The Kansas City Chiefs will soon face the Los Angeles Rams in Week 1 of the 2026 NFL preseason. It’ll mark the beginning of the end of offseason evaluation, as GM Brett Veach needs to trim the roster from 90 players to 53 later this month.

With the preseason here and training camp wrapping up with just four more practices, it’s the perfect time to explore a 53-man roster projection. I last published a projection on June 23, after mandatory minicamp and ahead of 2026 training camp. What have we learned about the team after 14 practices at Missouri Western State University in St. Joseph, Missouri?

Note: Players with a single asterisk (*) are 2026 draft picks and players with double asterisks (**) are 2026 undrafted free agents.

Offense: 27

Quarterbacks: 3

• Patrick Mahomes
• Justin Fields
• Garrett Nussmeier*

Wild card: Garrett Nussmeier

I fully anticipate that the Chiefs will carry three quarterbacks, and Garrett Nussmeier will be one of them. I am listing him as the wild card because the Chiefs haven’t carried a third quarterback on the roster in several years. It’s Andy Reid’s preferred method, but he hasn’t needed it with Mahomes as the signal-caller. The knee injury will likely push the team in this direction again, at least for 2026.

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Running backs: 4

• Kenneth Walker
• Emari Demercado
• Emmett Johnson*
• Brashard Smith

Wild card: E.J. Smith

I do think the Chiefs ultimately roll with four running backs on the 53-man roster. The main reason? I am not sure that any one player has the complete skill set to establish themselves as the No. 2 running back behind Kenneth Walker. The wild-card in this situation is UDFA E.J. Smith, son of Pro Football Hall of Famer Emmitt Smith. He’s someone who could quietly sneak in based on special teams.

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Tight ends: 4

• Travis Kelce
• Noah Gray
• Jared Wiley
• Jake Briningstool

Wild card: Tre Watson

With everyone expecting a big trend shift toward more 13-personnel in 2026, I think having four tight ends on the roster is a given. Andy Reid mentioned that Wiley, Briningstool, and Watson are all in very close competition with each other. The preseason games are likely to determine which of these tight ends lock up the final two spots on the roster. Health will also play a factor. Wiley had a hamstring injury in camp this week, but didn’t miss any practice time. Remember, these guys aren’t just competing against each other; they’re also competing against potential waiver claims during 53-man roster cuts.

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Wide receivers: 7

• Xavier Worthy
• Tyquan Thornton
• Rashee Rice
• Jalen Royals
• Cyrus Allen*
• Nikko Remigio
• Andrew Armstrong

Wild card: Jacob De Jesus

I think that Armstrong will make an undeniable case for the roster. Between that and the early injuries at wide receiver, I think the Chiefs will play it safe and keep a heavy group of skill players. The one that I expect to make things even tougher on Brett Veach? UDFA WR Jacob De Jesus. That kid has juice as both a receiver and a return specialist. If he’s able to score in a few different phases of the game, I could see him sending Remigio packing.

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Offensive line: 9

• Josh Simmons
• Kingsley Suamataia
• Creed Humphrey
• Trey Smith
• Jaylon Moore
• Kahlil Benson**
• Esa Pole
• Ethan Driskell
• Mike Caliendo

Wild card: Pete Nygra**

If Hunter Nourzad and C.J. Hansen aren’t going to take a step forward, I’d like to see the Chiefs load up at the tackle spot. Benson and Pole can both kick inside in a pinch. I still think it’ll be a big failure if Kansas City can’t find someone to unseat Caliendo. That’s where Nygra comes in. He’s seen a steady rise from third-string guard to second-string guard at training camp. A good preseason could be exactly what he needs to establish himself as interior depth.

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Defense: 23

Defensive line: 8

EDGE: 5

• George Karlaftis
• Felix Anudike-Uzomah
• Ashton Gillotte
• R Mason Thomas*
• Emmanuel Ogbah

Defensive tackle: 3 (If Omarr Norman-Lott starts on the Reserve/PUP).

• Chris Jones
• Khyiris Tonga
• Peter Woods*

Wild card: Marcus Harris & Ethan Hurkett**

This would probably be the lightest the Chiefs have gone on the D-Line in a hot minute. Harris could definitely make the decision tough. He’s been the clear No. 4 interior D-Lineman in camp so far. Ethan Hurkett has also seemed motivated during his second stint with the team. Anudike-Uzomah, Gillotte, and Ogbah can give you some reps inside on pass-rushing downs. If Omarr Norman-Lott starts the season on the Reserve/PUP list, this could definitely make some sense for Kansas City.

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Linebacker: 5

• Nick Bolton
• Drue Tranquill
• Cooper McDonald
• Jeff Bassa
• Jack Cochrane

Wild card: No one

I really want to think Christiansen, Arnold, or Bissainthe would make Brett Veach think twice about the linebacker position. This group is really, really weak, in my opinion. I wouldn’t be shocked if they tried to make a waiver claim or sign a veteran free agent closer to Week 1. That’s especially the case if they get another injury here.

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Defensive backs: 10

Cornerbacks: 5

• Mansoor Delane*
• Nohl Williams
• L’Jarius Sneed
• Jadon Canady*
• Melvin Smith Jr.

Safety: 5

• Alohi Gilman
• Chamarri Conner
• Jaden Hicks
• Chris Roland-Wallace
• Xavier Nwankpa**

Wild cards: Kristian Fulton & Xavier Nwankpa**

I am still not sold on Fulton being on the Week 1 roster. The savings you get by trading or cutting him are too enticing when there are other players who are more reliable and could turn into long-term solutions. Nwankpa is the only undrafted defensive back that I see sticking in 2026. He’s made some plays at training camp and has real special teams value. With Chris Roland-Wallace also playing slot, he feels like a no-brainer.

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Special teams: 3

Kicker: Harrison Butker

Punter: Matt Araiza

Long snapper: James Winchester

Wild card: None

No competition within this group, so it’s pretty straightforward for Kansas City.