The Kansas City Chiefs' annual rookie minicamp was held over this past weekend, offering the fanbase a glimpse at the franchise's future. The three-day event has Chiefs fans amped up about the incoming first-year group's potential, especially when it comes to 2025 fourth-round pick Jalen Royals.
Even though he wasn't one of the first wideouts drafted last month, Royals has the potential to be something special in Kansas City — especially with quarterback Patrick Mahomes throwing him the ball. The former Utah State WR's outlook is so promising that it's at the point where even the NFL has taken notice.
Chiefs WR Jalen Royals Selected for NFLPA Rookie Premiere Program
The NFLPA Rookie Premiere program has existed for 30 years and is a tool that helps first-year players get acclimated to the professional level. From helping rookies connect with potential brand partners to bringing in former players to offer some insight and experience, the premiere program's usefulness can't be understated.
As it turns out, the Chiefs' newest rookie WR will be taking part in this year's initiative.
"Royals is one of 42 players selected for the NFLPA Rookie Premiere program," Chiefs Digest's Matt Derrick reported on Thursday. "The program is designed for 'rising stars' to introduce them to the business side of football."
Royals is one of 16 wideouts who are taking part in the 2025 program. The Chiefs' promising playmaker will be joined by fellow WRs like the Carolina Panthers' Tetairoa McMillan and Green Bay Packers' Matthew Golden, highlighting the type of talent that Royals will be surrounded by during the Los Angeles-based event.
Hopefully, Royals successfully proves that he deserves to be included with the other top rookie WRs. The 22-year-old playmaker dazzled in his last two seasons with the Aggies, converting 126 catches into 1,914 receiving yards and 21 touchdowns in only 20 games, which includes All-MWC honors in each campaign.
With the talents he boasts, the sky will be the limit for Royals as early as next season. Wideouts Rashee Rice and Hollywood Brown both dealt with injury-plagued 2024 campaigns, whereas the likes of Skyy Moore and Nikko Remigio are on thin ice. As long as he can also outperform JuJu Smith-Schuster, Justyn Ross, and Tyquan Thornton, too, Royals is on track to have a big role in Year 1.
Fortunately, Chiefs fans won't have to wait too long to hear more about Royals ascending the depth chart. The next phase of Kansas City's offseason will begin when organized team activities (OTAs) get underway on Tuesday, May 27.