Tracking the Kansas City Chiefs’ formal meetings with NFL draft prospects at the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine
The Kansas City Chiefs have held formal meetings with several prospects at the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine.
The Kansas City Chiefs have already begun meeting with a new wave of draft prospects at the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis, Indiana.
While teams will meet informally with virtually every prospect they want to at the combine, the formal interview process is where the front office and coaching staff really get their first impressions of these prospects.
Formal meetings at the combine are longer, structured, sit-down meetings with multiple members of an organization. The Chiefs will typically have Andy Reid in the room, the offensive or defensive coordinator, the position coach, Brett Veach, and an area scout in the meetings at a minimum. With Coach Reid recovering from offseason knee surgery, expect Eric Bieniemy and assistant HC Dave Toub to be his sit-in on the offensive coaching side of things.
Some of these interviews occur so teams can learn more about medical issues or character concerns. In contrast, others are about better understanding the type of player a particular prospect is and whether they’ll fit the scheme and culture in Kansas City. They’ll get to know their football IQ and knowledge by having them break down plays on the whiteboard as an exercise. Many coaches and scouts also want to know how they handle feedback and criticism when they get something wrong. These are the parts of the meetings that Brett Veach says can have a real impact on how they assemble their draft board.
“Talking football,” Veach said. “Every position group is different, right? I’m sure most GMs would tell you that, and most coaching staffs will tell you that. There are certain positions – how they process information. Now look, this is only 20 minutes, so we’re not going to throw a kid up there or destroy a kid, but it’s a start. Then, you have your informal time here, you have potentially formal time here, you have Zoom opportunities now, and then you have in-house 30 visits, and our coach can go visit them. I think sometimes when there’s a question, I don’t think anything’s determined here, I think it’s part of the process. We had a couple of guys yesterday, with just the football knowledge stuff we weren’t sure on, they nailed it, and we were really impressed. (It’s) only 20 minutes, so on the other side there, we’re going to make sure that is what it is. Our college scouts do a great job of painting the picture and having me, the coaching staff, and everyone in that room prepped for – here’s the player and here’s the background situation, here’s where he’s from and here are the things – some of these guys are smart, they just don’t articulate it well. It’s just seeing the whole puzzle piece come together. Like I said, I don’t think we take a bunch of names off, but it’s just a pathway to keep digging and get as much information as possible.”
Teams are permitted only 45 formal interviews, and the Chiefs typically use them on players they regard highly. In 2024, for instance, the team met formally with first-round draft pick Xavier Worthy. In 2025, they met with a number of players selected in the top-75 picks of the draft.
With all that in mind, here’s a look at the prospects the Chiefs have met with at the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine. Remember, as media members interview prospects, this living document will grow throughout the week. Check back for features on each player in the future.
Chiefs 2026 NFL Scouting Combine Formal Interview Tracker
Miami DE Rueben Bain Jr.
Listed at 6-foot-3 and 275 pounds, Bain Jr. is widely regarded as one of the top prospects in the 2026 NFL Draft class. In three seasons with the Hurricanes, Bain Jr. put up 33.5 tackles for loss and 20.5 sacks. At the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine, he’ll have to overcome concerns about his arm length, which is expected to come in sub-30 inches.
“I felt like I had a real strong interview,” Bain Jr. said, via KC Star columnist Sam McDowell.
Texas Tech DE David Bailey
The top pure pass-rusher in the 2026 NFL Draft class, Bailey spent a season at Patrick Mahomes’ alma mater in 2025. His 19.5 tackles for loss and 14.5 sacks in 2025 led the Big 12 conference. He’s listed at just under 6-foot-3 and 238 pounds, which is a bit undersized for Steve Spagnuolo’s liking. Many believe he’d be a strong fit as a 3-4 outside linebacker compared to a 4-3 defensive end.
“Yeah, I have met with the Kansas City Chiefs,” Bailey said. “A great team, a great staff. I really enjoyed my meeting there. I’d be honored to rush alongside Chris Jones.”
“It was just a comfortable meeting, I felt comfortable with them,” Bailey said, via KC Star beat reporter Pete Sweeney. “They were extremely personal, we talked a little bit of ball. I just felt comfortable. I didn’t feel stressed at all. They made me feel welcome.”
