Top 25 Chiefs of 2026: Ranking Every Player Based on Impact

The Kansas City Chiefs had a laundry list of problems a season ago, and one of them was that their roster clearly wasn't talented enough. While general manager Brett Veach had the foundational pieces in place for a championship, the supporting cast was lackluster at best.

This offseason, Veach and his staff went to work and have since reshaped the team. Injections of young, high-upside talent took place on both sides of the ball, whether via free agency or the 2026 NFL Draft. Where does the updated group stack up?

That's what Chiefs On SI is looking to answer. This offseason, we'll be rolling out a ranking of the top 25 Chiefs for this coming campaign. Each day will feature a new player profile until the entire group is revealed. Refer to this central hub to see which players make the cut.

Without further ado, let's dive into a breakdown of the 2026 Chiefs roster and a list of the best players on the team.

Defensive Breakdown

Believe it or not, defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo is already entering his eighth year with the Chiefs. He maintains his normal 4-3 scheme, led by tackle Chris Jones up front and linebacker Nick Bolton at the next level. After an offseason of shakeups, though, there could be new dynamics on that side of the ball.

Last year's No. 12 ranking in EPA per play may have been misleading. Spagnuolo lacked the horses on the defensive line to not blitz at a video game-like level, and the play-action game absolutely ate Kansas City up. This group had serious shortcomings in talent, growing stale at times as a result.

For better or worse, the secondary is extremely different from 2025-26's. Gone are two starting cornerbacks and a key safety. As far as the pass rush is concerned, rookies Peter Woods and R Mason Thomas are fun, moldable pieces for Spagnuolo to work with.

It remains to be seen whether these alterations will pan out. One can't say the Chiefs didn't try to improve on defense, though.

Offensive Breakdown

This side of the ball is much more similar to last year's collection of players. Four of the five starting offensive linemen are back, as is future Hall of Fame man Travis Kelce at tight end. At the receiver spot, the trio of Rashee Rice, Xavier Worthy and Tyquan Thornton returns. What's different, then?

The run game, and for good reason. Kansas City lacked any remnant of explosiveness in 2024 or 2025, so Isiah Pacheco and Kareem Hunt are both out. In is Kenneth Walker III, who is already making a good impression.

Upside is there for this unit, but it'll take a lot going the right way. That starts with quarterback Patrick Mahomes bouncing back from a torn ACL and LCL, as well as the coaches around Walker helping him be his best self. That's without even mentioning Rice staying out of trouble and getting back to full health.

Crazier things have happened, but this is a dice roll and a bank on head coach Andy Reid being able to make up for some things.

Special Teams Breakdown

As long as Dave Toub is a Chiefs employee, there will be a bit more roster control handed to him than most other special teams coordinators. Expect the last handful of spots on the team to be heavily influenced by him. For Kansas City's sake, the organization will hope the results align.

Kicker Harrison Butker has been a shell of himself for a bit, but he fell from such immense heights that even league-average production is far from a doomsday scenario. At punter, Matt Araiza is returning for another year and improved with more time under Toub's tutelage.

Veteran James Winchester is also inked to a one-year deal again, establishing some consistency for the kicking and punting operations. Special teams is where some underrated veterans or fiery first-year men could find snaps once the regular season begins.

