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The Kansas City Chiefs Rookie Class is Raising Their Ceiling
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- The Kansas City Chiefs Rookie Class is Raising Their Ceiling
Brett Veach has always been a good evaluator of talent as general manager of the Kansas City Chiefs. His roster building is a huge reason why the Chiefs have won three Super Bowls in the last seven years. Even with that, this offseason may be one of his best jobs yet. And it goes beyond the massive Kenneth Walker III signing.
The Chiefs rookie class has been one of the best in football through five games. Up and down the roster, Kansas City has gotten contributions both big and small from their rookies. They wouldn't be 4-0 without them.
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Sixth-overall pick Mansoor Delane has looked the part of the next elite Chief corner. With Trent McDuffie and Jaylen Watson gone, Delane has stepped in and provided consistency. He's a great tackler who always seems to be in the right spot. And his length has really bothered opposing receivers. He's been a home run pick so far.
Peter Woods was the other first-round pick this year, and he's improving every week. While the overall numbers aren't eye-popping, Woods has flashed high-level play on the defensive line. The Chiefs are hoping he can be the long-term replacement for Chris Jones. He has the talent to do so.
Second-round pick R Mason Thomas has looked good in limited reps. With the pass rush struggling, he may get more run in coming weeks. Fifth-round running back Emmett Johnson is playing a big role in the offense. As a receiving back, he's fit right into Andy Reid's system. He looks like a steal for Veach.
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Finally, undrafted lineman Kahlil Benson has been the starter at left tackle all season. He's been fantastic in the run game and helped keep Patrick Mahomes clean. He may end up being one of the biggest steals in the entire class by the time it's all said and done. Even when Josh Simmons is healthy, Benson has a strong case to keep his starting role.
With the Chiefs core getting older, they desperately needed a strong rookie class to provide the next foundation. It's only four games, but the early returns are very promising for this class. Veach has proven that he's still one of the best talent evaluators in the sport.
As long as Mahomes is around, the goal in Kansas City will always be to win a Super Bowl. That goal may have seemed far-fetched entering the season given how last year went. It's now well within reach, and the rookie class is a huge reason why.
This story was originally published by Athlon on Oct 14, 2026, where it first appeared in the NFL section. Add Athlon as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
