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Jordyn Tyson is ranked as the top wide receiver on many draft boards.
The Kansas City Chiefs could make the biggest impact during Night 1 of the 2026 NFL Draft.
They own two selections in the first round – No. 9 and No. 29 overall. This will be the first time the Chiefs have picked in the top 10 since trading up to draft quarterback Patrick Mahomes in 2017. They received the 29th pick from the Los Angeles Rams as part of the trade package for cornerback Trent McDuffie.
If Kansas City can nail both selections, it could immediately propel the franchise back into Super Bowl contention. The Chiefs were able to do so last time they had two first-round picks back in 2022, proceeding to win back-to-back championships. Keeping their eyes and ears open could lead to them getting a steal.
Kansas City Chiefs Could Capitalize on Potential Draft Slide From WR Jordyn Tyson
On-field performance strictly speaking, Tyson is considered to have the most upside among all wide receivers in this year’s draft class. Unfortunately, he has a lengthy and serious injury history. Kristopher Knox of Bleacher Report believes that could cause Tyson to dramatically fall down the board.
“As previously noted, several wide receivers are expected to be targeted in the first round. Tyson should be one of them. The Arizona State product has the physical traits of a future All-Pro, and his ceiling is as high as any pass-catcher in this draft class. Tyson is the top-ranked wide receiver on the Bleacher Report Scouting Department’s latest draft board. However, he does carry some injury concerns. He suffered a significant knee injury in 2022, a fractured clavicle in 2024, and is currently dealing with a lingering hamstring issue. Still, Tyson is expected to be a high selection—he went 13th overall to the Los Angeles Rams in ESPN’s latest collaborative mock draft—at least by those in the media.
Of course, teams and draft analysts don’t always see prospects in the same light. A year ago, Michigan cornerback Will Johnson might have been a top-five selection if fully healthy and was still expected to go highly, despite lingering issues. The B/R Scouting Department put him at No. 16 in its final 2025 mock. However, teams were more concerned with Johnson’s knee issue than anyone expected. Ultimately, he fell out of the first round entirely and landed with the Cardinals at No. 47 overall. If teams are similarly concerned with Tyson’s injury history, he could experience his own slide that shakes up the rest of the first round and the receiver market at large.”
Chiefs No Longer Have to Press for WR
Chiefs give injury update on Rashee Rice and Xavier Worthy for Week 13 vs Cowboys.
GettyKansas City Chiefs WRs Rashee Rice (left) and Xavier Worthy (right)
In the past week, Rashee Rice was cleared from getting any form of discipline from the NFL for an off-field legal situation, and coach Andy Reid gave a big vote of confidence to Xavier Worthy. Before then, many believed it was a big possibility that Kansas City would select a receiver as early as ninth overall.
While that still could happen, the Chiefs are now in a position where they don’t have to force it. When it comes to Tyson, taking him at No. 9 seems much riskier now that there isn’t as big of a need for a receiver. However, if he falls to 29, or even to their 40th overall pick in the second round, that would be a great value. Kansas City still has a need at receiver long-term with Rice entering the final year of his contract.