If you’ve spent any time looking at the roster in Kansas City lately, you know things feel different. The "dynasty" talk hasn't stopped, but the vibes in the wide receiver room are definitely a bit... chaotic. Honestly, it's a puzzle. After a 2025 season that saw the offense stumble in ways we aren't used to seeing from a Patrick Mahomes-led unit, the chiefs wide receiver depth chart is currently a work in progress that looks more like a construction site than a finished product.
Fans keep waiting for that "Tyreek Hill" replacement to magically appear. It isn't happening. Instead, Andy Reid and Brett Veach are playing a high-stakes game of "who can we trust?" Heading into the 2026 offseason, the answers aren't as clear as the box scores might suggest.
The Reality of the Chiefs Wide Receiver Depth Chart Right Now
Let's be real: the 2025 season was a massive reality check. We saw Marquise "Hollywood" Brown sign on, get hurt almost immediately, and then struggle to find his rhythm. By the time 2026 rolled around, Hollywood was already posting farewell messages on Instagram. He's basically out the door, headed for free agency after a stint that can only be described as a letdown.
So, who is actually left?
- Rashee Rice: He’s the undisputed WR1 on paper, but he’s also the biggest question mark. Between off-field legal issues and some inconsistent growth on the field, he’s a "hold your breath" kind of star. He led the receivers with 571 yards in 2025, but that’s a low bar for this offense.
- Xavier Worthy: The speed is there. We've seen it. But his rookie year was plagued by health issues and a lack of chemistry on the deep ball. He finished with 532 yards. You've got to wonder if he's the next star or just another fast guy who doesn't quite fit the system.
- JuJu Smith-Schuster: The veteran presence. He’s reliable in the "dirty" areas of the field, but he isn't scaring any defensive coordinators in 2026. He's basically a safety valve at this point.
- Jalen Royals: The 2025 fourth-round pick. He barely saw the field last year. If he doesn't make a massive jump this summer, he's just another name on the bubble.
- Tyquan Thornton: He’s technically there, but his usage was so low in 2025 that most fans forgot he was on the team.
It's a thin group. Especially when you consider that Travis Kelce isn't getting any younger and the passing game needs more than just a legendary tight end to stay elite.
Why the "Alpha" Receiver is Still Missing
Most people look at the chiefs wide receiver depth chart and think, "They just need one more guy." But it's deeper than that. The Chiefs have spent years trying to replace speed with more speed. They’ve drafted Skyy Moore (who they eventually traded to the Niners), Rashee Rice, and Xavier Worthy. They’ve brought in vets like DeAndre Hopkins (now with the Ravens) and Mecole Hardman.
The problem? None of them have become that "alpha" that Mahomes can look to when a play breaks down.
When things get messy, Mahomes still defaults to Kelce. In 2025, Kelce had 76 catches for 851 yards. That’s great for a tight end, but when your leading receiver is a 36-year-old tight end, your wideout room is failing you. The depth chart lacks a guy who wins one-on-one matchups consistently on the outside.
What’s Changing in 2026?
Expect a total overhaul. The Chiefs have already let guys like Justin Watson walk to Houston and Mecole Hardman head to Green Bay. The futures contracts they’ve handed out to guys like Jason Brownlee and Justyn Ross feel like "dart throws" rather than actual solutions.
There is a lot of chatter right now about the 2026 NFL Draft. Since the Chiefs are picking higher than usual after a rougher-than-expected season, names like Makai Lemon from USC are surfacing. He’s that "YAC menace" that fits the Andy Reid mold—tough, great hands, and amazing spatial awareness.
Then there's the trade market. Names like A.J. Brown have been floated by analysts because the Eagles are in a weird spot, but the Chiefs are tight on cash. Betting on a massive trade is a gamble most GMs wouldn't take, but Veach isn't most GMs.
The Special Teams Factor
Don’t overlook how the WR depth chart affects the return game. With Brashard Smith (a running back) handling most of the return duties, the receivers have been freed up to focus on the offense. However, Jalen Royals was drafted specifically to compete in that space. If he can't contribute on special teams, his spot on the 53-man roster becomes very precarious.
The Verdict on the Current Roster
Right now, the chiefs wide receiver depth chart is a "B-" at best.
📖 Related: Tyreek Hill Rookie Card: What Most People Get Wrong
- Rice is a playmaker but unreliable.
- Worthy is a burner but unproven.
- JuJu is a vet but slow.
- The rest are essentially placeholders.
If you're a fan, you should be worried about the lack of a true X-receiver. Mahomes is good enough to make anyone look like a Pro Bowler for a game or two, but over a 17-game season, the cracks are showing. The front office knows this. The 2026 offseason is going to be about finding a guy who can actually catch the ball when the game is on the line and Kelce is triple-covered.
Actionable Next Steps for Fans and Analysts
Keep a very close eye on the pre-draft visits this spring. If the Chiefs are meeting with high-end receivers early, it means they’ve lost faith in the current development of Jalen Royals and Xavier Worthy. Also, watch the cap space—if they move some money around (restructuring Mahomes again?), a veteran trade is almost certainly on the table.
The era of "just find speed" is over in Kansas City. Now, they need a technician.