The Kansas City Chiefs are set to face the Seattle Seahawks in Week 3 of the 2026 NFL preseason. It’ll be the final step in the team’s evaluation of the 90-man roster ahead of roster cuts on Aug. 30.

In this particular projection, I’m going to outline what I would do if I were in Brett Veach’s shoes. I’ll also be providing one waiver wire target at each position group who find themselves on the roster bubble with other NFL clubs. Keep an eye out for our final 53-man roster prediction following the preseason Week 3 game.

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

Offense: 26

Quarterbacks: 3

• Patrick Mahomes
• Justin Fields
• Garrett Nussmeier*

Cut: Chris Oladokun

The why: I think the Kansas City Chiefs roll with three quarterbacks this season. I believe they have plans for how they’ll use Fields that haven’t been revealed yet. Andy Reid and Fields have played coy when asked about him doing anything other than playing QB. My guess is that they’ve got a Fields package that uses him alongside Mahomes or as a threat in the ground game. Nussmeier stays at the QB3 spot this year, but likely takes over at QB2 in 2027.

Waiver wire target to watch: Broncos QB Sam Ehlinger

Ehlinger trains with Bobby Stroupe (Mahomes’ trainer) in Texas. If Denver faces a roster crunch and doesn’t go with three quarterbacks on the active roster, he could wind up on waivers. The only reason to add a player like Ehlinger is if you have confidence in Nussmeier at QB2 and somebody trades for Fields.

---

Running backs: 4

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

Cut: Jaydn Ott**, EJ Smith**

The why: I’m going with four running backs, with Smith as the team’s primary return specialist. Emari Demercado is likely the team’s best pass-blocker at running back and a solid change-up to Walker. I think he’s thick enough to play a short-yardage role as well. This could make Johnson a game-day scratch initially, but it’s a small price to pay to keep this backfield at its best.

Waiver wire target to watch: Rams RB Dean Conners

The Chiefs saw Conners score two touchdowns on them in preseason Week 1. If they see him as an upgrade as a return specialist/receiving back combination, he could be on their radar.

---

Tight ends: 4

• Travis Kelce
• Noah Gray
• Jake Briningstool
• Tre Watson

IR: John Michael Gyllenborg**
Trade: Jared Wiley
Cut: Mason Pline

The why: If I could splice together Wiley, Briningstool, and Watson, I’d be a lot closer to a complete player. Watson is their best blocker outside of Kelce. Briningstool is a good long-term developmental play as a pass catcher. See if you can recoup the 2028 Day 3 pick you just traded away for Wiley.

Waiver wire target to watch: Bills TE Keleki Latu

Latu is likely the odd-man-out in a strong tight end room. He had 25 run-blocking snaps in the first two weeks of preseason play, and has the sixth-highest run-blocking grade in the league per PFF. On three pass-blocking snaps, he has allowed no pressures.

---

Wide receivers: 6

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

IR: Jeff Caldwell**
Cut: Nikko Remigio, Jimmy Holiday, Jason Brownlee, Jacob De Jesus**, Omari Evans**, Xavier Loyd**, Jeff Weimer**

The why: I don’t see the value in rostering Nikko Remigio purely for his play at return specialist. It’d be one thing if he was dynamic, but he lacks that top-end gear. Andrew Armstrong should get in over him based on his run-blocking alone.

Waiver wire target to watch: Browns WR Cedric Tillman

Tillman was cut this morning by the Browns. Kansas City Chiefs WRs coach Chad O’Shea was with him for his entire career in Cleveland. That includes his best season in 2024 when he caught 29 passes for over 330 yards and three touchdowns. He’s listed at 6-foot-3 and 215 pounds, which gives the Chiefs another big body. The big question is whether he can stay healthy.

---

Offensive line: 9

• Josh Simmons
• Kingsley Suamataia
• Creed Humphrey
• Trey Smith
• Jaylon Moore
• Kahlil Benson**
• Hunter Nourzad
• Joshua Ezeudu
• Esa Pole

Cut: Mike Caliendo, C.J. Hansen, Ethan Driskell, Pete Nygra**, Josh Thompson**, Kellen Diesch, Chu Godrick

The why: After the move to add Joshua Ezeudu, the Chiefs could still look for more upgrades for their O-Line depth. I think it’s going to be hard to find help at tackle. With the uncertainty surrounding Josh Simmons’ back injury, I am keeping five players who can play tackle.

