The Kansas City Chiefs took Jalen Royals in the fourth round, and even though he wasn’t a high draft pick, the Utah State receiver is already catching the attention of the offense’s most important voice — Patrick Mahomes.
Royals is navigating life as a rookie as he transitions from the college game to the NFL. He has to learn a new offense and understand what parts of his game can translate to the pros. Nonetheless, the 22-year-old receiver has one advantage that other rookie wideouts don’t have: Mahomes under center.
On Sunday, Royals spoke with the media and shared how Mahomes is helping him in his development as the 6-foot-0 receiver looks to turn into a reliable target that the Chiefs star can count on during the 2025 season.
“In the meeting room, he tells me everything I need to do,” Royals said (h/t Nate Taylor of ESPN). “He’ll tell me corrections. After the play, he’ll let me know on the sideline.”
Mahomes’ time with the Royals isn’t going unnoticed. Chiefs head coach Andy Reid said he’s starting to see the 29-year-old show a major trait that should serve as a confidence booster for the first-year receiver.
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“He’s catching the ball well, he’s strong, and it looks like the quarterback is trusting him,” coach Andy Reid said of Royals. “That’s a big part of it. You see who the quarterbacks [Mahomes and backup Gardner Minshew] are going to, and there’s a certain trust that they’re developing here in that kid.”
Kansas City selected Royals 133rd overall with the hope that he can return to his 2023 form. That season, he posted 71 receptions, 1,080 yards and 15 touchdowns as a junior.
However, in his senior year, he suffered a season-ending foot injury in October 2024, limiting him to seven games along with 55 receptions, 834 receiving yards, and six touchdowns. It will be interesting to see if Royals can have an impact as a rookie on a team with Super Bowl aspirations.
