The Kansas City Chiefs didn't do much to help Patrick Mahomes this offseason. They didn't sign or draft a replacement for Jawaan Taylor and waited until the fifth round to add two skill players in Emmett Johnson and Cyrus Allen.
Not many people expect fifth-round rookies to make an immediate impact -- if at all. Signing Kenneth Walker III was obviously a big move, but it might be insufficient, given how much this team has struggled to score in recent years, due to an outdated scheme and lack of creative run plays.
Fortunately, it looks like the Chiefs' Day-3 rookies may have beaten the odds. According to Sports Illustrated insider Albert Breer, Johnson and Allen turned some heads in the spring and might be in for a larger role than expected in 2026:
"And fifth-round rookies Cyrus Allen (a receiver who showed polish and ability to separate) and Emmett Johnson (an explosive, elusive, open-field weapon) flashed, too," wrote Breer.
Two fifth-round rookies are already outperforming their draft stock in KC
Bringing back Eric Bieniemy was a huge win by the front office. He's a running back guru, and with a true workhorse back like Walker in town, the Chiefs will most definitely have their first 1,000-yard running back in more than half a decade, if they use him correctly.
Johnson isn't the craftiest back, but he can have a Kareem Hunt-type role as a bruiser between the tackles. He can be the team's goal-line and short-yardage back, making the most of his sturdy build. He's also a proven pass catcher, and that should help him get on the field early and often.
As for Cyrus Allen, the Chiefs' wide receiver room might be one of the most underwhelming in the league. Rashee Rice's health is a question mark, and Xavier Worthy hasn't lived up to the hype in two disappointing seasons as a former first-round pick. Allen is a route technician. His shiftiness and acceleration can give Patrick Mahomes a reliable, chain-moving threat, and it's not like he has a lot of competition for touches.
For too long, this team has relied on Patrick Mahomes' greatness and Andy Reid's play-calling to get the job done on offense. That makes sense, but talent can only get you so far.
Once again, they didn't do right by any of them by not making a run at bona fide top-level, offensive players in the draft. Still, general manager Brett Veach has earned the benefit of the doubt with his Day 2 and Day 3 selections, and it looks like he may have struck gold again with this duo of playmakers.
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