The Kansas City Chiefs are less than a week away from the NFL draft, and there’s already plenty of speculation on what they will do with their two first-round picks. The ninth overall pick is at the center of discussion as the Chiefs have several ways they can go. But with next Thursday approaching, the possibility of drafting a receiver is growing, and ESPN’s Peter Schrager believes it could lead them to Arizona State’s Jordyn Tyson.
“With a top-10 pick for the first time since 2017 – when the Chiefs took some guy named Patrick Mahomes – Kansas City can go in a variety of directions here,” Schrager wrote in his mock draft. “Cornerback and edge rusher are certainly options. I still think finding offensive playmakers is a major priority, though, especially with Mahomes coming off the ACL injury. Tyson pops more than any other receiver in this draft class; he just needs to stay healthy.”
With Chiefs general manager Brett Veach also hinting the team could go wide receiver at No. 9, the entire receiver room is on notice. But the steam could be a sudden turn for Tyquan Thornton, who returned to Kansas City for an opportunity that may not exist if Tyson becomes a Chief.
Chiefs’ Interest in Jordyn Tyson Could Push Tyquan Thornton Down the Depth Chart
Thornton had plenty of good reasons to return to the Chiefs this offseason. After spending his first three seasons with the New England Patriots, the Chiefs stashed him on their practice squad in 2024 before he earned a sizable role at the beginning of the 2025 campaign. In 14 games, Thornton caught only 19 passes for 438 yards and three touchdowns. But his ability to be a downfield threat was important, and it helped him land a two-year, $11 million contract in free agency last month.
With that investment, it appears that Thornton would have a bigger role with the Chiefs this season. But he remains behind Rashee Rice and Xavier Worthy on the depth chart. With Rice seeking money similar to the four-year, $168.6 million contract extension Jaxon Smith-Njigba signed with the Seattle Seahawks last month, Tyson could be an insurance plan if the Chiefs let Rice walk. But he could also be a reason to move on from Thornton after one season, as Kansas City would only eat $4 million in dead money and save $3.5 million against the cap with a release next offseason per Over The Cap.
That could be a solid price to pay to add Tyson to the Chiefs’ offense. A two-year starter at Arizona State, Tyson caught 136 passes for 1,812 yards and 18 touchdowns. Unfortunately, his tenure in Tempe was marred by injuries, and he didn’t work out at the scouting combine after suffering a hamstring injury during the 2025 season.
This could potentially create a “buy low” opportunity for Kansas City; however, if the Chiefs go a different direction at pick No. 9, Tyson is still on the board. ESPN’s Jordan Reid added that Tyson “could still be on the board in the Nos. 17-20 range,” and while the Chiefs’ second first-round pick isn’t until No. 29, it could entice Kansas City to trade up and go get Tyson with nine total selections and four in the top 74 picks.
There is some risk with Tyson, but the talent is there, and he’d be a significant upgrade over Thornton. While Thornton has elite speed (4.28 seconds in the 40-yard dash per MockDraftable), he hasn’t been a consistent contributor since arriving in the NFL, and he could wind up being the odd man out if the Chiefs make an unexpected move on Thursday night.
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