3 offensive standouts from the Panini Senior Bowl game who perfectly fit the Kansas City Chiefs
The Chiefs had to love what they saw in the Senior Bowl game.
Missing the postseason for the first time in the Patrick Mahomes era is not something the Kansas City Chiefs want to repeat. There’s significant work ahead to return, and part of that will be through the 2026 NFL Draft.
As the saying goes, the draft starts at the Senior Bowl, now titled the Panini Senior Bowl. After a week of practices and the Saturday game, the Chiefs identified several players who impressed them. Postgame, three offensive standouts clearly match the Chiefs’ needs. We break down these players with help from Rob Gregson of A to Z Sports, who was on site all week.
3 Senior Bowl standouts who fit the Chiefs
Mike Washington Jr, RB, Arkansas Razorbacks
The former Arkansas Razorbacks RB is the biggest RB at the Senior Bowl, and yet he reached the highest speed of any player not named Davison Igbinosun of the Ohio State Buckeyes. We are talking about a 6’2, 230-pound running back who reached a top speed of 21 miles per hour. He played great in the Senior Bowl game, rushing five times for 29 yards and a big nine-yard run in which he and some offensive linemen drove him closer and closer to the goalline with defenders pushing back. Washington was great all week, and can be the back that the Chiefs desperately need.
J’Mari Taylor, RB, Virginia Cavaliers
Outside of Oklahoma Sooners RB Jaydn Ott, who has some injury concerns the Xhiefs may not want to take a risk on, Taylor was the best RB in the Senior Bowl game. Taylor rushed three times for 41 yards, including a big 24-yard run. He was great at hitting the gaps he needed to hit, while also having elite contact balance. His footwork while hitting gaps is exactly what you want from a guy who will be running between the tackles in zone schemes. Taylor also has some traits that make you think he can be a great receiving back at the next level, too. He was great, and he also fits what the Chiefs need.
Josh Cuevas, TE, Alabama Crimson Tide
Cuevas is a classic mid-round tight end who didn’t have a ton of production, but you look up in a few years, and he’s a solid contributor in the NFL. He’s no Kenyon Sadiq in the passing game, but there was the Alabama offense with Cuevas, and the one without. You could see a regression in the Crimson Tide’s ability to attack the middle of the field and make plays in rhythm when Cuevas wasn’t out there. He’s a stretch, move tight end that can get vertical and make tough grabs over the middle at the next level, in my opinion. He’s a high-character player whose effort matches his skill set, and the kind of player that would thrive in an Andy Reid-led offense. – Rob Gregson
Kansas City Chiefs News
Kansas City Chiefs have unique advantage in 2026 NFL Draft after contributing to pair of Senior Bowl’s biggest success stories
The Kansas City Chiefs got some hands-on experience with some of the biggest standouts at the 2026 Senior Bowl.
