Alert for Jalen Royals: Chiefs rookie could be a fantasy football gem in deep leagues if Rashee Rice misses time

When you listen to the Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator talk about Jalen Royals, you realize that the fourth-round pick from Utah State has everything a player needs to be a productive sleeper

And this is important for the Chiefs, because there is still doubt about the health of Rashee Rice, who has already missed a lot of time through injury and it is not known if this year he will play more than expected and be a sensation in your fantasy

Jalen Royals will be key for the Chiefs

Ryne Nutt, the Chiefs’ director of player personnel, does not mince words: “His game is very similar to Raashee’s. He has big hands, strong hands and is very good after the catch. The [run after catch] is a big part of our offense.”In 2023, Royals was one of the most dominant receivers in the NCAA:

1. 71 receptions.
2. 1,080 yards
3. 15 touchdowns, including a three-game streak of elite production (7/185/3, 6/140/2, 7/125/2)
4. Last season, despite missing five games through injury, he came back on fire: four consecutive games with more than 100 yards and multiple touchdowns,
5. He averaged 15.2 yards per reception in his college career.

H2 What are Kansas City looking for in Jalen Royal?

Although Rice is the projected WR1 and is expected to return

“He got the ability to impact right away. The ability to gain yards after the catch stood out during his three years at Utah State. He can separate on short and intermediate routes, and has a ton of versatility.”

Greg Castillo, scout regional del oeste, de los Chiefs

That versatility – the ability to beat the press coverage or simply run over the opponent – makes him an intriguing sleeper. And in fantasy, where opportunity weighs almost as much as talent, a WR with that profile in Kansas City is impossible to ignore.

Nutt detailed the checklist that convinced them: “We look for speed, and the guy ran the 40 yards in 4.40. We look for strength, and he has it. Then we look at the running, and there maybe Rashee had to develop a little bit, so we thought they were similar in that regard”.

The scouting process was methodical: they saw him before the Senior Bowl, they liked him. At the Senior Bowl, he grew on the radar. At the Combine, he exploded with a 36-inch jump and an elite time. Then, Zoom meetings and the feeling that he was “the guy”to add to Patrick Mahomes’ arsenal.

In fantasy football, Royal is a good option

Attentive managers will know that while Royals is not to be taken high in redraft, he does have value as a stash in deep leagues or dynasty. If Rice loses snaps – either through relapses or offensive adjustments – Royals could see unexpected volume in a system that turns agile, physical receivers into lethal weapons.

“When the ball is in his hands, he can run right over you,” Castillo said. In fantasy, that translates into points… and potential draft steals.