The Kansas City Chiefs are expected to target a wide receiver with the No. 32 selection in the 2024 NFL Draft. That expectation grew tenfold after sophomore wideout Rashee Rice was allegedly involved in a racing-related accident over the weekend.
If reports are accurate, the incident clouds Rice's immediate availability for the 2024 season. The Chiefs' depth chart doesn't feature much at receiver besides Rice. Marquise "Hollywood" Brown and Justin Watson would become the starting wideouts. Marquez Valdes-Scantling was released from his contract earlier this offseason.
General manager Brett Veach must prepare for all scenarios. Drafting an instant contributor just became of the utmost importance. Despite winning another Super Bowl, there’s room to improve a passing attack that finished outside the top five. We've identified three potential receivers Veach could target with the 32nd overall selection.
ADONAI MITCHELL, TEXAS
Adonai Mitchell is a big-bodied vertical playmaker who would thrive alongside Patrick Mahomes. Mitchell is often at his most productive when separating from defenders deep down the field, but he isn't a one-trick pony. He's an extremely smooth route-runner who also does damage in the underneath and intermediate portions.
Mitchell is a 6-foot-2, 205 athletic weapon who ran the 40-yard dash in a blazing-fast 4.34 seconds at the NFL Combine. Mitchell also had a 39.5-inch vertical and 11-foot-4 broad jump. Mitchell is a rare athlete who positioned himself as a potential top-32 selection in Indianapolis. The Missouri City, Texas native produced 55 receptions for 845 yards and 155 touchdowns this past season. Veach would be thrilled to add Mitchell to the Chiefs' high-flying offense.
XAVIER LEGETTE, SOUTH CAROLINA
Arguably no receiver in college football broke out of his shell the way Xavier Legette did this season. After being misused by previous offensive coordinators, totaling just 423 receiving yards combined throughout the first four years of his career, Legette exploded out as a fifth-year senior in 2023 to record 71 catches for 1,255 yards and seven touchdowns. First-year South Carolina OC Dowell Loggains unlocked Legette's potential.
Legette blends an elite combination of height, weight, speed, and athleticism. He's extremely dense and muscular at 6-foot-1 and 221 pounds. Legette's frame makes him a strong run-after-catch threat. He would fill a critical role in the Chiefs' passing game.
BRIAN THOMAS JR., LSU
Brian Thomas Jr. led all college football receivers in touchdowns with 17 scores throughout the 2023 campaign. His production catapulted him into the first-round conversation. Thomas Jr. then increased his top-32 chances by running a 4.34 40 at 6-foot-2 and 209 pounds. Thomas Jr. also had a 38.5-inch vertical and 10-foot-6 broad. Thomas Jr. captured a 9.97 Relative Athletic Score.
Thomas Jr. is a big-play receiver who pairs top-end speed and acceleration with an innate ability to track the deep ball. Vertical separation skills and a massive catch radius allow Thomas Jr. to create explosive plays. Opposing secondaries attempt to play Cover 2 against the Chiefs to prevent deep completions. The challenge to keep Kansas City's offense in check would become even more difficult with Thomas Jr. at Mahomes' disposal.
