The Kansas City Chiefs have officially revealed their 53-man roster to start a new season (although things can and will change between now and Week 1), which means the practice squad is on the way. The Chiefs (and other teams) have 16 slots available to them to fill, with six of those available for veterans with any amount of experience.
Here's our best guess as to what the practice squad could resemble heading into the Chiefs' season-opening game against the Denver Broncos—presented in alphabetical order.
Predicting the Kansas City Chiefs initial practice squad
VJ Anthony, DE
Anthony earned a priority free agent deal after the draft, a nice find for the Chiefs given his history of making plays behind the line of scrimmage. Anthony had 29 tackles for loss and 15 sacks in his four seasons at Duke and is interesting enough as a lengthy pass rusher to stash for a while on the practice squad.
Kam Arnold, LB
The safety turned linebacker put up excellent pre-draft metrics as a prospect out of Boston College back in 2025. The Washington Commanders signed him as a rookie free agent but cut him loose. The Chiefs liked him and defensive tackle Marcus Harris in late-season tryouts and gave them both futures deals. He's a good bet to stick around as special teams insurance.
Jason Brownlee, WR
Good enough to separate himself from the truly fringe prospects yet not quite able to make the active roster. That makes Jason Brownlee an ideal target to keep on the practice squad in case of injuries. The big target put up some nice moments in the Chiefs' preseason, but unlike previous years (going back to his days with the New York Jets), Brownlee failed to position himself as a true camp sensation for the first time.
Cole Christensen, LB
The Chiefs have employed a number of interchangeable players like Cole Christensen in the last couple of years, fringe linebacker talents who excel as trusted special teamers for Dave Toub. Think Cam Jones or Jack Cochrane. Toub's going to want some of his guys to stick around the taxi squad and Christensen fits the bill.
Jacob De Jesus, WR
There's something about the way Dave Toub spoke about Jacob De Jesus in his remarks to reporters this preseason that makes me believe he believes in De Jesus a lot. He should, since De Jesus led college football in receptions a year ago with 108. Toub has considerable influence when it comes to getting his guys and De Jesus feels like one of them.
Emari Demercado, RB
The Chiefs' running back room came up surprisingly short in numbers with only three on the active roster. Demercado was MIA when the Chiefs released the active roster, but we're betting he's going to land back on the practice squad with likely chances coming his way after further roster configuration.
Chu Godrick, OT
Once again, the Chiefs get to keep a 17th player on the practice squad due to the use of the league's International Player Pathway exemption. Godrick made his official debut late last season and even started three games at tackle by year's end. It makes sense to bring him back once again.
Ethan Hurkett, DE
The former Iowa pass rusher earned a priority free agent deal after the draft but was quickly waived to make room for tryout signings after rookie minicamp. Brought back again in early August due to injuries, Hurkett looked good in limited action, and we're betting the Chiefs liked his motor enough to stick him on the practice squad as a reward.
Kader Kohou, CB
Kohou landed in Kansas City hoping for a rebound after missing his contract season due to injury when in Miami. He provided competition at slot corner, but a holdover (Chris Roland-Wallace) and a rookie (Jadon Canady) won out in the end. Credit the Chiefs' depth at corner over anything negative for Kohou. He'd be a nice addition to the practice squad, if he's amenable to the move.
Jaleel McLaughlin, RB
Why not poach from a rival? Chiefs fans will undoubtedly recognize McLaughlin's name and contributions to the Broncos offense in the last three seasons. However, his usage has fallen as the team has added more talent in recent years, especially after R.J. Harvey's arrival. McLaughlin was cut at the deadline, but his speed and hands make him a two-way threat who would be a nice addition to the practice squad, if he goes unclaimed and would accept such an invitation.
Pete Nygra, OL
The Chiefs always keep a few offensive lineman at the ready on the practice squad. We're guessing that their decision to give Pete Nygra far more reps than any other player this preseason spoke to their hopes that he would turn into something meaningful. The penchant for penalties kept him from claiming an active roster spot for now, but we think a patient approach with the Louisville product makes sense while he's still a rookie.
Emmanuel Ogbah, DL
It's unclear just how many suitors Ogbah might have now that he's no longer on the Chiefs' roster, but it feels like the end of the line after 10 years and 48 career sacks. If that's the case, perhaps he'd accept a practice squad assignment to help a younger edge group with some mentorship and overall depth for a long season ahead.
Chris Oladokun, QB
Is anyone surprised? The Chiefs need a scout team quarterback and Oladokun fits the bill after holding down the same role for the last four seasons.
Esa Pole, OT
Six months ago, the idea of Esa Pole failing to make the active roster would have been a shock. Once in line to compete for starting reps at right tackle, Pole found himself squeezed out of a meaningful role with the emergence of Kahlil Benson and the late-preseason arrival of Diego Pounds. That Pole slipped through waivers is a major boost for K.C.
DeShon Singleton, DB
While DeShon Singleton came up a bit short in the open competition for a safety spot, it was easy to see why the Chiefs were intrigued by his potential this preseason. The former Nebraska safety looked like he might get the best of Xavier Nwankpa and Tanner McAlister in his bid for an active roster spot. The Chiefs alwasy keep an extra safety on hand (or two) on the PS, so we're predicting that he'll still wear red and gold to start the season.
Cedric Tillman, WR
The Cleveland Browns ended the Cedric Tillman experiment after three seasons with his early release. He went unclaimed in waivers due to the price tag of his fourth and final year of his rookie deal. As a free agent, however, Tillman is an interesting flyer as a former second-round pick. The Chiefs feel like the kind of team to take a closer look with a practice squad offer.
Tre Watson, TE
The Chiefs let Watson go, but he was on the practice squad all last season after signing with the team as a rookie free agent in '25. This summer, he had some nice moments and showed improvement as a blocker. He makes more sense than most on this list as a player to keep around.
Add us as a preferred source on Google