r/KansasCityChiefs

Italics Signifies Rookie. * indicates UDFA

OFFENSE

Position	Starter	2nd String	3rd String	4th String
QB	Patrick Mahomes	Justin Fields	Garrett Nussmeier
RB	Kenneth Walker	Emmett Johnson	Brashard Smith	Emari Demarcado
TE	Travis Kelce	Noah Gray	Jared Wiley	John Michael Gyllenborg*
LT	Josh Simmons	Jaylon Moore	Esa Pole
LG	Kingsley Suamatia	C.J. Hanson
C	Creed Humphrey	Hunter Nourzad
RG	Trey Smith	Mike Caliendo
RT	Jaylon Moore	Wanya Moris	Godrick Chukwuebuka
WR-X	Tyquan Thornton	Jaylen Royals	Jeff Caldwell*
WR-Z	Xavier Worthy	Nikko Remigigo
WR-Slot	Rashee Rice	Cyrus Allen

So not a significant change up here, as expected. I think they will carry 3 QBs this year, as they used draft capital to get both Fields and Nussmeier.

I think Emmett Johnson should slot in as RB2 right away behind Walker. Frankly I think he's perfect for what we do on offense. He's not a home run hitter (Not a ton of 50+ yard runs, but plenty of 30-40 yarders) but he's shifty and has great vision, and more importantly, he's a fantastic receiver out of the backfield.

Even though Smith and Demarcado have more experience and are quicker, I think Johnson is the best runningback besides Walker, if that makes sense. He also has the longest contract of anyone in that room, since he'll be starting his four year rookie deal, so I imagine they'll want to get as much as they can out of him. I imagine he'd be in line for the lead back role if Walker ever got injured.

No changes on the offensive line, which does surprise me a bit. I would have thought they would have taken an offensive lineman at least as a developmental guy, but I think they really like Esa Pole and Godrick. I think the biggest liability continues to be RG2, but we'll see.

As far as receiver goes, the specific roles don't matter as much, because Andy rotates all of the guys, but I think it's very easy to see where Allen fits in. I am a firm believer in Jalen Royals still, I think under new coaching and actually seeing the field, he'll have a chance to show people what he can do. Caldwell, I think he has a strong chance to make the roster here. The athletic profile is insane, obviously, and there isn't a ton of resistance at the back end of the receiver room. Doesn't mean I think he'll see the field a lot, because he would be clearly at the back of that group, but similar to Justyn Ross I think he'll have a real shot at being in the room and potentially getting into a couple of games.

DEFENSE

Position	Starter	2nd String	3rd String	4th String
LDE	George Karlaftis	Felix Anudike-Uzomah	Vincent Anthony Jr*
LDT	Chris Jones	Omar Norman-Lott	Zacch Pickens
RDT	Khyiris Tonga	Peter Woods
RDE	Ashton Gillotte	R Mason Thomas
MLB	Nick Bolton	Jeffrey Bassa	Cooper McDonald
WLB	Drue Tranquil	Jack Cochrane
LCB	Mansoor Delane	Kristian Fulton
RCB	Nohl Williams	Kaiir Elam
Nickel CB/Slot CB	Kader Kohou	Jadon Canady
SS	Chammari Conner	Jaden Hicks	Xavier Nwankpa*
FS	Alohi Gilman	Chris Roland-Wallace

A lot more changes on defense right away. Monsoor Delane slots into one of the starting corner slots right away opposite Nohl Williams. I did label Kader Kohou as the starter here, but I think there's a very real chance for Canady to start over him (maybe not right away, but very soon). I'm only giving the nod to Kohou for veteran experience for now.

Still don't feel the best about the edge group. Karlaftis and Gillotte still feel like they slot in as the two main starters there for now, as someone who can set the edge on run downs. R Mason Thomas will likely come in on pass rush downs, and he adds a lot of speed to that room that should be a nice change of pace compared to guys we have had before.

If FAU doesn't pan out this off-season I think he's a very easy cut candidate, but if he does work out he will probably be in a similar role. Otherwise, I see them looking towards a veteran on a cheaper deal (perhaps bringing back Mike Danna). I would still like to see another addition here though (Cam Jordan???). It's worth noting we also tend to put Chris Jones on the edge on passing downs.

The IDL group I think it's hard not to feel good about right now. I mean that is a beast of a 4 man rotation. I think even though the edge rotation still is shaky, you'll feel better about the ability of the guys they have in now to hold up if they rotate Chris Jones to the edge.

The safety room I feel really good about. Too many people I think are down on Conner because he was being played out of position last year (Nickel corner, when he is a true safety), or they simply did not pay attention to Alohi Gilman because he was on the Chargers and Ravens.

I really like Xavier Nwankpa. I think there's very little chance he doesn't make the roster. He was a five star out of high school, had a 9.95 RAS, and was super productive at Iowa. I am frankly floored this guy was a UDFA. I would've been really happy if we had taken him with a pick in the later rounds, but the fact that we got him as a UDFA is absolutely insane to me.

With the draft now complete, we see KC’s front office saw the defense as the side of the ball with the most need. Personally, I don’t hate that approach but the holes on the offense are still there. WR, 3rd down/change of pace/2nd RB, a good second TE/successor to when 87 actually retires, and possibly a RT depending on whether Moore or Morris steps up. Obviously, F/A can’t fix every hole/need KC needs but I believe there is still some actual quality, immediate impact, players available. Diggs, depending on legal issues, should be a Chief. He has a very big personality, yes, but if the coaching staff can get him to buy in 100%, he’s absolutely a dude you want on your team, and Deebo would be a good backup to him if he signs elsewhere. Njoku, who is somehow still a FA (I’m assuming because of the injury and drop to career lows in production last year), should at least be a possibility and thought for KC. Kelce is almost 100% certainly done after this year, and while no one can ever come in and replace his production, it would be great to find his replacement now. That would allow Kelce and Njoku a year of working together, with Kelce basically mentoring Njoku to step into TE1 next season. He will probably be a little too expensive for KC’s cap but it wouldn’t at least hurt to kick the tires. I don’t think the offense as presently constructed is bad, but once you get past the starters, the talent drop off is precipitous. They need depth, and that doesn’t have to be starter level players, but dudes like Hunt last year were incredibly vital to the team. Now that the draft is over, who do you think they should and who they will target?

I too am a little disappointed we didn't invest more in offense this draft, but I'm going to do a glass half full exercise to show why I still think it's improved with all the Free Agency and Coaching changes by comparing losses from last season to gains this season:

Who we lost from 2025: Matt Nagy, Conner Embree, Todd Pinkston, Jawaan Taylor, Hollywood Brown, Isiah Pacheco, Kareem Hunt (TBD), Juju Smith Schuster (TBD), Robert Tonyan, Gardner Minshew.

Who we gained in 2026: Eric Bienemy, Chad O'Shea, Demarco Murray, Kenneth Walker, Emmett Johnson, Cyrus Allen, Emari Demarcado, Justin Fields, Garrett Nussmeier.

It's hard for me to look at those two lists and say the offense will be worse. Even if it's only slightly better, it has to be better.