Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs have had a clear weakness on the roster for the past two seasons. The wide receiver group took a substantial hit when Tyreek Hill was traded to the Miami Dolphins, and since 2024, they haven’t been able to find a true No. 1 to lead the group.
As the offense welcomes Eric Bieniemy back to the fold and Patrick Mahomes returns from a torn ACL, one sleeper who could become an important piece for the Chiefs is actually a late-round rookie, and Mahomes is pretty impressed with what he’s seen so far.
Cyrus Allen Impressing Patrick Mahomes in Training Camp
Allen could be the next best thing to emerge as a late-round steal for the Chiefs. In the past, players such as Tyreek Hill, Damien Williams and Isiah Pacheco became key contributors to their Super Bowl victories despite none being drafted on the first two days. The trend could continue with the Cincinnati alum.
According to Tyrann Mathieu, who played with Mahomes from 2019 to 2021, the quarterback is very happy with what he’s seen from the young receiver so far, and the coaches are also impressed by his practices during camp.
“One of our homegrown kids, Cyrus Allen, has taken it by storm. Pat loves him, coaches love him. He was banged up a little bit, so he didn’t really practice while I was there, but me and him had a bunch of conversations, and he asked all the right questions, too”, said Mathieu.
Tyrann Mathieu is LOVING what he’s seeing from Chiefs rookie Cyrus Allen 👀
“He’s taken it by storm, bro. Like, Pat Mahomes loves him, coaches love him… Me and him had a bunch of conversations, and he asked all the right questions.” pic.twitter.com/66ogL45RTD
— In The Bayou With Tyrann Mathieu (@InTheBayouPod) August 12, 2026
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Reports coming from the Chiefs’ camp have been very positive about his impact so far. There’s more than enough space in the Chiefs’ wide receiving group for someone to emerge as a true No. 1, and Allen could be a dark horse during the season. With Rashee Rice and Xavier Worthy reeling from difficult seasons, the door is wide open for Allen to take on the role of the top dog.
Allen was a fifth-round pick, like Hill in 2016, but at the time, Hill dealt with off-field questions that hurt his stock. Another superstar wide receiver taken in the fifth round of the draft was Puka Nacua from the Los Angeles Rams, who finished No. 1 in our PFN WR Impact Metric in 2025.
In 2025, playing for Cincinnati, Allen had 674 yards and 13 touchdowns in 13 games. With the Chiefs looking to improve their receiving group, it might not be a superstar name who propels them to greater heights again.
