For the first time since trading up to select Patrick Mahomes in the 2017 NFL Draft, the Kansas City Chiefs hold a top-10 selection.
That reality alone signals just how unusual the 2026 offseason has been for Kansas City.
After nearly a decade of sustained dominance, late draft positions, and championship expectations, the Chiefs now find themselves drafting ninth overall.
With that pick comes opportunity.
It also comes difficult decisions.
Recent rumors suggest the Chiefs may use that opportunity to once again target a wide receiver.
On January 19, A-to-Z Sports Kansas City reporter Charles Goldman reignited speculation surrounding Kansas City’s plans.
Goldman predicted that the Chiefs would select Makai Lemon, a wide receiver from USC Trojans, with the No. 9 overall pick.
The prediction immediately drew attention.
Kansas City investing another premium draft pick into the wide receiver position would represent a clear philosophical commitment.
It would also reflect the franchise’s evolving reality.
Goldman explained that the projection is influenced by multiple factors, not just draft value.
“As much as adding a player like Lemon would be about the uncertainty surrounding Chiefs WR Rashee Rice’s off-field situation,” Goldman wrote, “it’d also be about replacing production lost should Travis Kelce retire.”
That framing is critical.
The Chiefs are not simply drafting for 2026.
They are planning for the next era of their offense.
Travis Kelce has been the backbone of Kansas City’s passing attack for over a decade.
His eventual retirement, expected by many to occur in either 2026 or 2027, will leave a massive void.
Kelce’s impact goes far beyond statistics.
He dictates coverage.
He creates space.
He serves as Mahomes’ security blanket in critical moments.
Replacing that influence will require multiple weapons rather than a single player.
Goldman further argued that drafting Lemon would help stabilize a wide receiver room that has lacked clarity since 2022.
“It’s generally the type of move that could solidify a position group that has struggled to take shape since 2022,” Goldman wrote.
He also emphasized timing.
The Chiefs recently hired a new wide receivers coach.
Providing that coach with elite talent immediately would accelerate development.
Goldman supported his prediction with data from draft simulations.
“In multiple simulations,” he wrote, “players like Ohio State’s Carnell Tate and Arizona State’s Jordyn Tyson were off the board by pick No. 9.”
That context matters.
Kansas City may not have its choice of receivers.
Availability could dictate value.
Goldman noted that Lemon was available 80 percent of the time in those simulations.
That level of consistency makes Lemon a realistic target.
It also explains why his name continues to surface in connection with the Chiefs.
When evaluating Lemon as a prospect, Goldman framed him as a classic early-round selection.
“Lemon is one of the many ‘don’t overthink it’ prospects in the early goings of this draft class,” Goldman wrote.
That phrase resonates strongly with NFL evaluators.
Overthinking physical traits has historically caused teams to pass on elite playmakers.
Lemon’s size will be debated.
He is expected to measure under 5-foot-11.
Some evaluators will use that as a reason to hesitate.
Others will question his usage.
Lemon played a high percentage of snaps in the slot at USC.
Slot receivers often face skepticism in early draft evaluations.
Goldman pushed back on both concerns.
He emphasized Lemon’s age.
Lemon will be just 22 years old during his rookie season.
That youth matters.
It signals developmental upside.
It suggests durability.
It also fits Kansas City’s timeline.
Beyond age, Lemon’s production stands out.
Goldman detailed metrics that place Lemon at the top of the class.
“[Lemon’s] 3.13 yards per route run ranks the highest of any receiver in the class,” Goldman reported.
That statistic is significant.
Yards per route run is one of the most predictive receiving metrics at the collegiate level.
It reflects efficiency rather than volume.
It measures how consistently a receiver creates separation and value.
Goldman added that Lemon has proven capable against all coverage types.
“He has defeated both zone and man coverages,” Goldman wrote.
That versatility is essential in the NFL.
Defenses disguise looks.
They adjust weekly.
A receiver who can win regardless of scheme is invaluable.
Goldman also highlighted Lemon’s ability after the catch.
This trait aligns perfectly with Kansas City’s offensive philosophy.
“He’s an absolute demon with the ball in his hands,” Goldman wrote.
Lemon forced 21 missed tackles, ranking second among wide receivers in the 2026 draft class.
He averaged 6.8 yards after the catch per reception.
Those numbers mirror the skill set Kansas City prioritizes.
Mahomes thrives when his receivers create post-catch opportunities.
The Chiefs’ offense is built on space, timing, and improvisation.
Receivers who can turn short passes into explosive plays amplify Mahomes’ strengths.
Goldman concluded his evaluation with a strong endorsement.
“Lemon might be on the smaller side,” he wrote, “but he certainly doesn’t play like it.”
Goldman praised Lemon’s body control, physicality, ball skills, hands, and leaping ability.
He emphasized Lemon’s contested-catch success.
“Put it in the area code,” Goldman wrote, “and he’s coming down with it.”
That description resonates deeply in Kansas City.
Mahomes is known for extending plays and delivering unconventional throws.
Receivers who can adjust mid-air and finish through contact are invaluable.
Lemon’s skill set appears tailor-made for that environment.
If the Chiefs were to draft Lemon, the ripple effects would be significant.
Assuming Rashee Rice avoids further league discipline, Lemon would not need to carry the offense immediately.
Instead, he would join a young, explosive receiving core.
Rice has already established himself as a dangerous YAC threat.
Xavier Worthy, another former first-round pick, adds elite speed and vertical stress.
Together with Lemon, that trio would give Kansas City one of the most dynamic young receiving groups in the NFL.
Each player offers a different skill set.
Each creates mismatches.
Each complements Mahomes’ creativity.
That projection does not even include Jalen Royals, a 2025 draft pick who remains part of the developmental pipeline.
Nor does it account for potential veteran signings or re-signings orchestrated by Brett Veach.
The offensive ceiling would be enormous.
However, there are legitimate counterarguments.
Using a top-10 pick on a wide receiver comes with opportunity cost.
Kansas City has needs elsewhere.
The defensive line could use reinforcements.
The offensive tackle position remains a long-term concern.
Running back depth has also been debated internally.
The 2026 draft class is particularly strong along the defensive line.
Edge rushers and interior disruptors are expected to dominate early selections.
There is also a highly regarded running back prospect available.
Jeremiyah Love from Notre Dame Fighting Irish could be on the board at No. 9.
Love is viewed by some scouts as a future superstar.
Selecting him would reshape the offense in a different way.
Veach will face a difficult balancing act.
Offense versus defense.
Immediate impact versus long-term planning.
Scarcity versus value.
Still, Lemon’s profile makes him impossible to ignore.
Elite production.
Youth.
Scheme fit.
Mahomes compatibility.
Drafting Lemon would be a statement.
It would signal that Kansas City intends to evolve offensively rather than retreat.
It would acknowledge the coming transition beyond Kelce.
And it would place another explosive weapon in the hands of the league’s most dangerous quarterback.
Whether the Chiefs ultimately make that move remains to be seen.
But one thing is certain.
If Makai Lemon is on the board at No. 9, Kansas City will think long and hard.
And if Brett Veach hears his name called, few fan bases would be more excited.
The “demon” playmaker from USC may be exactly what the Chiefs need next.
