The Kansas City Chiefs enter the 2025 season with one of their most talented receiving corps in years, despite facing early adversity with Rashee Rice suspended for the first six games. This group has the depth and skill to produce multiple 1,000-yard receivers and could be the key to another championship run. Here’s how I project the receiving totals will shake out for each Chiefs receiver in the upcoming 2025-2026 season.
The Elite Tier: 1,000-Yard Threats
Hollywood Brown – 75 receptions, 1,150 yards, 8 touchdowns
With Rice suspended, Brown steps into the clear WR1 role and is poised for a monster season. The veteran speedster brings elite deep-ball ability that perfectly complements Patrick Mahomes’ arm talent. After missing most of 2024 due to injury, Brown is healthy and motivated to prove he’s still an elite receiver. His experience and route-running prowess will make him Mahomes’ go-to target early in the season.
Xavier Worthy – 78 receptions, 1,050 yards, 10 touchdowns
The second-year speedster is ready for a breakout campaign that could establish him as one of the league’s premier young receivers. His rookie season showed flashes of brilliance, and with increased opportunity in this talented corps, Worthy has all the tools to become a consistent 1,000-yard threat. His ability to stretch the field vertically while also working underneath makes him a matchup nightmare.
Travis Kelce – 88 receptions, 1,000 yards, 9 touchdowns
Don’t count out the future Hall of Famer just yet. While Father Time is undefeated, Kelce still possesses elite route-running and an unbreakable connection with Mahomes. In an offense loaded with talent, Kelce should see plenty of favorable matchups as defenses struggle to account for all the weapons. Expect a vintage Kelce season as he proves the reports of his decline were greatly exaggerated.
The Impact Players: Significant Contributors
Rashee Rice – 68 receptions, 900 yards, 8 touchdowns
Despite missing the first six games, Rice remains too talented to keep down. His 2024 performance before injury showed he was ready for stardom, and his return in Week 7 could provide the spark for a championship push. Once back, expect Rice to quickly reclaim a major role in an offense that will have even more weapons around him.
Jalen Royals – 45 receptions, 650 yards, 6 touchdowns
The fourth-round steal from Utah State is positioned to be one of the draft’s biggest surprises. Royals brings NFL-ready route-running and reliable hands that could see him earn significant playing time as a rookie. His college production suggests he’s ready to contribute immediately, unlike many Chiefs wide receivers historically. Don’t be surprised if he becomes a favorite red-zone target.
The Reliable Veterans: Steady Production
JuJu Smith-Schuster – 42 receptions, 520 yards, 4 touchdowns
The veteran slot receiver brings championship experience and sure hands to a loaded receiving room. While he may not put up massive numbers, his reliability and clutch performance in key moments make him invaluable. Smith-Schuster’s presence allows younger receivers to develop without pressure while providing a steady target for Mahomes.
Noah Gray – 38 receptions, 450 yards, 5 touchdowns
The backup tight end continues his upward trajectory and should see increased opportunities in this explosive offense. Gray’s red-zone prowess and reliable hands make him a valuable weapon, especially in two-tight end sets that could become more frequent with this deep receiving corps.
The Speed Merchants: Deep Threat Specialists
Tyquan Thornton – 25 receptions, 420 yards, 3 touchdowns
The former Patriots speedster brings legitimate 4.28 speed that gives the Chiefs another vertical weapon. Early training camp reports suggest he’s quickly grasped the system, and his ability to stretch the field could make him a valuable role player in this deep receiving corps.
Justin Watson – 22 receptions, 280 yards, 3 touchdowns
Watson has proven to be a reliable contributor when called upon, bringing veteran savvy and special teams value. His steady presence provides depth and insurance in case of injuries throughout the long season.
The Championship Formula
This receiving corps projects to generate approximately 480 total receptions for 6,200 yards and 56 touchdowns in 2025 – numbers that would rank among the best in Chiefs history. The combination of established veterans, emerging stars, and promising rookies creates a perfect storm for offensive excellence.
The depth is unprecedented in the Andy Reid era. Having multiple 1,000-yard receivers would be a first for Kansas City, but this talent-rich group has the ability to achieve exactly that. Hollywood Brown’s veteran presence as the early-season WR1 provides stability, while Worthy’s explosive ability gives them a game-breaking element.
Perhaps most importantly, Jalen Royals represents the type of draft pick that championship teams consistently hit on – finding NFL-ready talent in the middle rounds. His potential emergence could provide the depth needed for a championship run.
The Bottom Line
Forget the narrative about receiver concerns – this Kansas City receiving corps is loaded with talent from top to bottom. The combination of proven veterans, emerging stars, and promising rookies creates the deepest and most skilled group in franchise history.
With Patrick Mahomes distributing the ball and Andy Reid designing the plays, this receiving corps has all the pieces necessary to power another championship run. The early-season absence of Rice might actually benefit the group long-term, allowing others to establish chemistry and roles before adding another elite weapon to an already dangerous mix.
Don’t be surprised when this group rewrites Chiefs receiving records and proves that championship teams can overcome any obstacle when they have the right combination of talent, depth, and opportunity.