2025 Rookie Profile: WR Jalen Royals (Fantasy Football)

Every draft class has that guy. The one with the wild journey. The one nobody wanted… until everybody does. In 2025, that guy might just be Jalen Royals. His story might be my favorite in this year’s draft class. Out of high school, he was a 0-star recruit with no D1 offers. His grades weren’t the best, and honestly, football wasn’t his only focus. He was juggling track and basketball as well. Instead of heading straight to some big-time program, Royals took the long road and enrolled at Georgia Military College – a community college. As a freshman in 2021, he logged seven catches for 92 yards and 2 TDs. Nothing wild, but every story’s gotta start somewhere.

Where does it go next? With no guarantees, he and his family made the cross-country trek from Georgia to Utah to attend Utah State’s camp. Royals didn’t just show up; he stole the show, recording a blazing 4.32 40-yard dash. For context, Xavier Worthy’s record-shattering 40 time was 4.21. He earned a scholarship and a spot on the Utah State roster, where he would lead the team in receiving yards in both 2023 and 2024 and broke the single-season TD record. Fast forward to 2025, and the kid who started with nothing is now generating serious Day 2 draft buzz. From community college to an NFL prospect.

Editor’s Note: This article is part of our Rookie Profile series going on until the 2025 NFL Draft. For more on each rookie, check out Andy, Mike, and Jason’s exclusive rookie rankings and production profiles found only in the Dynasty Pass, part of the UDK+ for 2025.

College Production

Royals’ first year at Utah State? Dead silent. He didn’t record a single stat. Year 2, however, was a whole different story. In 2023, Royals exploded when he was given the opportunity. If you look at his game log, you’ll see the steady rise of Royals.

Weeks 1-4? Solid – about 49 yards per game.

Weeks 5-9? Absolute liftoff – averaging 127 yards per game.

By season’s end, Royals became just the 13th player in Utah State history to top 1,000 receiving yards, and he didn’t stop there. He smashed the school record for single-season receiving TDs with 15. He led the team in receiving yards in 2023 and 2024, averaging 15.2 yards per catch across those seasons. And even though his 2024 campaign got cut short by a foot injury, Royals still put up a ridiculous 55 catches for 834 yards and 6 TDs in just seven games. He earned back-to-back All-Mountain West honors in 2023 and 2024.

Despite the foot injury, Jalen Royals arrived at the Senior Bowl in Mobile and immediately reminded scouts why he should be on their radar. His polished route-running, sudden releases, and dependable hands were on display. And this clip of Royals putting a defender flat on his back? Unforgettable.

GROWN MAN STRENGTH!

Jalen Royals is winning multiple ways at the @SeniorBowl! pic.twitter.com/klGZ7piTbP

— Fantasy Points (@FantasyPts) January 29, 2025

Measurables

Jalen Royals brings solid, well-rounded measurables to the table for a WR. At 205 pounds, he’s built sturdy, but don’t let that fool you; he can move. His 40-yard dash time lands in the 89th percentile, showcasing elite top-end speed for his size. Royals was a multi-sport athlete in high school, competing in basketball and track and field, and he earned all-state honors as a high jumper. That athletic background definitely shows up on his tape.

What’s On Tape

Games viewed: UConn (2023), Boise (2023), Temple (2024), Boise (2024), New Mexico (2024)

1. Elite Route Running
His routes are sharp and creative, and he’s got that little extra sauce at the top of breaks to shake DBs. Royals’ basketball days show up on the football field – he’s got a little crossover energy to his game. His acceleration and short-area burst make him a nightmare on slants, crossers, and digs. He knows how to manipulate leverage. If you need proof, pull up the UConn tape. Royals absolutely cooked their secondary for 3 TDs, and his 67-yard score was downright disrespectful. Once the ball’s in his hands? He doesn’t waste time. He’s decisive, tough, and plenty fast enough to turn short catches into chunk plays. The word that comes to mind to describe his game is elusive.

I see a whole lot of Rashee Rice in Jalen Royals’ game.

A dynamic playmaker with the speed to take the top off a defense and the elusiveness to turn a simple slant into a touchdown.

