Ranking the Chiefs undrafted rookies most likely to make the 53-man roster

Hitting on undrafted free agent pickups is one of the most rewarding practices in the NFL. The Chiefs have done an impressive job in this department, with guys like Charvarius Ward, Turk Wharton, Esa Pole, and many others making their impact felt on the team despite not being selected in the NFL Draft. Yet again, heading into this season, the Chiefs have one of the NFL's strongest UDFA classes and have several players who could make an early impact on the team.

Heading into the 2026 season, the Chiefs have one of the youngest rosters in the NFL, and after the team's worst season in a decade, they are looking for new life. The Chiefs suffered several major losses in the offseason, with guys like Trent McDuffie, Jaylen Watson, Bryan Cook, and Jawaan Taylor all leaving the starting lineup. But with these departures come opportunity, and with several hungry UDFAs in camp, there could be some major shake-ups this offseason.

There will be major competition at nearly every position group this offseason, and monitoring the Chiefs' depth situation will be incredibly interesting. But keeping your eye on all 90 guys during the offseason can be a tall task. So, which UDFAs should you be keeping your eyes on to make the team this offseason?

Khalil Benson (95% of making the team)

The most obvious name for this list is Khalil Benson, who has received mountains of hype this offseason for being in the mix to start at right tackle in 2026. As of today, the Chiefs seem to have a three-man battle for the starting right tackle job between Jaylon Moore, Esa Pole, and Khalil Benson. It did not take long after the Chiefs picked Benson up for him to start making waves, and as of today, it would almost feel foolish to leave him off a Week 1 roster prediction.

Xavier Nwankpa (80% chance of making the team)

The second-clearest name to mention for the Chiefs is former Iowa star safety Xavier Nwankpa. Another example of a player who has made waves early in his short time in Kansas City, Nwankpa has already made his impact felt in the Chiefs' training camp. The Chiefs' safety room is thin, and there is a clear path to the roster, with the door to a depth safety job wide open. Similar to Benson, it would almost feel like a bold prediction to leave Nwankpa off an offseason roster prediction.

Jeff Caldwell (20% chance of making the team)

With the third player listed, the chances of making the roster are significantly slimmer. Caldwell is arguably the most well-known UDFA pickup the Chiefs made, and many fans know him for his incredible athletic skill set. But barring any unforeseen changes, the Chiefs' wide receiver room is relatively set, and Caldwell will need a strong camp to break down the door. It is more likely that the Chiefs will stash him on the practice squad, giving him a chance to make a roster push in 2027.

Omari Evans (15% chance of making the team)

Omari Evans is in a similar situation to Caldwell but is likely one spot lower on the current depth chart. With a strong training camp, Evans could make a push for the roster, especially as a depth guy who can play inside and out. But he has a lot of ground to make up on guys like Caldwell, Armstrong, and Remigio. Evans is likely to be stashed on the practice squad, where he will make his big push to make the Week 1 roster in 2027.

Damon Payne (15% chance of making the team)

Coming out of high school, Payne was seen as a can't-miss player and a top-50 player in the nation. While he did not quite live up to the high expectations that were set for him, he was a solid player, especially late in his career with Michigan. The Chiefs invested heavily in the defensive line this offseason, giving Payne an uphill battle to make the team. But with a strong training camp, Payne can make a push to force the Chiefs to carry five defensive tackles in 2026. More than likely, Payne is fighting for a practice squad spot, similar to Caldwell and Evans.

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