Chiefs’ rookie mini-camp highlights include Cincinnati Bearcats wide receivers
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Cyrus Allen hauled in a tight-window dart from Garrett Nussmeier during rookie mini-camp.
- Jeff Caldwell ran down a deep sideline pass for a big gain on the same day.
- Allen was a 5th-round pick at No. 176; Caldwell is in KC as an undrafted free agent.
On successive plays at Chiefs rookie mini-camp on Friday, new receiver Cyrus Allen hauled in a tight-window dart over the middle from fellow draft pick Garrett Nussmeier; not long after, Jeff Caldwell ran down a sideline pass for a big gain.
It might as well have been last fall, when Allen and Caldwell were the starting wide receivers for the Cincinnati Bearcats. The tandem combined for 83 receptions and 19 touchdowns at Travis Kelce’s alma mater.
In fact, Allen led the Big 12 and set a school record with 13 receiving touchdowns.
Allen joined the Chiefs first, before Caldwell, but only by a few hours. Allen was selected in the fifth round, No. 176 overall, in the 2026 NFL Draft last Saturday, April 25.
Caldwell was signed later in the day as an undrafted free agent. And Allen was thrilled.
“I was like amazed that he got signed here,” Allen said. “It’s like, let’s go back to work.”
Allen and Caldwell landed at Cincinnati through the transfer portal. Allen started his college career with two seasons at Louisiana Tech before transferring to Texas A&M in 2024. Then he landed in Cincinnati, where he was second-team All-Big 12 last season.
The 5-foot-11, 180-pound Allen, who played primarily out of the slot at Cincinnati, is known for his burst and ability to separate. He had just one drop last season and solidified his draft stock with an excellent Senior Bowl.
Caldwell started his college career at Lindenwood, near St. Louis. He improved in each of his three seasons there, eventually becoming a finalist for the Walter Payton Award — given annually to the top offensive player in FCS.
At the next level, Caldwell had his moments — like a one-handed, over-the-shoulder grab against Bowling Green and a two-touchdown performance against UCF.
But the upside is in his athleticism. The 6-5, 218-pound Caldwell ran an NFL Scouting Combine-best 1.48-second 10-yard split. And his 40 time of 4.31, 42-inch vertical and 11-2 broad jump ranked in the top four among receivers in Indy.
Before the draft, Louis Riddick, an ESPN analyst and former pro personnel director for two teams, flashed a spotlight on Caldwell with social media post.
“Please please please let @GoBearcatsFB WR Jeff Caldwell get drafted by a team with a good WR room/WR coach and good QB. He is going to BLOW UP if so…. “ Riddick tweeted.
The early returns are positive.
“Jeff is a dawg. He’s talented,” Allen said “I’m excited he’s here with me.