Michigan DE/LB Jaishawn Barham
Listed at 6-foot-4 and 243 pounds, Barham recorded 194 total tackles, 20.5 tackles for loss, and 12 sacks over four seasons, two with Maryland and two with Michigan. In his first season with the Wolverines in 2024, Barham made the switch to off-ball linebacker. It became apparent that it wasn’t his natural position or fit, and Michigan moved him back to edge rusher in 2025, tapping into some unrealized potential. Former Michigan HC Sherrone Moore felt that Barham had first-round ability after his move to edge rusher.
Auburn DE Keldric Faulk
Listed at 6-foot-6 and 288 pounds, Faulk is the prototypical Steve Spagnuolo edge rusher type that Chiefs fans have come to know. Over three seasons at Auburn, Faulk amassed 109 total tackles, 19.5 tackles for loss, 10 sacks, one forced fumble, two fumble recoveries, and six passes batted. He’s going to be the typical traits-over-production pick that arises, and will have a chance to impress with his athleticism at the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine.
“Man, that’d be crazy dangerous,” Faulk said of a pairing him with Chiefs DT Chris Jones. “Like, Chris Jones is a freak athlete, and I kind of consider myself a freak athlete, too. If that happens, we’re going to be a dangerous duo.”
Clemson DT Peter Woods
Woods had 21 formal interviews scheduled, according to On3’s Pet Nakos, and A to Z Sports has confirmed the Chiefs are among those teams. Listed at 6-foot-3 and 310 pounds, Woods has recorded 83 total tackles, 14.5 tackles for loss, five sacks, two forced fumbles, and one pass batted over the past three seasons with Clemson. He earned First-Team All-ACC honors in 2025.
“I’m the type of guy that causes offensive coordinators to lose sleep at night planning for me,” Woods said. “They don’t know where I’m going to line up, where I’m going to be, but you’ve got to respect it. You’ve got to know where I am at all times. Like I said, I’m one of the best at shocking and shedding, getting rid of a man. I think that’s what our game is, to disrupt an offense.”
Tennessee CB Jermod McCoy
One of the most talented players in the 2026 NFL Draft, the 6-foot and 193-pound corner missed all of the 2025 college football season with an ACL injury suffered in January. Teams will want to meet with him because of those circumstances, especially knowing that he won’t participate in any on-field testing at the combine. McCoy grew up in West Texas and attended Whitehouse High School. He idolized Mahomes growing up because they were both multi-sport athletes.
“It was a great meeting,” McCoy said, via Ryan Linkletter. “I love the defense that they run. It would be great to play there. Pat and I went to the same high school.”
South Carolina CB Brandon Cisse
Listed at 6-foot and 190 pounds, Cisse plays bigger than his size. That’s especially the case in run defense, with 13 run stops during the 2025 college football season. In his lone season at South Carolina, Cisse recorded 27 total tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, one forced fumble, five passes defended, and one interception. He spent the previous two seasons at NC State. Look for Cisse to be one of the fastest cornerbacks at the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine.
“He’s a great defensive coordinator,” Cisse said of Steve Spagnuolo, via Ryan Linkletter. “A great defensive mind. Very versatile, seeing what he does with guys like Trent McDuffie. It’d be great. I had a great meeting with those guys…”
Duke CB Chandler Rivers
Listed at 5-foot-10 and 185 pounds, Rivers compares favorably to Chiefs CB Trent McDuffie in size and stature. In four seasons at Duke, Rivers amassed 223 tackles, 16 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, three forced fumbles, one fumble recovery, 29 passes defended, and seven interceptions.
“It was a pretty good meeting,” Rivers said of his formal with the Chiefs, via Ryan Linkletter.
He also mentioned that he models his game after Denver Broncos CB Pat Surtain II, Carolina Panthers CB Jaycee Horn, Washington Commanders CB Mike Sainristil, and San Francisco 49ers CB Upton Stout.
Arizona S Genesis Smith
Listed at 6-foot-2 and 202 pounds, Smith boasts prototypical size, speed, and range as a single-high safety. In three seasons with the Wildcats, Smith has amassed 164 total tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, four forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries, 14 passes defended, and five interceptions. He’s had a formal meeting with the Chiefs, per friend of the site Daniel Harms. Harms says Smith will not participate in the 40-yard dash after breaking his foot against Oklahoma State and playing through it all year.
