9, 29, 40, and 74: What wide receivers could be available in the first three rounds?
The wide receivers who could top the Chiefs' draft boards at each selection.
It’s officially draft month. We are a little over three weeks from the biggest NFL Draft of the Patrick Mahomes era. We are also less than a week from the release of the KCSN Draft Guide.
The KCSN Draft Guide is available for pre-order! A Chiefs-specific book with detailed analysis, profiles of hundreds of prospects, player comps, a Chiefs draft pick trade chart, scheme fit analysis, and more! The book release April 6th!
So far this offseason, the Chiefs are worse at the wide receiver spot than they were a year ago. They have lost the production of Hollywood Brown without gaining it back in free agency. There is some reason for optimism with the returning players — Xavier Worthy could be healthier, Rashee Rice will hopefully get a full season, and Tyquan Thornton could develop further in an expanded role.
Regardless of whether some or all of those things happen, the Chiefs need more talent for the short and long-term outlook of their pass-catching options. They are rapidly approaching a need in 2027 for reliable pass catchers.
Much like we did with the EDGE position a couple of weeks ago, it’s time to look at options for the Chiefs with their picks in the first three rounds at the receiver spot.
Pick 9: Makai Lemon
From the KCSN Draft Guide: Lemon has a natural feel for the wide receiver position, headlined by his ability to create separation with his concise route-running ability at all three levels of the field.
If I were to guess the top receiver most likely to be available to the Chiefs at 9, it would be Lemon. Carnell Tate’s odds of going before Kansas City are seemingly higher.
Lemon provides short and long-term value to the Chiefs as a player who could earn a role as a prominent target for Mahomes as early as his rookie season. While there is overlap in some of the areas that he and Rashee Rice have been successful in, that issue could be remedied if the Chiefs move on from Rice after this season.
Pick 29: KC Concepcion, Texas A&M
From the KCSN Draft Guide: Concepcion is a threat to score whenever he touches the ball, no matter where he is on the field.