My favorite “sleeper” @ WR in this year’s class.

pic.twitter.com/23v1Ya94r2

— Joe Beldner (@JoeBeldner) February 5, 2025

2. Ball Skills & Body Control
This dude makes some ridiculous catches. Sideline toe-taps, contested grabs, adjusting mid-air – he’s got real WR1-level ball skills. Royals is a strong, sure-handed receiver who always fights for extra yardage. He consistently adjusts his frame to off-target throws, making difficult catches look effortless. He’s got excellent ball-tracking skills. In 2024, he had six games with a catch over 50 yards. He plucks the ball out of the air.

JALEN ROYALS WITH THE ONE-HANDED SNAG

WHAT A PLAY

(via @CBSSportsCFB)
pic.twitter.com/ImVLvdXoH8

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) September 14, 2024

3. Red Zone Weapon
Royals found the end zone 21 times in his last 20 college games- that kind of says it all. He knows how to get open near the goal line. Whether it’s slipping into space against zone or going up to snag a jump ball, he makes it look easy when it matters most.

4. Strong Work Ethic
Walk-on mentality with legit production growth every year. In 2023, he had a 34.5% target share. That’s in the 97th percentile. The arrow is pointing way up, and I like to bet on dudes who had to earn it. 

5. YAC
One of the most dangerous receivers after the catch in this class, Royals averaged an impressive 7.9 yards after the catch per reception. In just seven games in 2024, he forced 17 missed tackles and piled up 436 yards after the catch- a testament to his burst, toughness, and creativity. He’s not afraid to get physical when needed.

Jalen Royals (WR | Utah State) will make an impact from day one in the #NFL.

A true playmaker with great YAC ability, he attacks the ball at any point and converts 60% of contested catches.

I wouldn’t be surprised to see him go late on Day 1. Seriously underrated. pic.twitter.com/yvua0Uvduk

— Álvaro Fraile (@yankeealvaro) March 2, 2025

6. Versatility
Royals lined up all over the field at Utah State. He stretched the field as a deep threat, created separation underneath, and racked up YAC with his speed and vision. Royals is also a willing blocker and does the dirty work without hesitation, embodying a team-first mentality that shows up both on and off the ball. Royals flashed potential as a returner at Utah State, showcasing the speed, agility, and vision. He’s an intriguing option for NFL teams looking to add versatility.

What’s Not On Tape

1. Durability
Royals suffered a season-ending foot injury in 2024, cutting short an impressive campaign in which he had already amassed 55 receptions for 834 yards and 6 TDs in just seven games. Despite the setback, the injury is not expected to significantly impact his pre-draft process, especially after he performed well after the injury during Senior Bowl week and the Combine.

2. Limited Experience
Limited sample size is the biggest knock on Royals. His breakout didn’t come until year three, and his senior season got cut short with a foot injury, so we’re only working with 21 games of meaningful production. On top of that, he didn’t face top-tier competition every week in the Mountain West. There will be a learning curve at the next level, and beating NFL corners consistently might take some time. Expect some early bumps as he adjusts to the pros.

Fantasy Outlook

Jalen Royals is one of those under-the-radar prospects who could end up being a sneaky Dynasty value, especially if he lands in the right situation. Right now, the Buffalo Bills are the only team that’s hosted him on a Top 30 visit, and that’s interesting when you consider how Joe Brady could deploy a player like him. Royals brings 4.42 speed to the table, with the kind of versatility that allows him to line up both outside and in the slot when needed. He has the explosiveness to stretch the field and the short-area quickness to win at the first two levels. For a team like Buffalo, surrounding Josh Allen with reliable, versatile weapons makes a ton of sense, and Royals could quietly be a great value if he lands there.

I’d also love to see him land with a WR-needy team like the Patriots, Panthers, Packers, Seahawks, and Cowboys. Most mock drafts have Royals going on Day 2 or early Day 3, and he’s been compared to guys like Jayden Reed and Michael Gallup. With only two real college seasons under his belt, he’s still a bit of a project, but there’s a clear ceiling to chase. He’s the kind of late-round rookie pick you stash and wait on in Dynasty formats. If the landing spot and development timeline align, he could absolutely work his way into a flex-worthy role down the line.