The Kansas City Chiefs have completed seven training camp practices, including three consecutive padded practices.

There have been several standout players during the early goings of training camp, with plenty of players emerging and stacking good days. UDFA OT Kahlil Benson has already established that the right tackle job is his to lose, but other players are still fighting to earn roster spots.

Who are some of the other Chiefs players seeing their stock rise after the early goings of training camp?

TE Jake Briningstool

A year ago at training camp, Briningstool had rotated in with the first-team offense before a hamstring injury took him out for the year. During this training camp, he’s been the only tight end not named Travis Kelce, Noah Gray, and Jared Wiley to work with the first-team offense. It feels like he’s picked up where he left off prior to injury.

“You know he had the hamstring, so right away, even in the camp, minicamp,” Chiefs HC Andy Reid said on Wednesday. “So it’s great that he’s back to back in some practices here, and then you get a chance to see what he’s all about. He’s a good receiver, and you know what? He stuck his nose in there, and he’s blocking. And my hat goes off to him. He’s just got to keep stacking them, and that’s his challenge right now.”

I don’t know if the Chiefs can afford to keep four tight ends on the roster this year. However, Briningstool is definitely making the decision tough on them through a week of training camp practices. He’s made some of the best catches of any player at camp, whether it’s elevating over a defender or tumbling to the ground while making a grab.

WR Andrew Armstrong

With three of the Chiefs’ top four wide receivers sidelined or limited, Andrew Armstrong has been working with the starters. He’s one of two wide receivers that Andy Reid declared to have earned the trust of Patrick Mahomes. The other player? Rookie standout Cyrus Allen.

“I like what (Andrew) Armstrong’s doing,” Chiefs HC Andy Reid said on Wednesday. “Big kid, strong. Looks like the quarterback trusts him… He’s got good speed for a big kid and good transition. He’s not stiff coming out of breaks, and that’s important.”

If the season started next week, my guess is that Armstrong would make the roster as the No. 6 wide receiver in Kansas City.

RB Brashard Smith

Everyone expected Emmett Johnson to push Emari Demercado for that No. 2 running back job behind Kenneth Walker. It looks like Brashard Smith is actually making a move for it in the early goings of training camp.

“I know he can run the football,” Chiefs HC Andy Reid said on Tuesday. “I know he’s good with the ball in his hands, catch the ball. Can you do all the small things that a running back has to do with protection, the intricacies of the different routes that we have for him? So, let’s see how we’ve improved, protection being the big one.”

It sounds as if Smith has added the requisite strength to play running back. The only thing standing in his way is shoring up his pass protection and route-running out of the backfield. Learning that could be the difference between an outsized role on offense or being relegated to special teams work.

S Xavier Nwankpa

Dave Toub put Nwankpa on everyone’s radar back in June. Now, Nwankpa is putting himself squarely on the radar through his play during practice. He’s primarily worked with the second-team defense at safety, along with special teams. On defense, he’s flashed numerous times. His interception and return against Justin Fields on the first day of pads stood out most.

“Just trying to take advantage of any reps I can get,” Nwankpa said during the rookie head start to training camp. “Young guy, undrafted guy, I’m just trying to go out there when I get my number called and go make some plays and just capitalize on those opportunities, that’s all I can ask for.”

He has the right mentality. If he continues to stand out through the preseason, I could see him making the 53-man roster.

CB Melvin Smith Jr.

Mansoor Delane is dealing with a mysterious shoulder injury. L’Jarius Sneed is still in a ramp-up period after not participating in OTAs and mandatory minicamp. Kristian Fulton is now dealing with a hip injury. That has created an opportunity at cornerback, and second-year man Melvin Smith Jr. is taking advantage.

Smith went undrafted out of Southern Arkansas last season. He worked opposite CB Nohl Williams with the first-team defense on Tuesday. Smith spent the 2025 NFL season on the practice squad, and that seems to have served him well. Not only does he look like he belongs in man coverage looks, but he’s got really good zone coverage awareness in the red zone.