The influx of several draft choices is going to create increased competition on every roster about the National Football League this summer, and the Kansas City Chiefs are no exception. Not only did general manager Brett Veach select seven players in the 2025 NFL Draft, but several more came on board the offseason 90-man roster as rookie free agents.
The incoming talent is exciting to watch, and hungry young prospects will be doing all they can to push veterans out of their current spots.
While some players are obvious candidates on the Chiefs' roster bubble, the incoming draft class will also generate some important battles at other spots where playing time is at stake for other young players.
Let's take a look at three spots where the roster spot is likely safe but the new rookie class could make life a lot tougher anyway.
Felix Anudike-Uzomah
Felix Anudike-Uzomah was already facing more scrutiny and pressure than ever before coming into the 2025 campaign. The former first-round choice in the 2023 NFL Draft had his rookie season to adjust to the speed of the NFL and the level of competition. He then had a second season to develop with a full year of training and chemistry.
This should be the breakout campaign for Anudike-Uzomah, if there's going to be one, but the Chiefs aren't shy about allowing the increased competition to press him even further.
The Chiefs not only brought back Charles Omenihu in free agency, but they also sunk an early third-round choice from the Tennessee Titans (thanks, L'Jarius) in Louisville prospect Ashton Gillotte. Combined with George Karlaftis, Mike Danna, and Malik Herring, there are a lot of players fighting for what reps they can get—and that doesn't include other fringe roster players or the occasional choice to slide Chris Jones outside.
No one is saying Anudike-Uzomah's roster spot is in danger, but Gillotte is experienced and productive enough to be potentially a three-down player off the bat. He's already a solid run defender with proven pass-rushing chops, so the Chiefs are going to make room for him. How much time he sees is partially up to FAU's ability to step up in the face of stiffer competition.
Jared Wiley
Jared Wiley is an interesting player coming into the 2025 season for the Chiefs' offense as a former fourth-round pick who has yet to really showcase what he can do on the field. Wiley earned only 94 total offensive snaps last season in 7 games before suffering a season-ending injury.
Coming into year two, Wiley is not only hoping to be at full strength when it matters, but he has new competition to stave off. The Chiefs signed veteran Robert Tonyan, and they also gave a decent bonus to undrafted rookie Jake Briningstool. Baylor Cupp and Anthony Firkser are also on the roster.
Wiley should still be the heavy favorite to be TE3 but being behind a season doesn't help, and the door is open here for Briningstool to surprise. It's also possible Brett Veach makes a move before the season starts as he did last year for Peyton Hendershon in a preseason trade with the Dallas Cowboys.
Nikko Remigio
Nikko Remigio's ascent up the depth chart has been a heartening storyline for the former Fresno State star—a player who has worked hard in the preseason to not only stick around as an undrafted player but to earn a spot on the active roster as an integral part of the team's special teams.
Last year's impressive exhibition as a returner in the postseason seemed to bode well for his chances to lock down the role for a full season in 2025 for Dave Toub and the Chiefs. However, Brett Veach decided to invest in some more strong candidates for the team's returner roles in 2025.
Seventh-round running back Brashard Smith was a very good returner at Miami and SMU, while fourth-round pick Jalen Royals also brings experience as a kick returner from Utah State. Undrafted free agent Mac Dalena is an underrated gem who is looking to turn heads the way Remigio did two years ago.
Remigio should still be the favorite but the heat is on in the return game for the Chiefs.