The Kansas City Chiefs had their first preseason game of 2026 on Saturday, losing 20-12 to the Los Angeles Rams. Wins and losses in the preseason don't matter in the long run, unless we're talking about the players who were winners or losers in the game. While you always want the proven starters/contributors to look good in the preseason, the players with the most on the line are those with absolutely no guarantee of landing a job on the 53-man roster.
While there are always exceptions, teams generally give the benefit of the doubt to players that they've invested draft picks or free agent contracts in. So undrafted players have to go above and beyond to prove that they deserve a roster spot over those players that the team has invested more in. In the Chiefs' first preseason game, several undrafted players helped themselves, but three are worth mentioning above the rest.
Before we get to those three players, a quick acknowledgment of undrafted rookie tackle Kahill Benson. Benson is actually the undrafted player who has received the most attention during training camp because he's been a fixture on the starting offensive line either at right tackle or right guard. He wasn't included on this list because it is clear at this point that he is already a lock to make the roster compared to the players below, for whom that is still to be determined.
The undrafted Chiefs that proved they have a shot to make the team
Andrew Armstrong - Wide Receiver
Going into training camp, there was little to no buzz around Armstrong. After going undrafted in 2025, he spent time with both the Miami Dolphins and Detroit Lions before getting a shot this offseason with the Chiefs. However, Armstrong has not only been making some highlight-reel plays in camp, but has also been getting some reps with the starters when KC has had some of its bigger-name receivers sitting out with injuries.
Armstrong made a nice 17-yard catch-and-run from Justin Fields on the 2nd drive of the game on Saturday. However, it may be another trait that he displayed on a few different plays that could earn him that final receiver spot if he keeps producing. Check out the block that Armstrong puts on the defensive back below (shared by former Chiefs right tackle Mitchell Schwartz).
Wide Receiver LAUNCH of the DB!! Love these pic.twitter.com/2m4vdzKGCG
— Mitchell Schwartz (@MitchSchwartz71) August 15, 2026
Listed at 6-foot-4 and 210 pounds, Armstrong may be the most physically imposing receiver on KC's roster. He clearly has the strength and attitude to play on special teams (which is essential for the final wide receiver spot) and could also help the Chiefs establish the run (assuming that is still a priority this season).
Jake Briningstool - Tight End
Briningstool went undrafted out of Clemson last season, but landed on the Chiefs' practice squad. Briningstool now is competing with former draft pick Jared Wiley and another undrafted player, Tre Watson, for KC's third tight end spot. Travis Kelce is clearly the starter, and for the time being, Noah Gray is locked into the #2 spot. That final spot appears to be wide open (if the Chiefs don't go looking for a tight end elsewhere).
This is probably a spot where Briningstool will have to clearly outperform Jared Wiley if he wants to take his roster spot since Wiley was a 4th-round pick just two seasons ago. Briningstool had 3 receptions (tied for the team lead) on Saturday, totaling 29 yards. Wiley had just one grab for 9 yards. While both Briningstool and Wiley are leaner, more athletic tight ends, Briningstool also looks more comfortable blocking (although he is still a better pass catcher than blocker). Plus, with Kelce out on Saturday, Briningstool did get some reps (and one of his catches) with Justin Fields and the "starters."
Melvin Smith - Cornerback
Some fans may have already been aware of Andrew Armstrong and Jake Briningstool if they've been following training camp closely, but Melvin Smith is a relative unknown to most fans. Smith is another player who went undrafted in 2025 and is now fighting for a roster spot in a crowded cornerback room. With Mansoor Delane, Nohl Williams, L'Jarius Sneed, Kristian Fulton, Jadon Canady, Chris Roland-Wallace, and Kader Kohou all competing for roles with the team, it doesn't seem like there would be room for Smith.
However, if you were paying attention on Saturday (and at several camp practices), Smith has actually received first-string reps ahead of many of the previously listed names. Of particular note was that Smith played ahead of Kristian Fulton on Saturday, with Fulton playing much later into the game. Another advantage that Smith has is that he is also a regular part of the special teams units. The last corner on the roster is going to have to play special teams, and if he's in better standing with Dave Toub than Fulton is, then it's possible that Smith still has a shot.
So what do you think, Chiefs fans? Do you agree that these three undrafted players all showed reason to believe they could make the Chiefs' roster on Saturday? Do you think there's another undrafted player that stood out more or has an even better chance (besides Kahill Benson)? It will be interesting to see if these three can come through with another strong performance this week when the Chiefs head to Tampa to take on the Buccaneers.
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