Ranking the Top 25 Kansas City Chiefs in 2026

1) QB Patrick Mahomes: Even coming off of a torn ACL that ended an already-frustrating season, Mahomes remains Kansas City's crown jewel.
2) C Creed Humphrey: While Humphrey is no longer the highest-paid center in the NFL, he's still the best at his position. He's perhaps the most consistent player on the Chiefs, presenting them with tremendous value as he enters his sixth professional campaign.
3) DT Chris Jones: Opinions on Jones' 2025-26 season vary, but there's no denying that he's still an elite pass rusher. He must fight off Father Time, though, to avoid an interesting contract decision next offseason.
4) TE Travis Kelce: Even as he enters his age-37 season, Kelce remains one of the best and most important members of an ever-changing Chiefs offense.
5) RB Kenneth Walker III: The Chiefs made a significant splash by signing Walker to a multiyear contract this offseason. Even if the absolute ceiling of the Walker era isn't reached, he'll serve as a huge upgrade over the club's recent personnel at halfback.
6) RG Trey Smith: Smith has been a tremendous success story for the Chiefs, but after an injury-riddled 2025, the team needs his best again this season.
7) LT Josh Simmons: Simmons' availability in 2025 was spotty, but the first-round pick flashed a star-level ceiling when on the field. Can his sophomore effort see him blossom into a legitimate franchise cornerstone?
8) WR Rashee Rice: Following another abbreviated season and more off-the-field developments, Rice's future in Kansas City seems murky at best. Can he provide the team some clarity via a career year in 2026?
9) DE George Karlaftis: Despite playing through a hand injury for most of the year, Karlaftis turned in a solid fourth season with the Chiefs. If he can level up one more time, it could bail out the defense after minimal legitimate investment at EDGE during the offseason.
10) CB Mansoor Delane: It may be surprising to see a rookie inside of the Chiefs' top 10, but the team's investment in Delane leaves no doubt; he's expected to be one of the faces of Kansas City's new-look defense.
11) LG Kingsley Suamataia: This time a year ago, Suamataia's future was in doubt after a disastrous rookie campaign. Following an impressive sophomore season, he's now a foundational piece of Kansas City's offensive line.
12) WR Xavier Worthy: After being a couple of close calls away from a truly promising rookie year, everything seemed to go wrong for Worthy in 2025. The Chiefs desperately need him to get back on track in year No. 3.
13) LB Nick Bolton: Bolton may be Spagnuolo's favorite defender, but his obvious strengths haven't entirely outweighed a few shortcomings in his NFL career so far. For better or for worse, Bolton's future in Kansas City could hinge on his 2026 season.
14) S Alohi Gilman: The Chiefs are rolling the dice on a new top safety, and Gilman is an intriguing fit as someone who always seems to be around the football — something the defense has sorely missed in recent years.
15) DT Khyiris Tonga: While he doesn't offer much of an impact as a pass rusher, Khyiris Tonga's ability to anchor down and be a reliable run defender is something the Chiefs desperately missed a year ago. He raises the defensive tackle group's floor in a big way.
16) LB Drue Tranquill: Most would consider Tranquill a coverage piece and lackluster run defender, but he was the opposite in many regards last year. On a renegotiated contract, will he be productive again in what could be his last season in town?
17) P Matt Araiza: Araiza experienced quite a bit of year-over-year growth in his second season with the Chiefs. If there's another leap in the cards, he could push for being a top-10 punter in the sport.
18) DB Chamarri Conner: Most Chiefs fans probably don't know that Conner led the Chiefs in defensive snaps taken in 2025. Still, Conner's specific usage was also part of the problem. Has the team shown an outline for a new plan in '26?
19) RT Jaylon Moore: After an in-and-out first season with the Chiefs, is Moore ready to earn Kansas City's fifth starting O-line spot? Even if he's the "weak link" in the starting five, Moore has proven that he's a true professional.
20) DT Peter Woods: There's no denying that Woods has a sky-high ceiling if everything goes right. K.C. is taking a first-round gamble on that occurring, but how long will it take for the answer to reveal itself?
21) CB Nohl Williams: Williams undoubtedly flashed upside as a rookie. In a new-look Chiefs cornerback room, is he ready to make a second-year leap and be a full-time starter?
22) WR Tyquan Thornton: The Chiefs' wide receiver room has been the topic of much consternation this offseason. If Thornton can reach his full potential in 2026, he could be exactly what the offense needs from their No. 3 receiver.
23) K Harrison Butker: Butker was once regarded as perhaps the second-best kicker in the sport. He started last season poorly but got going in a big way down the stretch, so which version of him is the real one? That's what the Chiefs must find out in 2026-27.
24) DE Ashton Gillotte: Gillotte is massively important as a likely starter in a defensive end room with plenty of unknowns. Can Gillotte take another step in his second season?
25) CB Kristian Fulton: Fulton experienced a down year in his first season as a Chief, but uncertainty about the floor of the cornerback room — and the youth of it at the top — could see the former second-round pick stick around and perhaps even earn a starting job.

Sign up to our free newsletter and follow us on Facebook, X and Instagram for the latest news.

Add us as a preferred source on Google