Scouting 'The Beast' for potential Chiefs receivers in the NFL Draft

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The Chiefs — for the short term and long term — need to add a playmaker and a quarterback-friendly option for Patrick Mahomes, who is rehabbing from a season-ending knee injury suffered in December. So which wideouts might make the most sense for K.C.? And what does Brugler think of the top guys? Let’s take a closer look, with help from “The Beast.” If the Chiefs look to diversify their receiver room, Tate could be a target with their first pick. Brugler describes Tate — his 10th-ranked player — as a “long, technically proficient receiver who can win at all three levels using high-level tracking/adjustment skills and catching radius. He projects as an immediate NFL starting Z with Pro Bowl upside.” Brugler also says Tate, thanks to his “tall, angular frame,” is someone who “eats up ground with long strides and uses gear changes to establish leverage or create vertical separation. He has only average snap out of breaks, but wins more with pacing and body control than suddenness.” Tate’s strengths, in addition to his separation ability, include testing defenses downfield and winning in sideline and contested-catch situations. It’d be the type of skill set K.C. has lacked with Mahomes in many recent seasons. Fun fact about Tate from Brugler: Tate was introduced to football by his grandmother, Kim Tate, who signed him up for pee-wee football while she was helping raise him. A Day 1 NFL starter and potential Pro Bowler. Lemon — Brugler’s 13th-ranked prospect — remains high on draft boards even without elite physical tools. According to Brugler, Lemon “doesn’t wow with his size or athletic profile, but he is a smooth, manipulative route runner and catches everything thrown his way. Similar in ways to fellow former Trojans receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown, he already plays like a pro and projects as an NFL starter (Z or slot).” Lemon’s strengths, per Brugler, include an ability to maneuver around coverage and cut in and out with sharp breaks. He is also seen as “extremely competitive” and a willing blocker who finishes catches through contact. The Chiefs’ offense has historically thrived under coach Andy Reid by getting receivers open in space while letting them eat up yards after the catch. In that way, Lemon could potentially be a match with K.C., which would look to play up that part of his game. Fun fact about Lemon from Brugler: Makai’s great-uncle, Chet Lemon, was a three-time MLB All-Star outfielder who played for the Chicago White Sox and Detroit Tigers from 1975-90. Hints of Amon-Ra St. Brown. Not wildly athletic, but a likely starter at slot or Z. Though Tyson ranks as Brugler’s 20th-best prospect, the Chiefs would likely have to use the ninth pick to select him, given he’s unlikely to fall to No. 29. Tyson’s upside is high, but the big concern is health. Brugler addressed this, saying the receiver’s “injury history is concerning, but on the field, he is a sleek, twitched-up athlete who can create his own separation and win outside his frame at the catch point. He projects as an NFL starter (inside or outside), with a skill set that reminds me of Stefon Diggs.” Brugler said Tyson’s strengths include gaining separation with nifty releases and displaying excellent concentration to come down with frequent “wow” catches. The medical history, though, is a “red flag” for Brugler. Tyson missed multiple games in each of his four college seasons, which included sitting out for hamstring, ankle, knee and collarbone ailments. Fun fact about Tyson from Brugler: Jordyn’s older brother, Jaylon, was a first-round pick of the Cleveland Cavaliers in the 2024 NBA Draft (20th selection). An elite ball-catcher who evokes Stefon Diggs, and a likely NFL starter. Concepcion has been a recent draft riser, according to Grinding the Mocks’ data, and he’s also one of Brugler’s favorites, ranking 21st. Brugler says Concepcion “must cut down on the drops and fine-tune areas of his game, but he is a versatile playmaker with an innate feel for getting open before the catch and creating after it. He has the receiving talent to become a starting slot or Z while also providing value as a punt returner.” Concepcion, according to Brugler, is an “urgent, gliding athlete” who has developed his route-running over time with some future room to grow. Some of Concepcion’s other strengths, according to Brugler, are his sudden releases and excellent acceleration on screens and gadget plays. Fun fact about Concepcion from Brugler: During his college career at NC State, Concepcion established the “KC Concepcion Foundation” to help children and families in need. Cooper, whom Brugler ranks as the 22nd-best prospect, certainly fits the Chiefs’ preferences based on Brugler’s description. Brugler says Cooper “will be an attractive draft target for the NFL teams that put high value on ball skills and run-after-catch ability. He projects as an inside-outside receiver who can be weaponized when featured.” Some other strengths? Brugler says Cooper has “remarkable body control” and demonstrates physicality in his work as a run blocker. Fun fact about Cooper from Brugler: Cooper also lettered in track and field during high school, setting personal bests of 5 feet, 10 inches in the high jump and 23 feet in the long jump. An inside-outside weapon with run-after-catch ability. Boston would provide the Chiefs with the type of receiving threat they don’t currently have on their roster, per Brugler’s evaluation. Brugler says Boston “plays big and balanced with vacuum hands (3.1 percent drop rate). He treats the catch point like he’s a power forward in the paint, boxing out and using his rangy frame and focus to secure the football.” In addition, Brugler said this about his 26th-ranked prospect: “Boston builds his speed with smooth, long strides and naturally adjusts with the hand strength of a ball winner, which should quickly earn him the trust of an NFL quarterback. With his ability to win inside or outside, his game has shades of 2025 Houston Texans draft pick Jayden Higgins.” Fun fact about Boston from Brugler: Denzel’s brother, Andrew, played collegiately at Eastern Washington and attended the Chiefs’ rookie minicamp in 2022 as an undrafted free agent. Makes up for lack of top-end speed with strong hands and large catch radius. Bernard isn’t the flashiest receiver out there, but per Brugler, he should have a high floor. Brugler says Bernard, his 41st-ranked prospect, “has a well-rounded, pro-ready skill set, with the frame, ball skills and smooth athleticism to be a dependable target. He projects as a starting Z receiver and as an NFL team’s second or third option.” Brugler also gives Bernard high marks for running with toughness over the middle while standing out as one of the most competitive run blockers in his class. Fun fact about Bernard from Brugler: Bernard was nicknamed “Uncle Germ” by his Alabama teammates because of his leadership and experience as a senior wideout. Just a good football player, with a well-rounded, pro-ready skill set. Much like Tyson, Bell could be seen as a worthy gamble … if the Chiefs are convinced his medicals will check out. Bell, who ranks 47th in “The Beast,” enters the 2026 draft while still rehabbing after having surgery in December to repair a torn ACL. According to Brugler, Bell is “still rough around the edges in several areas, but he is big, strong and explosive — and it is hard to find those guys, especially with Bell’s receiving talent. An ACL injury complicates his draft grade, but he earned an NFL starter projection when healthy.” Other strengths for Bell, per Brugler, are his ability to run after catch and make difficult grabs over the middle. Fun fact about Bell from Brugler: Bell’s ACL surgery shares many similarities with Mahomes’. The operation was on the same knee (left), in the same city (Dallas), performed by the same doctor (Dan Cooper) and completed in the same month (December 2025). A rare NFL combination: big, strong and explosive. Should start when he’s healthy. Spot the pattern. Connect the terms Find the hidden link between sports terms Jesse Newell is a staff writer for The Athletic covering the NFL's Kansas City Chiefs. Before joining The Athletic, Jesse worked as a staff writer for the Kansas City Star, Topeka Capital-Journal and Lawrence Journal-World while covering the Chiefs and University of Kansas Athletics. Jesse has won an EPPY for best sports blog and previously has been named top beat writer in his circulation by AP’s Sports Editors. He is originally from Emporia, Kansas. Follow Jesse on Twitter @jessenewell