Top 10 Prospects Under 25: Kansas City Chiefs
The Chiefs were hard at work this offseason in an attempt to get back to the playoffs in 2026.
*Doc Talk — How To Break Into eSports — August 10 [Free Zoom Session]
NFL ARCHIVES || AFCE: BUF | MIA | NE | NYJ || AFCN: BAL | CIN | CLE | PIT || AFCS: HOU | IND | JAX | TEN || AFCW: DEN
The Kansas City Chiefs failed to qualify for the playoffs last season for the first time since 2014, snapping their streak of nine straight AFC West divisional crowns. Chiefs general manager Brett Veach and head coach Andy Reid wasted little time re-loading for the 2026 campaign.
While many organizations seek to address offseason moves via free agency, Kansas City utilized the NFL Draft to stockpile immediate impact players. Most notable, the team traded up in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft to select Mansoor Delane (pic: Chiefs), the consensus top cornerback in this year’s class. A true lockdown corner, Delane is expected to assume CB1 duties.
The Chiefs utilized their second Day 1 pick (acquired from the Rams for Trent McDuffie) on defensive tackle Peter Woods. His presence alongside All Pro Chris Jones will need to be accounted for by opponents, while second round pick R Mason Thomas provides some much needed pass-rush help at defensive end, opposite of George Karlaftis.
In what might be viewed as an offseason youth movement, Kansas City also landed some developmental prospects from this past year’s draft who could make an impact in the near future. Once considered a first round pick, the Chiefs nabbed LSU quarterback Garrett Nussmeier in the final round of the draft. They also selected explosive runner Emmett Johnson, despite signing Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker III in free agency.
Additionally, Kansas City brought in some top undrafted free agent talent such as lengthy, speedy wideout Jeff Caldwell and John Michael Gyllenborg, a potential successor to future Hall of Fame tight end Travis Kelce. Not bad, for a turn and burn of the bottom of the roster.
*All Access: Keep reading for the Top 10 Chiefs prospects under the age of 25.
