With Rice’s Future in Question, Chiefs Could Eye Draft’s Top 2 WRs

Wide receiver is deep in the draft, and the Kansas City Chiefs have a deep need.

Nov 29, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Southern California Trojans wide receiver Makai Lemon (6) celebrates after catching a 32-yard touchdown pass against the UCLA Bruins in the second half at United Airlines Field at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images | Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – When life gives the Chiefs lemons, as it did in 2025, they might not make lemonade. But they could take Makai Lemon in the draft.

They also could take Carnell Tate. Either of those could be available when the Chiefs are on the clock at No. 9 on April 23. And if the Chiefs go edge rusher or Jeremiyah Love in the first round, they’ll be back up soon enough on Day 2 – where Arizona State’s Jordyn Tyson could make a steal early in the second round.

Nov 28, 2025; Tempe, Arizona, USA; Arizona State Sun Devils wide receiver Jordyn Tyson (0) against the Arizona Wildcats during the 99th Territorial Cup at Mountain America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Plus, now that Rashee Rice’s future is in question, wide receiver on Wednesday suddenly became a bigger need for the Chiefs.

Here’s a look at the two top wide receivers in most mock drafts prior to next week’s scouting combine.

Dec 14, 2025; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) passes against the Los Angeles Chargers during the second quarter at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-Imagn Images | Denny Medley-Imagn Images

Makai Lemon, USC

A 5-11, 195-pound speedster from Southern Cal, Lemon projects as a slot receiver. An All-American last season, he averaged 14.6 yards per reception with 1,156 yards and 11 touchdowns on 79 catches. He also returned kicks and punts when the Trojans needed him.

Pro Football Focus mocked Lemon to the Chiefs at No. 9, although many other analysts see Lemon off the board before Kansas City is on the clock.

USC wide receiver Makai Lemon, left, dives into the corners of the end zone for a touchdown under cover from Oregon defensive back Theran Johnson as the Oregon Ducks host the USC Trojans on Nov. 22, 2025, at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Oregon. | Ben Lonergan/The Register-Guard / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

“After making some improvements to their offensive line over the past couple of drafts,” PFF analyst Gordon McGuinness wrote earlier this month, “the Chiefs now have a Top-10 pick to try to give Patrick Mahomes his best wide receiver since Tyreek Hill. Lemon averaged 3.13 yards per route run and dropped just 2.5 percent of the catchable targets thrown his way this past season.”

Carnell Tate, Ohio State

Taller than Lemon at 6-3 and 195 pounds, Tate is more of a Z receiver projected to line up off the line, and could make an excellent target in Andy Reid’s offense. He was even more explosive than Lemon, averaging 17.2 yards per catch (51 receptions, 875 yards, nine touchdowns).

Jesse Newell, who covers the Chiefs for The Athletic, mocked the Ohio State receiver to Kansas City on Thursday in a draft of NFL beat writers from each market.

Indiana Hoosiers defensive back Byron Baldwin Jr. (2) and Indiana Hoosiers defensive back Jamari Sharpe (22) bring down Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Carnell Tate (17) on Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025, during the Big Ten football championship at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. | Grace Smith/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

“A sneaky need for the Chiefs is at receiver,” Newell wrote, “where they have only two players under contract beyond 2026 (Xavier Worthy and Jalen Royals). This draft fell in a positive way, then, with Tate the first receiver off the board. He’s a good team fit, as well.

“The Chiefs typically target run-after-catch guys, but too often last year, they were in need of an outside receiver who could create route separation and be a contested-catch option. Tate — he most often draws George Pickens comps from draft analysts — would be a welcome addition for new receivers coach Chad O’Shea, while also giving Patrick Mahomes a QB-friendly option for years to come.”

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