The seven rounds of the 2026 NFL Draft are officially in the books, and the Kansas City Chiefs undoubtedly got a lot better, especially on the defensive side of the ball. However, the frenzy is far from over for general manager Brett Veach and the rest of the front office as they race to reach agreements with prospects they like who went overlooked after 257 selections.
Every year, the Chiefs and 31 other NFL franchises jostle for the chance to bring in fringe prospects who show promise in one area or another as undrafted free agents. Lest you dismiss the impact of such players, you should know that Kansas City has a very strong history of depending on such acquisitions as long shots turn into vital contributors.
Veach has shown a real acumen for uncovering key players in this phase of roster construction. Former Chiefs pass rusher Turk Wharton was a small-school find out of Missouri S&T before becoming a strong rotational disruptor who earned a nice payday with the Carolina Panthers in free agency. Andrew Wylie is now a well-paid member of the Washington Commanders front line, but only after ascending the Chiefs' depth chart as a versatile lineman.
Other names that have surfaced as depending role players (or better) over the years for Kansas City include punter Tommy Townsend, running back Darrel Williams, linebackers Jack Cochrane and Ben Niemann, tight end Jody Fortson, and more. Veach traded for another in Charvarius Ward and he blossomed into one of the NFL's better cornerbacks.
Immediately after the conclusion of the draft, Brett Veach went to work signing prospects who were still on the team's board. The Chiefs' rookie minicamp, which is scheduled to be held on May 1-2, will give Andy Reid and his staff a closer look at the potential of each player. Here's the full list of undrafted prospects who signed with the Chiefs.
A list of the Chiefs undrafted free-agent signings
Name | Position | School |
|---|---|---|
VJ Anthony | DE | Duke |
Wesley Bissainthe | LB | Miami |
Cole Brevard | IDL | Texas |
Jeff Caldwell | WR | Cincinnati |
Anthony Dunn Jr. | LB | Toledo |
Tunde Fatukasi* | OL | Bowling Green |
John Michael Gyllenborg | TE | Wyoming |
Kajiya Hollawayne* | WR | Temple |
Xavier Nwankpa | S | Iowa |
Pete Nygra | OL | Louisville |
Jadyn Ott | RB | Oklahoma |
D'Arco Perkins-McAllister | CB | UL-Monroe |
Bryce Phillips | DB | San Diego State |
Shay Taylor* | LB | Charlotte |
Josh Thompson | OL | LSU |
Zelmar Veddar | CB | Houston |
Note: * = Rookie minicamp invite only
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