3 free agents Chiefs could sign to raise the floor of receiving corps
When thinking through the top 5 holes remaining on the Kansas City Chiefs ’ roster last week, Arrowhead Pride analyst Nate Christensen led off the list with the wide receiver position, specifically a wideout who can win on the outside, a “boundary receiver.” It’s a need that highlights the strengths of the team’s current receivers. Rashee Rice has proven to be a worthwhile high-volume weapon at his best from the slot. Xavier Worthy has the game-breaking speed that Kansas City should maximize with catch-and-run, crossing routes out of the slot. Tyquan Thornton is a true boundary receiver, but his strengths as a downfield route runner make him best suited as a fourth complement to the three starters, similar to former Chiefs wideout Justin Watson in 2022-2024. The organization could certainly believe in Thornton’s ascension as a true “starter,” potentially more confident in the coaching staff’s ability to develop his skills to be a bigger factor on other routes, to the sideline and over the middle. The belief in Kansas City’s internal options could also extend to the two most recent draft picks at the position. Last year’s fourth-round pick, Jalen Royals , was a boundary-dominant receiver at Utah State and could showcase that moving forward. This year’s fifth-round pick, Cyrus Allen, is coming off a season playing nearly exclusively in the slot at Cincinnati , so Royals could keep an edge on the newcomer by proving his ability to line up at X-receiver, beat press-man coverage and make plays after the catch on slant routes, out routes and other quick hitters. All that said, if the team values an immediate “starter” that can line up on the boundary and get open against man coverage, there are options in free agency. Before the three free agents who could raise the floor of the Chiefs’ starting rotation in 2026, we’ll eliminate a notable name from consideration: The former offensive weapon for the San Francisco 49ers is still available, and sounds intriguing on the surface, but would be too redundant of the skills Rice brings to the table in Kansas City. The two are unique players in the sense that an offense can’t (or shouldn’t try to) feature both at the same time. Over the last two seasons, playing for the New England Patriots and Houston Texans , Diggs has aligned in the slot on the majority of his snaps, marking the first time since 2016 he was not primarily out wide, according to Pro Football Focus. The transition is likely out of age. If the 32-year-old “lost a step” at all, it would become harder for him to win as the boundary receiver, but he still offers zone-beating savvy and is a strong, reliable receiver in contested situations, whether a jump ball or in stride with a defender draped over him. He will be best in a situation with more snap slots available, and one that values yards-after-catch ability less than the Chiefs. That said, if both sides are interested, he would certainly boost the Chiefs’ pass game instantly. His projected salary is nearly $14 million , per Spotrac. With more than a decade of familiarity as a rival, the all-time Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver proved he still has what a team like Kansas City is looking for in a veteran starter out wide, despite turning 34 years old last month. He was thrown to 122 times while playing all 17 games, catching 81 passes for 777 yards and four touchdowns . He lined up out wide on 59% of pass plays, which bucked the trend of his career as one of the league’s toughest coverage assignments out of the slot. However, it is worth noting that Allen began his career playing predominantly on the boundary. Over his first three years in the NFL, 80% or more of his pass snaps came with him lined up on the outside in each season. He moved to playing primarily in the slot during the prime of his career, but he was less exclusively in the slot than his perception suggests. With his experience as one of the league’s most respected route runners, Allen feels like [... truncated ...]