The Kansas City Chiefs are a team of big names and big stars. Players like Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce, Chris Jones, and Kenneth Walker frequently dominate the headlines. Then there are popular rookies whom fans get excited about. This season, that is a long list, including Mansoor Delane, Peter Woods, R Mason Thomas, Emmett Johnson, and Cyrus Allen. Finally, the positions where fans are worried about performance (like offensive tackle) get tons of headlines too. However, games are frequently won and lost because of the play of less-discussed players.
On a team quarterbacked by Patrick Mahomes and coached by Andy Reid, it's understandable that the offense would get discussed and analyzed more often than the defense. While the defense has a lot of popular players as well, you can make a strong argument that many of the defensive starters get discussed less than several offensive players who come off the bench. However, these lesser-known defensive players will make or break how successful the 2026 defense will be.
So before the Chiefs’ season kicks off next Monday night, here are five Chiefs who deserve more time in the spotlight than they have received this offseason.
1. Khyiris Tonga - Defensive Tackle
Last season, Derrick Nnadi played over 300 defensive snaps as a run-stopping defensive tackle for the Chiefs. Unfortunately, Nnadi totaled only eight run stops and earned a pathetic 46.1 Pro Football Focus run-defense grade despite playing as a run specialist. The Chiefs knew they needed to upgrade that spot, and former New England Patriot Khyiris Tonga was their solution.
While first-round pick Peter Woods has received 10 times as much publicity this offseason because of his pass-rush upside, it is actually Tonga who will likely see most of the playing time on early downs and in short-yardage situations. Having a defensive tackle on the roster with the size and power to succeed in that role will free up KC's more athletic players to fly to the ball and be more successful.
2. Alohi Gilman - Safety
The Chiefs’ other significant free-agent signing on defense was safety Alohi Gilman. While people still discuss KC's own draft pick Jaden Hicks significantly more, it will likely be Gilman who will be Steve Spagnuolo's quarterback of the secondary.
Whether it's been Tyrann Mathieu, Justin Reid, or Bryan Cook, Spagnuolo has always relied on a reliable, intelligent player at safety to keep his secondary lined up, often disguising his coverages from opposing quarterbacks. Despite a relatively quiet offseason, Gilman was signed to fill that role and will likely have a much bigger impact on game day than fans are discussing right now.
3. Felix Anudike-Uzomah - Defensive End
The Chiefs have the potential to have the ultimate redemption story this season if Felix Anudike-Uzomah can finally be a regular contributor to KC's defense. With the injury to Ashton Gillotte, there is a strong chance that FAU will be a regular part of the defensive-line rotation, both splitting time opposite George Karlaftis with rookie R Mason Thomas and kicking inside on some passing downs.
Anudike-Uzomah looked as good as he ever has during training camp and the preseason, and while he may never be a double-digit sack player, if he can be a strong edge run-stopper on early downs and provide some additional pressure on passing downs, he can still be a key player for the Chiefs this season.
4. Christian Roland-Wallace - Cornerback
The Chiefs signed a free-agent slot corner in Kader Kohou and then drafted another in Jadon Canady, but neither of those players could unseat Chris Roland-Wallace for the starting job during training camp and the preseason. The former undrafted free agent has slowly won over defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo. Entering his third season, he has earned a bigger role each year.
Last year, Roland-Wallace earned regular playing time and now looks poised to play regularly as both a nickel corner and safety. In his 190 defensive snaps last season, he was right there with Nohl Williams for both the best PFF coverage grade and the best PFF run-defense grade of any defensive back currently on the Chiefs’ roster. Chris Roland-Wallace may not get the same buzz as guys like Williams and rookie Mansoor Delane, but he's poised to be a huge part of KC's secondary this season.
5. Cooper McDonald and Jeffrey Bassa - Linebackers
The Chiefs have a pair of second-year linebackers who are poised to get regular playing time this season. If both Nick Bolton and Drue Tranquill are fully healthy, it could be that Cooper McDonald and Jeffrey Bassa will compete with each other for playing time as KC's third starting linebacker. However, they are suited to slightly different roles.
McDonald is more of a physical, run-stopping player, and Bassa has better sideline-to-sideline speed and coverage skills. So in situations where the Chiefs are looking to stop the run, McDonald may see more snaps, and if KC needs more help in coverage,it will likely be Bassa who gets the bigger role. Either way, these two will be regular contributors, and if they can team up to give KC what it needs against different matchups while also providing depth should Bolton or Tranquill miss time, it will be a real help for the defense.
So there you have it, Chiefs fans: the underrated players who will be the key to the Chiefs’ defense being successful this season. Monday night, when the Chiefs take the field against the Denver Broncos, these players will have their first test of the season and will be tasked with doing a lot of the dirty work that gives KC's bigger names the space they need to succeed. If that happens, this defense should keep the Broncos’ offense in check and make life easier for all the offensive stars who typically dominate the headlines. These players may not get that same attention, but if they help the Chiefs win, that will likely be all the satisfaction they need.
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