Kansas City Chiefs to host 76 players for tryouts at 2026 rookie minicamp — and there’s a recent example of why it matters
The Kansas City Chiefs brought in a ton of tryout players for this weekend’s rookie minicamp. A current player on the team’s roster is a reminder of why it matters.
The Kansas City Chiefs have officially revealed their roster for this weekend’s rookie minicamp, with 20 undrafted free agents signed and a number in attendance for tryouts.
The Chiefs typically have a few tryout players make the 90-man offseason roster, but they have one recent success story worth noting. In 2025, TCU LB Cooper McDonald signed with the club after a successful tryout. He didn’t just make the 90-man roster, though. He went on to make the 53-man roster and is currently the favorite to take over the SAM linebacker spot vacated by Leo Chenal.
Chiefs LB Cooper McDonald stats 2025 NFL season
McDonald appeared in all 17 games for the Chiefs last season, making his first career start in Week 18 vs. the Las Vegas Raiders. He primarily played on special teams with 289 snaps for Dave Toub’s unit, compared to just 57 defensive snaps for Steve Spagnuolo. Those defensive snaps mostly came in the last three weeks of the season.
- 25 total tackles
- one tackle for loss
With that in mind, here’s a look at the rookie minicamp tryouts by position group.
Quarterback: 2
- TCU QB Ken Seals
- Fresno State QB EJ Warner
It seems like LSU QB Garrett Nussmeier (pick No. 249) will be able to work, but the Chiefs need multiple quarterbacks to throw at these camps. It’s worth noting that EJ Warner is the son of Pro Football Hall of Fame QB Kurt Warner.
Running back: 5
- Buffalo RB Al-Jay Henderson
- UCLA RB Anthony Frias II
- South Carolina RB Rahsul Faison
- Kansas RB Daniel Hishaw
- Virginia Tech RB Terion Stewart
When you consider that this group is supplementing RBs Emmett Johnson, Jaydn Ott, and EJ Smith, it’s an abundance of riches for Kansas City. This might be the most competitive group that camp has to offer.
Tight end: 4
- UConn TE Louis Hansen
- Pitt TE Justin Holmes
- Tulane TE Johnny Pascuzzi
- Toledo TE Jacob Peterson
These players will join Wyoming’s John Michael Gyllenborg at the Chiefs’ rookie minicamp. The team didn’t invest much in the tight end position this offseason, so there’s some opportunity to be had here.
Wide receiver: 5
- USC WR Jaden Richardson
- Arizona WR Javon Wheatley
- West Virginia WR Jeff Weimer
- Missouri WR Xavier Loyd
- Wisconsin WR Dekel Crowdus
The Chiefs also have WRs Cyrus Allen, Jeff Caldwell, Jacob De Jesus, and Omari Evans participating. Andrew Armstrong (reserve/future signing) is also eligible to participate.
Offensive line: 15
- Bowling Green OT Tunde Fatukasi
- Pitt OT Jeff Persi
- Florida State OT Micah Pettus
- Indiana OT Kahlil Benson
- Boise State OL Mason Randolph
- International OT Felix Lepper
- UCLA OT Reuben Unije
- Louisville OL Mahamane Moussa
- Carroll OT Andrew Devine
- Southern Illinois OL Noah Fenske
- Kentucky OG Josh Braun
- Michigan OG Gio El-Hadi
- BYU G Weylin Lapuaho
- FIU G Julius Pierce
- Oklahoma OL Derek Simmons
The Chiefs didn’t add to the offensive line via the draft or free agency this year, so there’s a ton of opportunity for these tryout players. Especially those at the tackle position. They’ll be joined by LSU’s Josh Thompson and Louisville’s Pete Nygra who signed UDFA deals.
Defensive line: 16
- Mercyhurst DE Jonas King
- Rice DL Blake Boenisch
- Colorado DL Keaten Wade
- BYU DL John Taumoepeau
- SMU DL Shaq Spears
- Missouri Western DL Grant Finley
- Pitt DE Joey Zelinsky
- Oregon State DE Nikko Taylor
- Syracuse DL Chris Thomas
- Northwestern DT Carmine Bastone
- UConn DE Donovan Branch
- West Florida DE Colby Taylor
- Coastal Carolina DE Noah Arinze
- Fresno State DE Korey Foreman
- Maryland DT Cameron Rice
- North Carolina DE Smith Vilbert
Even with two draft investments (Peter Woods and R Mason Thomas) and five UDFA investments, this group is one to watch. The Chiefs need a bit of an overhaul to their interior defensive line and edge rusher depth, so expect that this group could contribute to some roster churn.
Linebacker: 9
- Charlotte LB Shay Taylor
- Mizzou LB Triston Newsom
- JMU LB Trent Hendrick
- Arkansas LB Stephen Dix
- Michigan LB Ernest Hausmann
- San Jose State LB Taniela Latu
- Texas Tech LB Bryce Ramirez
- SFA LB Jaydon Southard
- Pitt St. LB Steven Ward
This is another position group where the Chiefs didn’t invest during the draft or free agency. There could quietly be some opportunity here to push some players off the bottom of Kansas City’s roster.
Defensive back: 14
- Montana CB Kenzel Lawler
- Marshall DB Cam Smith
- Tennessee Tech S Tim Coutras
- Kansas State S Gunner Maldonado
- Liberty S Brylan Green
- Eastern Kentucky DB Jaheim Ward
- Pitt DB Rashad Battle
- North Carolina DB Gavin Gibson
- Pitt DB Javon McIntyre
- Washington State S Caleb Francl
- Wisconsin CB Rico Hallmaan
- Vanderbilt S Marlen Sewell
- SC State CB Dub Washington
- Cincinnati DB Logan Wilson
The Chiefs invested heavily in the cornerback position in the 2026 NFL Draft, but the safety spot might be one to watch. These DBs will join Iowa’s Xavier Nwankpa, Houston’s Zelmar Vedder, SDSU’s Bryce Phillips, Nebraska’s DeShon Singleton, and UL Monroe’s D’arco Perkins-McCallister in the secondary during rookie minicamp.
Specialists: 6
- Miami K Carter Davis
- UConn P Connor Stutz
- Washington K Grady Gross
- Western Kentucky P Cole Maynard
- Ohio State LS John Ferlmann
- Kansas State LS Mason Olguin
The Chiefs need specialists at camp. Even though all three specialist spots are somewhat secure, it never hurts to have some depth on speed dial.