These 5 Chiefs UDFA signings could surprise their way onto roster

Following a draft weekend filled with fun and excitement, the Kansas City Chiefs were once again active following the seventh round, signing rookie free agents who were overlooked among the 257 picks. Veach is often aggressive, targeting several of the top UDFAs, especially those with elite athletic metrics. This weekend, the Chiefs did that yet again.

The Chiefs have a rich history of success with UDFAs under Brett Veach, with several post-draft signings having major impacts in Kansas City. Guys like Charvarius Ward, Carson Steele, Mike Caliendo, and Turk Wharton, just to name a few, are UDFA signings the Chiefs have added that have made major impacts for Kansas City.

Just last year, Esa Pole, an undrafted free agent tackle out of Washington State, made several starts at left tackle for the Chiefs late in the season and now appears to be their swing tackle for the 2026 season. They also had players like Kevin Knowles, Cooper McDonald, and Ethan Downs, all UDFAs after the 2025 draft, who played some for the team last season. The Chiefs also have high hopes for 2025 UDFA Jake Briningstool out of Clemson, who spent all of year one on IR.

Given the Chiefs' impressive history of identifying, developing, and utilizing UDFA prospects, it feels important to look at the top signings this offseason. So, who are the five Kansas City UDFA signings with the best chance to make the Chiefs' Week 1 53-man roster?

WR Jeff Caldwell

After drafting his Cincinnati counterpart earlier in the day, the Chiefs doubled down, adding the hyper-athletic Jeff Caldwell after the draft. At 6-5, 210 lbs., Caldwell comes with incredible size, and with a 4.31 forty-yard dash, he also brings blazing speed. He is a raw receiver with minimal production since leaving Lindenwood, but his incredible athletic profile is intriguing, and the Chiefs are willing to take a shot after the draft.

RB Jaydn Ott

Coming into this season, Ott was seen as one of the top RB prospects in the 2026 class, but after a disastrous season at Oklahoma, he took a massive step back. Now with the Chiefs, Ott follows his running backs coach from Oklahoma, DeMarco Murray, and will fight for a spot with the Chiefs. Ott has a history with the coaching staff, plenty of talent to play in the NFL, and, with a good offseason, he could crack the roster as RB 3 or 4.

OL Pete Nygra

The Chiefs met with Nygra at the Shrine Bowl this offseason, and clearly, they liked what they saw. Nygra was the center for Louisville over the last two seasons, where he looked like one of the most underrated linemen in the ACC. Nygra feels a lot like the Chiefs' signing of Mike Caliendo or the late-round pick of Nick Allegretti, both of whom have become great depth for the team in major games.

S Deshon Singleton

After adding his teammate Emmett Johnson in the fifth round, the Chiefs added one of the top box safeties in the class after the draft. At 6-2, 210 lbs., Singleton is a very big safety known for his ability to play in the box and make big tackles while still having the range to keep up with tight ends and running backs in coverage. Singleton will need to make the roster on special teams, but with the Chiefs' lack of depth in the secondary, Singleton could find the field on a more regular basis with a good offseason performance.

LB Wesley Bissainthe

One of the more undersized linebackers in the class, Bissainthe slipped out of the draft because of his weird fit into an NFL defense. At just 6-1, 225 lbs., Bissainthe is very small compared to the average linebacker, but his range and quickness at the second level are impressive. In Kansas City, if Bissainthe is going to make the roster, he likely will need to catch the eye of special teams coordinator Dave Toub and then make his impact felt from there.

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