🚨 Chiefs warned against drafting WR at No. 9 amid troubling trend ⚡.DH

The Chiefs hold a top-10 pick.
They need receiver help.
History says that might be a trap.

Chiefs Must Avoid First-Round WR Mistake

Kansas City is staring at a pivotal decision with the No. 9 overall pick.

Wide receiver is an obvious need. The names are enticing — Makai Lemon, Carnell Tate, Jordyn Tyson. The buzz from the combine only amplified the conversation.

But history is flashing a warning sign.

The Corey Davis Reminder

In 2017, Tennessee drafted Corey Davis at No. 5 overall — five picks before the Chiefs selected Patrick Mahomes.

Davis was solid. Never elite.

Zero 1,000-yard seasons
Never started more than 12 games in a season
Fewer than three touchdowns per year on average

Two other wide receivers went top-10 that year — Mike Williams and John Ross.

Combined Pro Bowls among them?

Zero.

Meanwhile, Kansas City walked away with Mahomes at No. 10.

The Top-10 WR Trend Isn’t Great

Since 2017, 13 wide receivers have been drafted in the top 10.

Only two have made a Pro Bowl:

Ja’Marr Chase (5 selections)
Malik Nabers (1)

Chase is the exception. Not the rule.

Even talented players like:

Jaylen Waddle
Drake London
Marvin Harrison Jr.
Garrett Wilson
DeVonta Smith
Rome Odunze

…have experienced inconsistency, injury stretches, or failed to fully match draft hype.

That’s not to say they’re bad players.

But top-10 pick good? Franchise-altering good?

That’s rare.

The Mahomes Factor

Kansas City isn’t rebuilding.

They have Patrick Mahomes.

That changes the equation.

The Chiefs don’t need a “pretty good” receiver at No. 9.

They need either:

A true alpha difference-maker
Or a cornerstone at another premium position

If Lemon, Tate or Tyson aren’t projected to become Ja’Marr Chase-level players, using a top-10 pick on them could become a cautionary tale.

Even Chiefs History Says Be Careful

Kansas City hasn’t exactly nailed first-round receivers.

Dwayne Bowe (2007) — 1 Pro Bowl
Jonathan Baldwin (2011) — disappointment
Xavier Worthy (2024) — still developing

It’s a mixed bag at best.

Meanwhile, the Chiefs have consistently found value at other positions in Round 1 — or have traded strategically.

The Smarter Play?

History suggests this:

Address wide receiver in free agency
Target value in Rounds 2 and 3
Use the No. 9 pick on a more stable premium position (edge, offensive tackle, defensive tackle)

Wide receiver is important — but volatility at the top of the draft is real.

Kansas City can’t afford a luxury swing-and-miss.

Bottom Line

The Chiefs need help at wide receiver.

But the data says:
Top-10 wideouts are far from guaranteed.

If Brett Veach and company aren’t convinced one of these prospects is truly elite — generational elite — they should resist the temptation.

Because with Mahomes, the margin for error is smaller.

And a first-round miss lingers for years.