The Kansas City Chiefs have had numerous storylines so far this offseason, mostly led by trying to find improvements for an offensive line that left three-time Super Bowl MVP Patrick Mahomes scrambling for his life in the 2024 campaign.
Wide receiver issues plagued the organization as well, though injuries to Rashee Rice and Marquise ‘Hollywood’ Brown made the position a larger problem than it probably should’ve been.
Fortunately, one undrafted wideout has stood out so far during rookie camp and OTAs. While it’ll be a long shot for this player to make the roster despite his strong efforts, his efforts at camp could put a fan favorite on the chopping block.
Elijhah Badger averaged 20 yards-per-catch last year and is one of our UDFA’s to watch. pic.twitter.com/saAACX6YHb
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Chiefs UDFA WR Elijhah Badger Could Put Nikko Remigio on Chopping Block
The Chiefs acquired former Arizona State and Florida standout receiver Elijhah Badger in an undrafted deal, and he looks like he could fill the same type of role that playoff hero Marquez Valdes-Scantling once did.
Badger had three years in college with over 700 receiving yards and scored 17 total touchdowns. He averaged 20.4 yards per catch during his final season and led the Pac-12 in kick return yards in 2023 with 578. That’s particularly important because beloved fellow former undrafted wideout Nikko Remigio brings a lot of value on special teams. If Badger could prove to be a worthwhile return man, it’s easy to imagine him replacing Remigio while getting a few deep shots per game on offense as well.
Remigio, Skyy Moore, Tyquan Thornton, Justyn Ross, and Badger figure to battle it out for the final receiver spots. Badger is firmly in the rear, but that could change quickly if he has a strong camp.
“(Badger) was one of just five FBS receivers to average more than 20 yards-per-reception in 2024, and he didn’t record a single drop on 61 targets,” writes Chiefs reporter Matt McMullen. “Badger, who checks in at 6-foot-1 and 200 pounds, also showed off good speed at the NFL Scouting Combine with a 4.43 40-yard dash. Additionally, 82.5% of his receptions last season resulted in either a first down or a touchdown.”
That sounds like the kind of encouraging player who could turn into a diamond in the rough. There’s almost always at least one undrafted free agent who surprisingly makes the team, and Badger may represent that in 2025. Should that happen, Remigio needs to be watching over his shoulder.
