The Chiefs could see a few changes in their receiver room with Rashee Rice out of the picture. His absence may create extra opportunities for players further down the depth chart, especially those still trying to secure a bigger role with the team.

Some are entering their second year looking to bounce back, while others are still trying to make a stronger case for themselves. Here are five Chiefs wide receivers who could benefit the most from the situation.

Jimmy Holiday

Rice being out could help a few players move up the depth chart, and Jimmy Holiday may be one of them. The Chiefs could give him more chances on offense and special teams as they continue looking at their receiving options.

The 2025 UDFA signing has already worked hard to stay around the team. He made Kansas City’s 90-man offseason roster in 2025 after a rookie minicamp tryout. He did not make the final 53-man roster, but he stayed on the practice squad for almost the entire year.

Holiday later signed a reserve/future deal for 2026. He also had a 50-yard catch against the Chicago Bears during the preseason.

Jason Brownlee 

Jason Brownlee already knows how an opening like this can help. He made the Chiefs’ 53-man roster in 2025 after Rice’s suspension created an available spot.

In his 6 games in 2025, he had one touchdown for 56 yards.

Still, that was not the only reason he made the team. Brownlee also performed well during OTAs, mandatory minicamp, training camp, and preseason.

But he could not do much with the chances he got, finishing with one target and no catches in six games. Now he could enter another season knowing what the team wants from him.

Cyrus Allen 

There has been a recent pattern of Chiefs rookie receivers taking some time before getting a full role because of Andy Reid’s offensive system. Cyrus Allen now has a chance to change that, and it could begin during OTAs and mandatory minicamp.

The 5-foot-11, 180-pound receiver already showed some good signs at the rookie minicamp. He made a few impressive catches in the middle of the field, including some while No. 6 overall pick Mansoor Delane was covering him.

Allen is not an exact replacement for Rice, but his absence could open the door for some early first-team reps and give the Chiefs a better look at him against stronger competition.

Jalen Royals 

Many looked at Jalen Royals as a backup plan in case Rice missed games after being picked in the 2025 NFL Draft. But things did not go the way Kansas City would have wanted during his first year.

Knee tendinitis kept the Royals out for most of training camp and continued into the season as well. He played in seven games with two starts and finished with three catches for four yards, along with a 30-yard kick return.

OC Matt Nagy called him a fast learner, but Royals could not get comfortable in the system last season. With Rice out, he now has a chance to get some of those missed reps back and do better in 2026.

Omari Evans

Omari Evans could also get more chances with Rice out. He is just under 6-foot-1 and comes in at 195 pounds, which makes his size close to Rice's.

Evans accumulated eight touchdowns in his 4 years. In that time, he appeared in 49 games and tallied 929 yards. In his Senior year, he averaged 14 yards per attempt in his 11 games.

The Chiefs now have a few receivers with a chance to get a bigger role. Some are trying to make up for missed time, while others are still trying to prove themselves. With extra opportunities available, the next few months could be important for these players.

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Written by

Divyanshi Raj

Edited by

Aadesh Dhote