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The Kansas City Chiefs were expected to make some big additions to their wide receiver room in the NFL draft, but made only one late pick to address their needs in the passing game.
That could pave the way for a talented undrafted rookie to compete for a roster spot, one analyst predicts. The Athletic’s Jesse Newell broke down the team’s expected depth chart after the end of the draft, predicting that rookie Jeff Caldwell could get some very important looks over the coming weeks.
In his initial depth chart, Newell predicted that the top is solidified with Rashee Rice, Xavier Worthy, and Tyquan Thornton in the top spots. It gets a bit softer after that, with Jalen Royals, Nikko Remigio, Jason Brownlee, and fifth-round pick Cyprus Allen competing for the remaining spots.
“Are the Chiefs still a body or two short?” Newell questioned.
The relative lack of depth could give Caldwell a real chance to make the roster, Newell wrote.
“It was surprising that the team didn’t use a top-three-round draft pick on a receiver, which could become a glaring need in 2027 if the team doesn’t re-sign Rice,” Newell noted. “Even as it stands, the Chiefs’ depth chart looks awfully thin at a position that tends to see a high number of injuries. Expect Jeff Caldwell — an undrafted free-agent signing out of Cincinnati — to get plenty of attention over the next few weeks for this reason.”
Caldwell is seen as an intriguing prospect, with NFL.com draft expert Lance Zierlein predicting he could grow into an above-average backup.
“Caldwell is a developmental prospect with enticing traits and a need for better fundamentals,” Zierlein wrote. “He’s a long-strider with the ability to create separation vertically, but his route-running is underdeveloped and he needs tutoring on how best to set up routes.”
Zierlein wrote that Caldwell will have to improve his catch rate, with some work ahead of him at the NFL level.
“Caldwell’s contested-catch rate is disappointing for a player with his size and ability,” Zierlein wrote. “Coaching should help create more advantages in that area, but he might need to ratchet up his competitiveness on 50/50 balls, as well. His production at Cincinnati won’t excite, but his NFL Scouting Combine performance shows there could be more upside to unlock, which makes him worthy of a middle-round pick as a backup ‘Z’ receiver.”
The Chiefs have already erased two of the biggest question marks among their pass-catchers, which could pave the way for someone like Caldwell to develop on the practice squad. Tight end Travis Kelce opted against retirement, deciding to return for another season in 2025.
Rice also got some good news when the NFL announced that he would not face a suspension after being accused of domestic assault. Rice missed the first six games of the 2025 season while suspended for a street-racing incident where he pleaded guilty to felony charges.
Nathan Dougherty is a sports reporter covering the NFL for Heavy.com, with a focus on the Buffalo Bills, Detroit Lions and Miami Dolphins. Previously he wrote for the Rochester Business Journal and served as the assistant editor of athletic trade magazines Coaching Management, Athletic Management and Training & Conditioning. He is based out of Rochester, New York, and loves everything football. More about Nathan Dougherty
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