The Kansas City Chiefs were one of the teams that opened OTAs this week. They reported to the building on May 27 and have a range of practices running until June 13.
They are using this time to build the chemistry for the 2025 season, and guys look to make a name for themselves. Several rookies are getting their first couple of practices in with the entire team, and one player already stood out on Thursday.
Senior team reporter Matt McMullen dropped a few notes from Thursday's practice and wrote that receiver Jalen Royals had a great day.
He wrote, "Jalen Royals made the play of the day with a leaping, strong grab in the back of the end zone during 7-on-7. Royals had a great practice."
Jalen Royals Had a Great Showing During Thursday’s Practice
The Chiefs nabbed Royals in the fourth round with the 133rd overall pick. Many draft experts thought he would have been gone in the third round at the latest, but Kansas City got some great value.
Even though they have Xavier Worthy, Rashee Rice, and Marquise Brown as their top 3 WRs, injuries are expected to happen, and look for Royals to be someone who could immediately step up.
The Utah State product has smooth footwork, great body control, and does a solid job tracking the ball. The Athletic's Dane Brugler thinks he has the talent to "emerge as a team's WR2 within his first few NFL seasons."
He still has some work to get to that point, but he's already showing up in his first couple of team practices. Over 32 college games at Utah State, Royals had 126 catches for 1,914 receiving yards and 21 touchdowns.
With the Chiefs' top three WRs locked in, Royals is someone who could become WR4 and step into a starting role if anyone goes down.
If he continues to stand out in practice, Andy Reid will find a way to get him on the field in 2025 no matter what.