highlight reel.
It left 2025 second-round pick Omarr Norman-Lott in awe.
“I was like, Dude, you’re really here,” the defensive lineman said.
Now that — like his draft classmates — Royals is officially a member of the Chiefs: What would it take to deem his first practices with the team as a success?
“Just coming in, competing and learning the offense,” he said. “That’s the biggest thing for me.”