USC S Kamari Ramsey
The Chiefs are one of five teams to have formal meetings with Ramsey at the combine, along with the Buffalo Bills, New England Patriots, Seattle Seahawks, and Indianapolis Colts. Listed at 6-foot and 205 pounds, Ramsey posted 87 total tackles, seven tackles for loss, two sacks, two forced fumbles, seven passes defended, and one interception over the past two seasons at USC.
Ohio State WR Carnell Tate
Listed at 6-foot-3 and 195 pounds, Tate’s biggest question mark heading into the league is whether he can be a No. 1 wide receiver at the next level. Over the past two seasons at Ohio State, Tate recorded 100 receptions for over 1600 yards and 13 touchdowns.
“I think I could bring a lot of opportunities to the Chiefs,” Tate said, via Ryan Linkletter. “Whether that’s down the field, contested catches, or winning 1-on-1 situations.”
“…I also bring it in the running game,” Tate said, via A to Z Sports’ Travis May. “A lot of receivers don’t do that. So, I’m able to attack the game with or without the ball in my hands.”
Arizona State WR Jordyn Tyson
Caught 136 passes for over 1,800 yards and 18 touchdowns in 21 games played over the past two seasons. Medicals are a major question mark for the 6-foot-2 and 200-pound wide receiver, which is why the Chiefs aren’t the only team to meet with him. He also had formal meetings with the New Orleans Saints, Cleveland Browns, New York Jets, Buffalo Bills, Seattle Seahawks, Baltimore Ravens, and Pittsburgh Steelers.
“I got to meet Eric Bieniemy,” Tyson said, via Ryan Linkletter. “That was really, really cool. They’re definitely a little old-school, I’d say. Which is not a bad thing, a great thing, actually. But yeah, it was pretty good.”
USC WR Makai Lemon
Production wasn’t a problem for Lemon at USC, with 137 catches for over 2000 yards and 14 touchdowns across 33 games played. Like Tate and Tyson, Lemon also faces a question heading into the NFL. He’s listed at 5-foot-11 and 195 pounds, but he’s expected to weigh in smaller at the combine. Some believe he’ll be relegated to playing only in the slot in the NFL, but he doesn’t seem to have those concerns.
“Anywhere I go on the field, I’m going to dominate,” Lemon said. “No matter if I’m inside, outside. No matter where I’m at, I’m going to do my best to that. If you put me on the field anywhere, you’re going to see it.”
Texas Tech WR Reggie Virgil
Listed at 6-foot-3 and 190 pounds, Virgil caught 57 passes for 705 yards and six touchdowns in one season at Texas Tech in 2025. The 2026 NFL Scouting Combine actually isn’t Virgil’s first encounter with the Chiefs and their coaching staff. Chiefs assistant QB coach Dan Williams coached Virgil at the Senior Bowl, and Patrick Mahomes apparently relayed a message to Virgil through Williams.
“Shoot, you know, that’d be everything,” Virgil said, via Ryan Linkletter. “Him being a (Texas) Tech guy, too. Just knowing, he reached out… I was at the Senior Bowl, and he told the assistant quarterbacks coach like, ‘Hey, Virgil’s a guy, for sure.’ Just knowing he thinks highly of me already, it’s cool. I’d definitely learn a lot and be a better player for sure.”
Tennessee WR Chris Brazzell II
Listed at 6-foot-5 and 200 pounds, Brazzell has some questions entering the league. He was very inconsistent catching the ball in 2024, but vastly improved his drop rate during his breakout 2025 campaign. His nine touchdowns in 2025 led the SEC among wide receivers. He is expected to run well at the combine as one of the elite separators vs. man coverage in the 2026 NFL Draft class.
“That would be great,” Brazzell said, via Ryan Linkletter. “That’s probably one of the best quarterbacks in the league. So, who would not want to play with Patrick Mahomes?”
Texas A&M WR KC Concepcion
Listed at 5-foot-11 and 190 pounds, Concepcion is expected to be a pre-draft riser thanks to his 2026 NFL Scouting Combine testing. In his lone season at Texas A&M, Concepcion recorded 71 touches for 994 total yards and 10 total touchdowns. He tied the aforementioned Chris Brazzell II for the SEC lead among receivers with nine receiving touchdowns.
“I had a pretty good meeting with the Chiefs,” Concepcion said, via KSHB-TV’s Matt Foster. “They brought up my versatility. They showed me plays inside receiver, outside receiver, running back, throwing the ball. I would love it. KC, you know, is my name. KC in KC kind of has a little ring to it.”
