Chiefs' ultra-early Week 1 depth chart prediction dares to make bold calls

As we head into May, the offseason seems to be in the rear-view mirror, and the Kansas City Chiefs seem to have a nearly complete roster. Brett Veach and the Chiefs staff have made major improvements following the vastly disappointing season. Free agency and the draft have passed us by, and we now have a much clearer picture as to who will be playing for the Chiefs come September.

Now, it is possible the Chiefs will make some smaller veteran additions before the start of the year, and it is never out of the question for Brett Veach to make a last-minute trade. But for now, most of the heavy lifting is done, and it seems like the Chiefs are comfortable with the roster they currently have as they prepare for training camp.

So with that being said, what will Kansas City's Week 1 depth chart look like for 2026?

Quarterback (3): Patrick Mahomes, Justin Fields, Garrett Nussmeier

The most burning question for Chiefs fans this offseason... Will Patrick Mahomes make the 53-man roster? Of course he will, but in all seriousness, one of the biggest competitions in camp for the Chiefs will be for the QB2 job and whether to keep a third QB on the roster. The Chiefs have not kept a third quarterback since 2022, when Shane Buechele fought his way onto the opening-day roster. But with Fields and Nussmeier, the Chiefs will likely keep a trio of QBs on the roster for Week 1. Do not be surprised if Chris Oladokun earns a spot on the practice squad for the scout team.

Running back (4): Kenneth Walker, Emmett Johnson, Brashard Smith, Terion Stewart

In my first prediction of the offseason, the Chiefs will carry four backs on their active roster. Kenneth Walker was their biggest addition of the offseason, and with Emmett Johnson being added in the fifth round, the Chiefs have a strong 1-2 punch out of the backfield.

Brashard Smith is a strong pass catcher, but I like the profile of Terion Stewart, a UDFA pickup out of Virginia Tech, and I think he will make a strong case to make the team. RB3 could come down to him and Smith, but as of today, I have them both cracking the Day One team.

Wide Receiver (6): Rashee Rice, Tyquan Thornton, Xavier Worthy, Cyrus Allen, Jalen Royals, Andrew Armstrong

The Chiefs' WR room is going to be one of the most competitive in training camp, with about 10 guys who will fight for the final spots on the roster. Rice, Thornton, Worthy, and Allen feel like locks to make the team, but the final two spots may be up for grabs. Royals played minimal snaps last season, but I think it's safe to say he makes the team, and the final spot for me came down to Andrew Armstrong and Jeff Caldwell.

Armstrong was a good player at Arkansas and was a player I had a mid-Day 3 grade on in the draft. He is not the type of receiver the Chiefs usually love, but I think he has the skills to make an impact on the roster. It would not surprise me if the Chiefs go out and add a free-agent WR like Tyreek Hill or Deebo Samuel, but with what they have today, I suspect this is how the WR room will shape up.

Tight end (4): Travis Kelce, Jared Wiley, Noah Gray, Jake Briningstool

The Chiefs' top three tight ends are all but certain to make the roster, and the final spot on the team will come down to Jake Briningstool and John Michael Gyllenborg. The Chiefs seemed happy with Briningstool last offseason despite him spending the year on IR, and I think they will feel more comfortable putting JMG on the practice squad. The Chiefs like to run a lot of 12 personnel, so I fully expect them to carry four tight ends to start this season.

Offensive Line (9): Josh Simmons, Kingsley Suamataia, Creed Humphrey, Trey Smith, Jaylon Moore, Esa Pole,Chukwuebuka Godrick, Pete Nygra, CJ Hansen,

The Chiefs' starting five offensive linemen are set, and the only thing to be determined in camp is who earns the depth spots. Esa Pole feels like the best bet to be the depth swing tackle after a solid year last year when he was thrust into a starting role. Chukwuebuka Godrick also looked strong at right tackle last season, and with his raw athletic profile, the Chiefs may allow him a chance to develop on the bench.

On the interior, there will be a very intense competition for depth spots in Week 1. CJ Hanson, Pete Nygra, Hunter Nourzad, and Mike Caliendo all have a shot at making the team. Nygra is a UDFA out of Louisville, and CJ Hanson is a former seventh-round pick from Holy Cross, but both can be under contract through 2027 and can play center as well as guard. My early prediction is that Kansas City loves the versatility and contract flexibility of those two come cut day.

Defensive line (9): George Karlaftis, Felix Anudike-Uzomah, R Mason Thomas, Ashton Gillotte, Chris Jones, Omar Norman-Lott, Peter Woods, Khyris Tonga, Zacch Pickens

Defensive line was a weak point for the Chiefs at the end of last season, but they look to bounce back in 2026. The Chiefs have several players returning, including Felix Anudike-Uzomah and Omar Norman-Lott, as well as three new faces: R. Mason Thomas, Khyiris Tonga, and Peter Woods. The final roster spot on the defensive line goes to Zacch Pickens, a former third-round pick of the Bears who has proven to be a reliable player on an NFL-caliber defensive front.

Linebacker (5): Nick Bolton, Drue Tranquil, Jeffery Bassa, Cooper McDonald, Jack Cochrane

The Chiefs often like to carry five linebackers, and the top three guys are set in stone. Nick Bolton is the anchor of the Chiefs' defense, and Drue Tranquill is a reliable veteran. Jeffrey Bassa is a promising young player whom I had graded in my top 100, and I expect him to step up into a major role for the Chiefs' defense this offseason.

The final two spots are up for grabs, and I have McDonald and Cochrane winning the depth LB jobs again this season. The Chiefs have maintained their faith in Jack Cochrane to fill a depth LB role, and I expect him to be the defense's fourth linebacker for this season. McDonald played in 17 games for the Chiefs last season, and there is little to no doubt that he will be back in a similar role this year.

Cornerbacks (6): Mansoor Delane, Nohl Williams, Jadon Canady (SLOT), Kristan Fulton, Chris Roland-Wallace, Kader Kohou

The Chiefs made significant investments in the DB room this offseason after losing their top two corners via trade and free agency. The Chiefs selected Mansoor Delane with the sixth overall pick in the draft, as well as Jadon Canady with the 109th pick. The Chiefs' starting three corners will be young, but Delane, Williams, and Canady will make for one of the best man-to-man coverage units in the NFL.

Behind them, the Chiefs will lean on former first-round pick Kristian Fulton, who brings a veteran presence and true physicality. Chris Roland-Wallace played great for the Chiefs last year as a depth guy and was key on special teams, and Kader Kohou will provide depth in the slot behind Canady. Kaiir Elam and Kevin Knowles will make a push for one of the final spots, but this is how I have things shaking out for Week 1.

Safties (4): Alohi Gillman, Jaden Hicks, Deshon Singleton, Chamarri Conner

Losing Bryan Cook to free agency was a major blow to the Chiefs' defense, but with the addition of Alohi Gilman, they hope the unit can remain a strong suit in 2026. Despite not playing much last year, the Chiefs seem to have faith in Jaden Hicks, and I expect him to step into a big role this year. Chamarri Conner will also provide versatility with the ability to play in the slot or over the top as a free safety.

The final spot at safety came down to DeShon Singleton or Xavier Nwankpa, but I have liked Singleton's hybrid skill set a little more in my scouting report. Singleton will provide more special-teams value, and his ability to play in the box may be appealing to Steve Spagnuolo. But regardless, it feels likely the Chiefs will carry a fourth safety, and one of them will be a UDFA addition.

Special Teams (3): Harrison Butker, Matt Araiza, James Winchester

No competition, all locks. Special teams will be a strength of this team in 2026.

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