The Kansas City Chiefs have historically found value on Day 3 of the NFL Draft before. In 2021, they made a significant pick with offensive guard Trey Smith in the sixth round. This year, Brett Veach continued the trend by selecting wide receiver Jalen Royals from Utah State in the fourth round with the No. 133 overall pick.

Royals was ranked as CBS Sports’ No. 66 overall prospect and No. 7 wide receiver this year, marking him as the 18th wide receiver selected in the draft. He garnered recognition as a First Team All-Mountain West player in 2023, catching 71 passes for 1,080 yards and 15 touchdowns. Notably, his touchdown receptions ranked second in the FBS behind LSU’s Brian Thomas Jr..

In 2024, Royals played in only seven games due to a foot injury, yet he averaged an impressive 119.1 receiving yards per game and was a notable player leading into the draft.

CBS Sports NFL Draft expert Chris Trapasso gave the Chiefs’ choice of Royals an “A” grade.

“Stocky YAC specialist. Tested with better speed than what he demonstrates on film. Was the clear No. 1 in college and routinely produced. Limited route tree, not a super-crisp route runner yet and at times fights the football as it arrives. Chiefs had sneaky WR need. Fit boosts this grade.”

In Kansas City, Royals will join a wide receiver lineup that includes Rashee Rice, Hollywood Brown, and Xavier Worthy. This marks the fourth consecutive year that the Chiefs have drafted a wide receiver within the first four rounds.