Missouri WR Kevin Coleman Jr.
One of the standouts at the Senior Bowl, Coleman Jr. is a speedster who thrives on elite short-area quickness. In his lone season at Missouri, the 5-foot-10 and 174-pound wideout recorded 66 catches for 732 yards and one receiving touchdown. He also has special teams value with 15 punt returns for 189 yards and one touchdown in 2025.
“It went well, it went great,” Coleman Jr. said, via Ryan Linkletter. “To play with a quarterback like that would be a dream come true. I had a couple of chances to go to a few games and watch (Patrick) Mahomes. I’ve been watching him since he came into the NFL. To catch a ball like that from a quarterback like him? It’d be a blessing.”
Notre Dame RB Jeremiyah Love
To little surprise, the Chiefs met formally with Love at the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine. He’s a prospect widely viewed as an instant fix for the Kansas City offense after setting career-high marks in yards (1,372), rushing touchdowns (18), yards per carry (6.9), receiving yards (280), and receiving touchdowns (3) in 2025. He also has a unique tie to the team.
“I did meet formally with the Chiefs,” Love said, via A to Z Sports’ Ryan Roberts. “You know, being able to join that system would mean a lot. Being able to join any system would mean a lot. The Chiefs in general, my RB coach, Deland McCullough, from my Freshman and Sophomore years at Notre Dame, he coached there and won a Super Bowl with them. So, it’d be cool in his eyes for me to go there and be able to play for Chiefs Kingdom, as he says. They’ve got a great coaching staff over there. I’d be blessed to go there.”
Washington RB Jonah Coleman
Coleman met formally with the Chiefs, per A to Z Sports’ Destin Adams. The 5-foot-9 and 220-pound running back is built like a bowling ball, and he plays like his hair is on fire. In the past two seasons at Washington, he’s amassed 349 carries for over 1,800 rushing yards and 25 rushing touchdowns. He added 54 catches for 531 yards and two receiving touchdowns.
“Kind of like that Clyde Edwards-Helaire-type, when CEH came into the league,” Coleman said, via Ryan Linkletter. “When he was playing with (Patrick) Mahomes, it was dominant the way he was able to catch out of the backfield. The way he was having success in the run game. It’d be something that’s amazing. I know the offensive coordinator, Coach Eric (Bieniemy), and DeMarco Murray, the running back coach. I watched him play, so it would be cool to be coached by him and be in the system.”
Miami OT Francis Mauigoa
A towering O-Line prospect at 6-foot-6 and 335 pounds, Mauigoa makes his money as a powerful run blocker, but don’t sleep on his ability as a pass protector as well. He allowed just 10 pressures, including two sacks, during the 2025 college football season. There will be a pretty strong debate regarding whether he’s a right tackle or offensive guard at the next level, but he seems to think he’ll fit what the Chiefs do.
“Oh, that’d be awesome,” Mauigoa said, via Ryan Linkletter. “I’ve been watching Pat Mahomes since four years ago. Oh man, it’s awesome. I mean, seeing what he does and how he operates as a quarterback, it gives the O-Line the leverage. I blocked for (Tennessee Titans QB) Cam Ward, and he runs around, so you’re blocking for 10 seconds. It didn’t bother me. If he makes plays, I’m all for it.”
The Chiefs have met with these players informally (or meeting type unconfirmed):
- Iowa State DT Dom Orange (via Sam McDowell)
- USC DE Anthony Lucas (via Ryan Linkletter)
- Penn State DE Dani Dennis-Sutton (via Ryan Linkletter)
- Utah LB Lander Barton (via Herbie Teope)
- Texas Tech DT Lee Hunter (via Arye Pulli)
- USC S Bishop Fitzgerald (via Ryan Linkletter)
- Kansas State S VJ Payne (via Mick Schaffer)
- Notre Dame TE Eli Raridon (via Ryan Linkletter)
- Penn State RB Kaytron Allen (via Ryan Linkletter)
- Penn State RB Nick Singleton (via Jeff Kerr)
- Nebraska RB Emmett Johnson (via Jackson Durham)
- Notre Dame RB Jadarian Price (via Jackson Durham)
- Wake Forest RB Demond Claiborne (via Sam Brown)
- Oregon WR Malik Benson (via Harold Kuntz)
- UCLA OT Garrett DiGiorgio (via Destin Adams)
More to come soon…