Waiver wire target to watch: Ravens C/G Corey Bullock

Bullock was recently activated from the NFI list. He’s appeared in two preseason games, boasting a top-3 pass-blocking grade with PFF in 29 snaps. The Ravens signed Ethan Pocic and have Danny Pinter on the roster at center. They’ve got some other pieces standing out at tackle and guard. If the Chiefs want to keep upgrading their interior offensive line, this is a player to watch.

---

Defense: 24

Defensive line: 9

EDGE: 5

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

Defensive tackle: 4

• Chris Jones
• Khyiris Tonga
• Peter Woods*
• Marcus Harris

Reserve/PUP: Omarr Norman-Lott

IR: Ethan Downs
Cut: Amari McNeil**, Cole Brevard**, Daron Payne**, VJ Anthony**, Ethan Hurkett**, Tyreke Smith, Niles King

The why: I think I am probably higher on this group than most. Anudike-Uzomah and Thomas can hold down the fort opposite Karlaftis while Gillott gets healthy and Ogbah gets in football shape. If the latter doesn’t appear to be trending in the right direction in preseason Week 3, they can definitely find a way to improve on the margins.

Waiver wire target to watch: Bills DE Mike Danna

The Chiefs should use the waiver wire for upgrades. Knowing their preference toward players they’re familiar with, Danna makes all the sense in the world. If Gillotte winds up missing time or Ogbah just doesn’t hack it, for instance. Danna has had a solid preseason in Buffalo with five pressures, including two sacks.

---

Linebacker: 5

• Nick Bolton
• Drue Tranquill
• Sign: Bobby Okereke
• Cooper McDonald
• Jeff Bassa

IR: Jack Cochrane (Return)
Cut: Cam Jones, Kam Arnold, Wesley Bissainthe**, Cole Christiansen

The why: I still think this position group is one of the team’s biggest weaknesses. I’m grabbing former Giants LB Bobby Okereke in free agency. He’s still available, which makes me think he’s either not healthy or asking for too much money. Still, he’s probably an upgrade over McDonald and Bassa. He has experience at MIKE and both OLB spots. He has four seasons with 130 or more tackles.

Roster bubble player to watch: Packers LB Nick Niemann

Brother to former Chiefs LB Ben Niemann. Nick has carved out a solid NFL career as a depth linebacker and special teamer (nearly 1500 career special teams snaps). He has appeared in 71 career games, starting three of them. He’s recorded 97 tackles, three pass breakups, an interception and a fumble recovery.

---

Defensive backs: 10

Cornerbacks: 5

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

Safety: 5

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

Traded: Kristian Fulton, Kader Kohou
Cut: Kevin Knowles, Kaiir Elam, Zelmar Vedder**, D’Arco Perkins-McCallister**, Tanner McCallister, DeShon Singleton**

The why: I think enough teams have cornerback needs that the Chiefs could ship off both Kohou and Fulton. I just don’t think you’ll get much more than conditional picks or late Day 3 selections in return for either. With Sneed back in the fold, I feel like your last two cornerbacks need to be multi-phase special teamers. Smith Jr. and Canady fit that mold.

Waiver wire target to watch: Bears CB Terrell Smith

Injuries have been a detriment to Smith’s career, but the former fifth-round draft pick is still talented. If he can stay healthy, he has what it takes to be a multi-phase special-teamer and key depth piece. A fresh start might be in order for him to reach his potential.

---

Special teams: 3

Kicker: Harrison Butker

Punter: Matt Araiza

Long snapper: James Winchester

Cut: None

The why: For the third time, there’s no competition within this group, so it’s pretty straightforward for Kansas City.

Waiver wire target to watch: Colts K Spencer Shrader

I don’t particularly think that the Chiefs will bring in competition for Harrison Butker. Insurance on the practice squad? That’s a different story. If Shrader gets cut, I doubt Kansas City would claim him. If Butker has another scuffed preseason outing against the Seattle Seahawks? A spot on the practice squad for Shrader, who kicked for Kansas City in November of 2024 when Butker dealt with injury, could make sense.