The Chiefs selected two players on Day 3 of the 2025 NFL Draft that could make immediate impacts as rookies
When the Chiefs reflect on the 2025 NFL Draft, it could be remembered as one in which they got tremendous value. Kansas City selected several players who seemingly fell well below their projected range. Let's take a look at two guys in particular who the Chiefs selected on Day 3 that could make immediate impacts […]
When the Chiefs reflect on the 2025 NFL Draft, it could be remembered as one in which they got tremendous value.
Kansas City selected several players who seemingly fell well below their projected range. Let's take a look at two guys in particular who the Chiefs selected on Day 3 that could make immediate impacts as rookies in 2025.
Round 4, pick 133: WR Jalen Royals
Our A to Z Sports Mock Draft Database had Royals being selected at No. 75 overall, a whopping 58 spots ahead of where K.C. ultimately took him. Royals has elite yards-after-catch ability with his solid 4.42 40-yard dash speed and compact 6-foot, 205 pound frame.
The Chiefs have a solid trio atop their wide receiver corps with Rashee Rice, Hollywood Brown, and Xavier Worthy. However, there's not a lot quality depth behind them, which features an aging and injury-prone JuJu Smith-Schuster and disappointing 2022 draft pick in Skyy Moore.
Brown also has an extensive injury history, and Rice is facing a looming suspension. All of those factors will pave the way for Royals having an opportunity to contribute in a major way in 2025. He could challenge Smith-Schuster as the No. 4 WR on the roster right off the bat, and may also find himself as the second or third WR on the depth chart based off the aforementioned circumstances.
Round 7, pick 228: RB Brashard Smith
Make no mistake, Smith has a lot to prove as a seventh-round pick. However, his skillset is a perfect fit for what the Chiefs like in a running back, such as impressive 4.3 40-yard dash speed and receiving skills. Smith was a former WR at SMU, and his switch to RB was inspired by the Chiefs' own Isiah Pacheco.
In front of Smith on K.C.'s depth chart is Pacheco, Kareem Hunt, and Elijah Mitchell. It won't be easy for Smith to get reps behind those guys early on, but all three of them do come with asterisks. Pacheco and Mitchell have been injury plagued, and Hunt will be 30 years old in August. If Pacheco and Mitchell struggle to stay healthy, or Hunt runs out of gas, Smith could end up playing significant snaps in 2025.
Another way Smith can contribute as a rookie is as a return specialist. He returned 55 kickoffs and five punts during his collegiate career. His receiving ability help him to track and the catch the ball after its kicked, and his speed makes him a threat to find the endzone. There are countless creative ways to get Smith the ball, and Andy Reid is the perfect coach to figure out how.
