The Kansas City Chiefs will be flexible with their 2026 NFL Draft plans.
They likely have their player rankings mostly set, but things can change quickly. Even with the draft less than one week away, player’s stocks can still rise or drop. On Friday one of the most polarizing prospects in this year’s class made a case to be an early selection.
Kansas City Chiefs May Be More Inclined to Draft WR Jordyn Tyson After Impressive Pre-Draft Workout
GettyArizona State WR Jordyn Tyson
Where Tyson will be selected during the draft has been a hotly debated subject over the past several months. He is arguably the most talented receiver in this year’s draft class, possessing a nice blend of size, speed, and route running ability.
Unfortunately, Tyson also has a significant injury history. In 2022 while he tore his ACL, MCL, and PCL. In 2024, he fractured his clavicle, which required surgery. Tyson dealt with injuries to both of his hamstrings in 2025, costing him three games and the ability to work out at the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine.
However, Tyson held a private workout at Arizona State on Friday. ESPN college football analyst Pete Thamel had this to say about how it went:
“He showed the twitch, explosiveness and leaping ability we all saw in the fall. He showed he’s healthy and still explosive, which is all he needed to do.”
ESPN draft analyst Matt Miller reported that Tyson ran several routes, and had just one dropped pass.
20 NFL teams had reps at the workout for the likely top 16 pick.
The point of this workout wasn’t necessarily for Tyson to show what he’s capable of. NFL teams will put much more stock into what they see on tape rather than on-field drills. The main purpose was for Tyson to prove that he is fully healthy and can move around well without any restrictions, which is exactly what he did.
With medicals seemingly no longer of concern, Tyson appears poised to be an early pick during the draft. Among the teams who could take him are the Chiefs at No. 9. Wide receiver is still one of their top roster needs, both in the present and future. Pairing him with Rashee Rice, Xavier Worthy, and tight end Travis Kelce would round out Kansas City’s passing attack nicely.
Other Potential First-Round WR Options for Chiefs
GettyOhio State WR Carnell Tate
It’s possible that a receiver doesn’t come off the board until the Chiefs hit the clock at No. 9, which would give them the pick of the litter. If they aren’t sure about Tyson, they could opt for Carnell Tate, who many believe is the safest receiver to take in the draft. At 6-foot-3 and 195 pounds, Tate has a great blend of size and speed. This past season at Ohio State, he recorded 51 receptions for 875 yards and nine touchdowns.
Another option could be Makai Lemon, who is a fast and shifty slot receiver. During his final season at USC, Lemon caught 79 passes for 1,156 yards and 11 touchdowns. Another name to keep an eye on is Omar Cooper Jr., whose stock has also risen as of late. Cooper’s makeup and playing style is very similar to Rice. Over his last two seasons at Indiana, Cooper recorded a total of 97 receptions for 1,531 yards and a whopping 20 touchdowns.
Potential Chiefs 1st-Round Draft Target Just Significantly Raised His Stock