Chiefs 53-man roster projection: A few surprises based on early practices
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2026 Training Camp DatesNFL Minicamp StorylinesRams O-line QuestionsRavens Most Pressing IssuesMarShawn Lloyd & PackersAnalysisChiefs 53-man roster projection: A few surprises based on early practices
Undrafted rookie safety Xavier Nwankpa has been one of the pleasant surprises of the Chiefs' offseason program. Kyle Rivas / Getty Images
By Jesse NewellJune 23, 2026 6:05 am EDT UpdatedIt’s never too early to start visualizing what the Kansas City Chiefs’ 2026 roster might look like.
With that in mind, here’s a very early 53-man roster projection based on impressions from organized team activities and mandatory minicamp.
Quarterbacks (3)
In: Patrick Mahomes, Justin Fields, Garrett Nussmeier
Missed the cut: Chris Oladokun
By taking Nussmeier in the seventh round of the NFL Draft, the Chiefs essentially locked themselves into keeping three quarterbacks on the 53. It might not be a bad idea this year anyway, with Mahomes’ health status less certain than in years past as he recovers from left knee surgery.
Three storylines I'll be watching in Chiefs training campJesse NewellRunning backs (4)
In: Kenneth Walker III, Emari Demercado, Emmett Johnson, Brashard Smith
Missed the cut: Jaydn Ott, E.J. Smith
I still think it’ll be an important training camp for Smith, a 2025 seventh-round pick, but so far, he looks to be a major part of the Chiefs’ return game. If he maintains that role, it’ll go a long way toward helping him keep his spot.
Receivers (6)
In: Rashee Rice, Xavier Worthy, Tyquan Thornton, Jalen Royals, Cyrus Allen, Andrew Armstrong
Missed the cut: Jimmy Holiday, Nikko Remigio, Jacob De Jesus, Jason Brownlee, Jeff Caldwell, Omari Evans, Xavier Loyd
This list might include the biggest surprise in this projection. Armstrong seems to have gained early favor with coaches after signing a reserve contract in the offseason. His trajectory reminds me a bit of Thornton, who also performed well during late-spring practices in 2025 before later securing his spot. At this point, I’d put Holiday as next in the battle for that end-of-the-roster receiver spot. Remigio, meanwhile, remains a wild card to make it if the Chiefs can’t find a reliable punt catcher.
Chiefs tight end Tre Watson is a player to watch this summer. (Denny Medley / Imagn Images)Tight ends (4)
In: Travis Kelce, Noah Gray, Jared Wiley, Tre Watson
Missed the cut: Jake Briningstool, John Michael Gyllenborg, Mason Pline
We don’t talk enough about Watson, and based on his performance in recent drills, he should get a long look for the fourth tight end spot. Briningstool needs to show he can be healthy and available after a de facto redshirt season last year with a hamstring injury.
Offensive line (9)
In: Josh Simmons, Kingsley Suamataia, Creed Humphrey, Trey Smith, Jaylon Moore, Esa Pole, Mike Caliendo, Hunter Nourzad, Kahlil Benson
Missed the cut: C.J. Hanson, Chu Godrick, Ethan Driskell, Josh Thompson, Matt Waletzko, Pete Nygra
Benson was one of the big stories of mandatory minicamp — enough so that it’d be a surprise at this point if he doesn’t make the Chiefs’ initial 53. Driskell is an interesting name to watch after he missed all of last season following an appendectomy. The Chiefs kept him on their active roster throughout 2024 as a developmental player, but we haven’t heard much about him since.
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Defensive line (8)
In: George Karlaftis, Chris Jones, Khyiris Tonga, Ashton Gillotte, Peter Woods, R Mason Thomas, Omarr Norman-Lott, Felix Anudike-Uzomah
Missed the cut: Amari McNeill, Anthony Dunn, Cole Brevard, Damon Payne, Marcus Harris, Tyreke Smith, V.J. Anthony
The Chiefs typically keep nine or 10 defensive linemen, but right now, it’s tough to figure out who the top candidate would be for No. 9. It might actually be Ethan Downs, who “officially” switched positions to linebacker this offseason but has played defensive end for the Chiefs in the past. Another question that looms: Will Norman-Lott start the season on the physically unable to perform list while still recovering from his torn ACL last October? It sure seems like there’s room here for an unexpected player to emerge and make the team.
