Should I Start Jalen Royals?

Tuesday, November 10, 5:30 PM

Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Jalen Royals caught two passes for 18 yards in a Week 9 win over the New York Jets. He has tallied eight total receptions (on 14 targets) for 63 yards (7.9 yards per reception) and one touchdown in 2026. In terms of targets, Royals has worked behind tight ends Travis Kelce and Noah Gray, running backs Kenneth Walker III and Emmett Johnson and wide receivers Rashee Rice and Xavier Worthy (hamstring) this season. Things didn't get any clearer for Royals on Tuesday, as the Chiefs traded the Indianapolis Colts for wideout Josh Downs ahead of the trade deadline. There is a chance that Royals could see a slight uptick in opportunities in a Week 10 matchup against the Atlanta Falcons, with Worthy dealing with a hamstring issue and being considered "day-to-day," and Downs needing to get acclimated to his new team and playbook. However, Royals is currently rostered in 0% of Yahoo leagues and ranks as RotoBaller's No. 98 wide receiver for Week 10 (half-PPR). He is way off the fantasy radar, and there is probably no need to add him until he proves he can be productive.