The Kansas City Chiefs are 3-0. That's what matters most. But the final 24-10 score of the team's road win over the Miami Dolphins doesn't speak to just how close the game was on the afternoon, as the visitors didn't pull away until the game's final minutes. That a previous 0-2 Miami team could put the heat on K.C. like they did will be a major talking point all week long.
To help break down the various angles, we thought we'd look at a Chiefs stock report to see what we're buying, selling, and holding after Week 3 against the Dolphins.
Buy: Kenneth Walker's impact
The most obvious entry in this whole column, but we can't proceed without starting with Kenneth Walker's overwhelming impact on the Chiefs' offense. For the first time in years, defenses have to not only acknowledge the ground game but plan for it when facing Kansas City, which opens things up so much more for Patrick Mahomes.
Walker was responsible for the Chiefs' first two touchdowns and ended his day with 18 carries for 70 yards. Our friend Ron Kopp dug up an incredible stat: Walker has broken 12 tackles or more per game so far this year, and no other running back has even broken 10 in a single game so far in 2026. We'll talk about the receivers in a second, but any concerns can wait for Walker. The Chiefs were hoping he would add an explosive element, but he's catalyzed the entire unit before our eyes.
Buy: Chamarri Conner will be a welcome addition
The Chiefs are missing Chamarri Conner for a third consecutive game to start the year thanks to a knee injury suffered late in training camp. The safety is on his way back after returning to practice earlier this week, and the Chiefs are going to be glad to see him. For one, the Chiefs are leaning on Alohi Gilman and Jaden Hicks to play 100 percent of snaps, so Conner will provide some positional relief for those currently overburdened. But the Dolphins were wise to attack both of the Chiefs' starters for some big gains, and Conner's intelligence in the system and overall instincts are going to be upgrades on key plays in the weeks to come—assuming he's back against the Raiders in Week 4.
Hold: L'Jarius Sneed's usage
L'Jarius Sneed has been the target of opposing offensive coordinators for each of the last two weeks now, a weaker link in the secondary for quarterbacks to pick on. Both Daniel Jones of the Colts and Malik Willis of the Dolphins have had success taking the game to Sneed, and his higher-than-expected usage is something Steve Spagnuolo is going to have to consider against other options. Other teams are creating some easy mismatches to move the chains in terms of speed against a veteran corner who has clearly lost a step after years of quad and knee injuries.
That said, it's not as if Sneed is past his expiration date or anything. Sneed's penchant for impact plays helped the team win multiple championships in years past, and the Chiefs saw that again in Week 3 when he both forced and recovered a fumble out of Willis's hands on a scramble. The turnover was huge in a closer-than-expected game.
The Chiefs will figure out the best way to use Sneed over time. For now, there are concerns to be addressed, while fans who are taking things over the top should respect the leadership and instincts that are still assets to the team.
Buy: Travis Kelce's longevity
At this point, we've stopped asking how Travis Kelce does what he does. After a long string of franchise records broken and NFL marks set, the Hall of Fame has been waiting for some time for Kelce to come accept his rightful place. But even at the age of 37, he's still putting up incredible production for a Chiefs offense that is relying on him as much as ever to serve as a cornerstone in the team's passing attack. On Sunday, it was an incredible 48-yard catch to open the game that set an early tone. An 11-yard touchdown grab put the game out of reach. Mahomes is having a hard time finding a new torch-bearer to take over, but as long as Kelce can play like this, the Chiefs offense can still make it work.
Sell: Special teams praise
The specialists are fine. Harrison Butker is a clutch kicker. Matt Araiza is a very good punter. But somehow, everything else in Dave Toub's units serves up one mistake after another. From silly mistakes to silly decisions, the Chiefs were serving up head-shaking mistakes over and over in their win over the Dolphins. At the very least, can we stop calling for fair catches so close to our own goal line? At this point, sell on the idea of praising special teams.
Hold: Short yardage hopes
In Week 1, the Chiefs leaned on defensive tackle Khyiris Tonga again and again in short-yardage situations, along with bigger personnel packages, to move the chains with ease in a steamrolling of the Denver Broncos. In Week 3, the Miami Dolphins were able to stave off Kenneth Walker's attempts to convert multiple short-yardage attempts as fans watched their favorite team turn it over on downs at a pivotal juncture in a too-close-for-comfort game in Miami. Expect a greater emphasis in practice on these very scenarios and for the coaching staff to rethink the approach, because the Chiefs can't let these easy opportunities pass them by again.
Buy: The future at cornerback
The Chiefs took their licks defensively at several points on Sunday, which was frustrating knowing that De'Von Achane was injured and that the Dolphins are working with far less talent than most teams talent-wise. That said, there's no denying that the team's young cornerbacks are going to be special as they continue to learn to play together and gain experience. First-round pick Mansoor Delane played his first full NFL game and had a couple of spectacular plays throughout. Nohl Williams continues to look like a Pro Bowl performer in his second season. That's not to say that either played mistake-free football, but Chiefs Kingdom has to be thrilled with how the secondary is shaping up on the boundaries for the next few seasons.
Sell: The tackles are fine
Look, no shade intended on Kahlil Benson. The rookie free agent has performed admirably outside filling in for Josh Simmons, who remains out with a back injury for the third consecutive week. But watching Benson and Jaylon Moore lose outside over and over, forcing Patrick Mahomes to absorb major hits multiple times on Sunday afternoon, provides proof that Kansas City needs last year's first-round pick back sooner rather than later.
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