The 6-11 Kansas City Chiefs are eyeing the 2026 NFL Draft to restore their dynasty after missing out on the playoffs for the first time in a decade. Their star quarterback’s ACL injury showcased gaps across the roster, and the No.9 pick allows them to address it with the selection of a premium college player. For the Chiefs, it could include a pick at wide receiver on Day 1.

“Those at the highest levels of the Chiefs organization view pick no. 9 as a premium selection with a near-guaranteed opportunity to acquire a true difference-maker and a franchise pillar,” wrote NFL Managing Editor Charles Goodman of AtoZ Sports.

He later added, “They’re specifically looking for a player who can elevate the offense or defense in the same way that No. 15 took the team’s game to new heights.”

The franchise earned a top 10 draft pick for the first time since 2013. Getting early draft picks will help them get the best of the batch. It will provide them with a chance to draft a potential star who can lead the franchise, similar to someone like Patrick Mahomes, who helped them end their 50-year Super Bowl drought. However, there is no hard and fast rule regarding the position. The pick can be for an offensive player or a defensive player, but the wide receiver role is something that they need to focus on first.

According to the reports, the Chiefs aren’t starting from scratch at receiver. They already know what Rashee Rice and Xavier Worthy can bring. Jalen Royals is still a mystery, but he’s young, athletic, and has time to settle into the system. What they really need is a role guy. Someone who can move the chains and show up in the red zone. That’s where Elijah Sarratt fits.

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This Indiana receiver creates space with clean breaks and doesn’t shy away from contact. He stays patient in his routes and uses his hands to beat press coverage. Furthermore, he understands zones and knows exactly where the boundary is. Against man coverage, he’s been among the best in the country. Add in his NFL-ready frame, steady hands at the catch point, and strong body control, and you get a receiver who wins when things get tight. He is exactly the kind of piece this room is missing.

However, there’s a wrinkle here that’s challenging. The Chiefs are picking higher than they have in more than a decade, and that changes the money side of the draft in a real way. Normally, a late first-round pick barely moves the cap needle. But this time, it does, as sitting at No. 9 means a rookie contract that comes with real weight, the kind that instantly puts that player among the team’s biggest cap hits.

Wide receivers and edge rushers cost even more on the open market. So the question isn’t just talent, it’s value. If Brett Veach believes a player like Sarratt or Jeremiyah Love truly raises the floor and the ceiling of this offense, then he shouldn’t blink. Still, every move has to fit together, as the Chiefs don’t have many options left.

The Chiefs may target a WR to replace Rashee Rice

The Chiefs drafted Rashee Rice in 2023, hoping to strengthen their wide receiver lineup. The wide receiver produced magic numbers in his rookie season, winning Super Bowl LVII. However, moving forward, he reportedly became involved in various issues outside the gridiron.

Recently, the wide receiver made headlines again: this time for something he did off the field that caught everyone’s attention. His former partner accused Rice of abuse and property destruction. The Chiefs communicated with the NFL, but have been silent on the matter since then. At the beginning of the 2025 season, he was even suspended for violating the league’s personal conduct policy.

With the WR having gone through multiple issues, it remains uncertain whether he can focus on the field. That leaves Xavier Worthy as the only viable WR option available. Hence, to make sure that they are not short-handed in that position, the Chiefs may also go for a wide receiver.

The 2026 Class is loaded with wide receiver talent. USC’s Makai Lemon, Ohio State’s Carnell Tate, and Arizona State’s Jordyn Tyson are a few of the names that can land in Kansas City. Lemon’s box score reads 79 receptions for 1,156 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns, the best among the trio. But the other two are also not far behind.

There is also the Senior Bowl, where the Chiefs can identify talented wide receivers. Players like Creed Humphrey, Kingsley Suamataia, Trey Smith, and several others were discovered through the Senior Bowl. This year is no different, with prospects such as Josh Cameron from Baylor and Tyren Montgomery from John Carroll drawing attention.

Based on these names, it’s clear there’s no shortage of wide receiver talent. The Chiefs have a strong chance to land an exceptional player. Now, the question is who they will draft: will it be a future star or someone who helps restore balance in the wide receiver room?