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The Kansas City Chiefs (3-0) took care of business on Sunday. They dispatched the Miami Dolphins (0-3) 24-10 in front of a road stadium packed to the brim with red shirts and jerseys.
Several Chiefs delivered strong performances in the win. Both sides of the ball worked in sync to help Kansas City return home with a perfect record. The initial Pro Football Focus grades highlighted which players stood out from the pack. Here's a look at the five highest-graded Chiefs from PFF's initial grades.
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Noah Gray (82.5)
Jul 29, 2026; St. Joseph, MO, USA; Kansas City Chiefs tight end Noah Gray (83) walks down the hill to the practice fields during training camp at Missouri Western State University. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-Imagn Images
Gray was the highest-ranked player in the entire game after his best performance of the 2026 season. The Chiefs' sixth-year tight end played 33 snaps on Sunday, catching three passes for 39 yards. That included an impressive back-shoulder 24-yard reception in the fourth quarter.
The 26-year-old has played in Travis Kelce 's shadow for his entire career. But he's been a quality contributor in this offense for years. He showed what he brings to the table in this win.
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Patrick Mahomes (79.3)
Sep 27, 2026; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) passes the ball against the Miami Dolphins during the second quarter at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
Mahomes turned in a vintage performance on Sunday. He completed 20-of-24 passes for 246 yards and two touchdowns. The one interception on his ledger came on a dropped pass that bounced up in the air. Outside of that, he was almost perfect on the afternoon.
The two-time MVP is still working his way back to full health after an ACL tear last December. With each game, Mahomes is looking more and more like himself. That's a dangerous sight for the rest of the NFL.
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Kenneth Walker III (78.6)
Sep 27, 2026; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Kansas City Chiefs running back Kenneth Walker III (9) scores a touchdown against the Miami Dolphins during the second quarter at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
On paper, this wasn't a fantastic game for Walker. He finished with 18 carries for 70 yards, averaging 3.9 yards per carry. However, a look under the hood reveals another strong game for the new Chiefs running back.
He forced over 12 missed tackles for the third game in a row, according to NextGen Stats, making the most of a difficult situation. And he found the end zone twice against Miami . If this is considered a bad performance for Walker just based on the box score, he's in for a huge year.
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Chris Jones (77.9)
Sep 20, 2026; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Chiefs defensive tackle Chris Jones (95) reacts after a play against the Indianapolis Colts during the fourth quarter at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images
Jones was the highest-graded Kansas City defender in this game. He didn't make a huge impact on the stat sheet, registering two total tackles and a pass defense. But Jones was stout defending the run.
He led the way for the Chiefs' defensive line, which held Miami to 119 rushing yards. After De'Von Achane left injured early in the game, Ollie Gordon II found no room to run. He had 17 carries for just 41 yards. Jones was in the mix all afternoon, drawing attention so his teammates could make plays. This was a well-deserved grade for the longtime Chief.
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Jaden Hicks (75.9)
Sep 27, 2026; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Kansas City Chiefs defensive back Jaden Hicks (21) breaks up a pass intended for Miami Dolphins wide receiver Kevin Coleman Jr. (21) during the third quarter at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
Hicks played all 68 defensive snaps on Sunday and showed why he's such a trusted member of the secondary. The 24-year-old safety had seven total tackles and an impressive pass defense in the third quarter.
The Chiefs shuffled around their secondary this offseason, but prioritized keeping Hicks heavily involved. He's paying off the organization's trust in him this season, providing consistent play through three games.
This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Sep 28, 2026, where it first appeared in the NFL section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
