As Kansas City welcomed its newest group of Chiefs, the buzz around the 2025 NFL Draft rippled all the way to the UMKC campus, where students had plenty to say about the team’s seven new additions – more specifically Jalen Royals.
The draft, held this year in Green Bay, Wisconsin, saw the Chiefs open their selections late in the first round with pick No. 32. They opted to bolster the offensive line by selecting Ohio State offensive tackle Josh Simmons, a move that many analysts saw as a safe, if not flashy, start to the weekend.
From there, Kansas City went on to pick up defensive lineman Omarr Norman-Lott, edge rusher Ashton Gillotte, cornerback Nohl Williams and linebacker Jeffery Bassa, rounding out a defensive-heavy draft class.
On offense, the team grabbed two skill players, wide receiver Jalen Royals and utility threat Brashard Smith.
But it was Royals, a speedy and elusive pass-catcher out of Utah State, who seemed to spark the most excitement on campus.
“A lot of people saw him going in the second or third round,” said Gavin Mahurin, a sophomore mathematics and statistics major. “He’s kind of a ‘Rashee Rice’ type build. People have even compared his route running and break tackle ability to Ja’Marr Chase or DJ Moore.”
Mahurin and other students believe Royals could become a key part of Patrick Mahomes’ offense, especially if the rookie earns early reps in Kansas City’s high-powered system.
Without questions surrounding the depth of the Chief’s receiving corps, Royals’ draft slot might not reflect his true value – a sentiment that has some calling him the steal of the draft.
“Royals plays with a chip on his shoulder,” added Hailey McIntyre, a sophomore majoring in business administration. “You can tell that he wants to prove people wrong, and I think that if the Chiefs give him a chance, he’ll do just that.”
For now, Chiefs Kingdom, and a few sharp-eyed UMKC students, will be watching closely as rookie minicamp begins and storylines start to unfold.