Linebackers (6)
In: Drue Tranquill, Nick Bolton, Cooper McDonald, Jeffrey Bassa, Ethan Downs, Jack Cochrane
Missed the cut: Cole Christiansen, Kam Arnold, Wesley Bissainthe
Special teams coach Dave Toub typically gets a lot of say about the team’s final linebacker, meaning Cochrane should have the inside track thanks to his previous work there. Toub also spoke in recent weeks about being pleased with Downs as a special teams player; we’ll add him to the roster here as a defensive end/linebacker hybrid. Is McDonald ready to step in for free-agent departure Leo Chenal as the team’s strongside linebacker? He’ll be one worth watching closely once July practices start.
Cornerback Chris Roland-Wallace could be in line for a bigger role this season. (Jay Biggerstaff / Imagn Images)Cornerbacks (6)
In: Mansoor Delane, Nohl Williams, Kristian Fulton, Chris Roland-Wallace, Jadon Canady, L’Jarius Sneed
Missed the cut: Kader Kohou, Kaiir Elam, Kevin Knowles, Bryce Phillips, D’Arco Perkins-McAllister, Melvin Smith, Zelmar Vedder
I’ve seen some consider Kohou a lock for the roster, but I’m not so sure at this point. He didn’t flash much during recent workouts, and his contract (one year, $1.81 million) isn’t the kind that should prevent the Chiefs from cutting him if they feel that’s best. Roland-Wallace, meanwhile, has long been a favorite of defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo and should compete for regular snaps as a cross-trained slot corner/safety.
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Safeties (4)
In: Alohi Gilman, Chamarri Conner, Jaden Hicks, Xavier Nwankpa
Missed the cut: DeShon Singleton, Tanner McCalister
Toub has already cited Nwankpa (pronounced WAUM-puh) as a special teams standout. That’s a great start for an undrafted free agent trying to earn his way. It’ll also be a big year for Hicks to show he can be more reliable with assignments while trying to regain Spagnuolo’s trust.
Specialists (3)
In: K Harrison Butker, P Matt Araiza, LS James Winchester
Missed the cut: None
Though the Chiefs have sporadically brought in competition for specialist roles in training camp, they didn’t this season. Something will have gone very wrong if these three aren’t the Week 1 starters.
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Badenoch blasts 'moaning' female Labour MPs over Burnham jobs 'quota'
Kemi Badenoch has told Labour women to earn a job in Andy Burnham's Cabinet instead of demanding they are handed jobs because of their gender.
The Tory leader lashed out today amid reports that female MPs are demanding the de-facto new prime minister introduce a 50:50 gender split 'quota' in his government.
Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister also complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts.
But in a scathing article in the Times today Mrs Badenoch told them to 'stop moaning' and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'.
'There are many, many reasons why you shouldn't have any Milibands in the cabinet,' she said.
'But complaining that the boys haven't given them the right jobs or that the boys are taking all the jobs, just shows that Labour's women still don't get it.'
The idea of quotas was also attacked by Baroness Jacqui Smith, Labour's Skills Minister.
Asked by Times Radio if Mr Burnham should reserve jobs for women, she said: 'No, I think what Andy Burnham should be doing is building the very best team around him to change this country.'
A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs
Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband (above, right, in 2010) is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts
But Mrs Badenoch told them to pipe down and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'
A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party and seen by the BBC has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs after he succeeds Sir Keir Starmer.
'We are asking you to demonstrate this change from day one and address the toxicity and misogyny within our own party and government,' it said.
Labour has never had a female leader, while the Conservatives have had three, and Mrs Badenoch urged the government to follow its meritocratic example.
'If you run a meritocracy, then you do not have to worry about jobs for the boys,' she wrote.
'Every woman who is a Conservative MP, every woman who has ever won the leadership, has had to fight to get where she is.
'By contrast, Labour women are demanding guarantees from Burnham. But the truth is he doesn't have to give any guarantees.
'If none of Labour's women are prepared to get their hands dirty and challenge him for the leadership, their demands are toothless.'
'In fact, it's quite revealing that the women's parliamentary Labour Party has written to Burnham asking him to commit himself to at least 50 per cent female ministers.
'This has nothing to do with meritocracy. It is yet more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country.'
