Carnell Tate is positioned as the ideal receiver for Patrick Mahomes after recent setbacks

The Kansas City Chiefs missed the playoffs for the first time in over a decade, leavingPatrick Mahomeswithout consistent support at wide receiver, and reports indicate the team is targeting an elite pass-catcher to revitalize their offense.

Mahomes enters the 2026 season coming off his first losing record, a significant injury, and a playoff absence, while two of his most experienced wideouts, Marquise "Hollywood" Brown and JuJu Smith-Schuster, are set to enter free agency.

This leaves Rashee Rice and Xavier Worthy as Mahomes' top two receivers, not to mention ongoing uncertainty surrounding Travis Kelce's future, which has prompted the Chiefs to consider adding a highly polished, versatile wideout in the upcoming draft.

ESPN's Jordan Reid predicts Kansas City will use the ninth overall pick on Ohio State's Carnell Tate, who set career highs in 2025 with 875 yards and nine touchdowns, showcasing speed, route precision, and elite hands that could complement Mahomes immediately.

"Tate is a silky-smooth route runner who has plenty of range as a pass catcher," Reid said. "He also has arguably the best hands in this class, with only one drop on 67 targets last season.

"He is a three-level threat who displays his polish on all branches of the route tree. ... Tate reminds me of DeVonta Smith in body type and how they win routes."

Kansas City currently has only two receivers under contract beyond 2026 - Xavier Worthy and Jalen Royals - and Tate, projected as the first wideout off the board, perfectly fits the team's offensive philosophy and Mahomes' need for a reliable secondary threat.

Tate helped lead Ohio State to a 2024 national championship and set career highs in 2025, showing consistent ability to stretch the field vertically while winning contested passes and creating explosive plays.

But with the Washington Commanders holding the seventh overall pick, the Chiefs face the risk of missing out on Tate, which could force them to explore alternative options or trade up if they hope to land the receiver Mahomes needs to regain peak offensive efficiency.

Could the Chiefs sign Kenneth Walker III?

Besides wide receiver, Mahomes faces uncertainty at running back, as both Isiah Pacheco and Kareem Hunt will enter free agency, prompting speculation that the team may pursue Seattle's Kenneth Walker III, a dual-threat back who excels as a rusher and receiver.

Walker will hit free agency after Seattle declined to use their franchise tag, leaving the door open for Kansas City to negotiate, especially since the Seahawks are expected to prioritize retaining other key free agents, rather than allocating top salaries to Walker.

Despite Walker's Super Bowl LX 161-yard performance, Seattle's focus on maintaining their elite defense and managing cap space suggests he may test the market, giving the Chiefs a rare opportunity to secure an explosive, versatile weapon to pair with Mahomes.

"The Chiefs need not just a running back," Adam Schatz said to ESPN. "But [one] who can also serve as a receiving outlet for Patrick Mahomes.

"Walker had more than 1,000 rushing yards last season and 31 catches for 282 yards, an impressive 9.1 yards per reception.

"His ability to generate explosive plays could be a valuable part of lifting the Chiefs' offense back to the top of the league."