2 hidden gems on Chiefs’ 2026 roster you need to know

Story by

Story by
2 hidden gems on Chiefs’ 2026 roster you need to know

Douglas Fritz, ClutchPoints · ClutchPoints

Tue, Jun 2, 2026 ·

4 min read

About Our Ads

appeared first on ClutchPoints . Add ClutchPoints as a Preferred Source by clicking here .

There is a prediction that Kansas City Chiefs star Patrick Mahomes will return to MVP form this year. It will help if he has a top weapon . Also, one of his receivers is one of two hidden gems on the Chiefs' 2026 roster that you need to know.

That player is Tyquan Thornton . He's a four-year veteran who has yet to make a key impact in the NFL. But that could change this season.

The other player is a cornerback, who has been pressed into a bigger role because of a trade and free agency.

Chiefs WR Tyquan Thornton eyeing a surprise season

In his rookie season in 2022 with the Patriots, Thornton showed a little spark with 22 catches and two scores. He also started nine games. However, over the next two years, he totaled only four starts, had 17 catches, and didn't find the end zone.

Things changed when he arrived in Kansas City . He only had four starts, but managed 19 catches for a career-high 438 yards. He also set a personal mark with three touchdowns. And his yards per target doubled his previous best.

The connection with Mahomes was real. And the Chiefs have moved into the three-wide starting lineup. They signed him to a two-year, $11 million contract that could be worth a maximum value of up to $14 million, according to a post on X by Mike Garafolo.

The stage is set for someone to emerge in the Chiefs' receiver room, according to Bleacher Report.

" Rashee Rice was practically Kansas City's only dependable wideout in 2025, and he's recovering from knee surgery while serving a 30-day jail term tied to a probation violation," Kristopher Knox wrote. " Xavier Worthy , Tyquan Thornton, Jalen Royals , Nikko Remigio , and rookie Cyrus Allen will all be competing for roles in camp."

And Chiefs head coach Andy Reid is standing in Thornton's corner, according to chiefswire.com.

"I like Tyquan (Thornton), I like the way he's approached things," Reid said last year. "He's got the quarterback's trust, which is a positive thing."

Chiefs CB Nohl Williams has a big chance

A third-round pick in 2025, Williams showed promise during his rookie season. He drew five starting assignments and defended seven passes. Also, he showed toughness by totaling 48 tackles.

Now, he's a full-time starter. The Chiefs traded Trent McDuffie and lost Jaylen Watson in free agency.

"Fans should also expect a jump from cornerback Nohl Williams," Knox wrote. (He allowed) an opposing passer rating of 82.9 across 17 games with five starts."

Williams' numbers from Pro Football Focus show reasons why the Chiefs are comfortable with him starting.

"(Williams) earned a 74.5 overall PFF defensive grade in the 2025 season, 15th among 114 qualified cornerbacks," PFF wrote. "His PFF coverage grade of 75.6 ranked 12th among 114 qualified cornerbacks. His run-defense grade of 74.7 ranked 19th at the position."

That's good, good, and good. In fact, those numbers and rankings hint at stardom. Even as early as year two.

Making things better for Williams is that opposing offenses won't be able to pepper him with pass attempts. He has a rookie running mate on the other side in Mansoor Delane. NFL teams will want to test Delane early, giving Williams time to find a comfort zone.

Overall, Williams is getting a lot of publicity despite being called the team's best-kept secret by Bleacher Report.

"The Kansas City Chiefs have a successful history of drafting mid-round defensive backs, developing them and eventually featuring them in the secondary," Brent Sobleski wrote. "Nohl Williams is next in line after a promising rookie campaign."

However, Williams will have to work to keep his starting role. The Chiefs also drafted Jadon Canady out of Oregon in the fourth round. And Canady showed NFL promise in college despite physical shortcomings , according to The Athletic.

"Canady is undersized and underpowered, which shows in both phases," Dane Brugler wrote. "But his urgent athleticism and decisive reactions help ease those question marks. He can provide immediate depth at nickel for an NFL team.

"Canady has been up and down over his career, but played his most confident ball as a senior. He keeps plays in front of him and stays dialed in, with his eyes in the right place. Though his ball skills are a tad inconsistent, he has a good feel for body positioning to compete versus size. His marginal strength as a tackler is a concern, but he doesn't lack physicality."

If Williams and Thornton reach their potential in the 2026 season, this is going to help the Chiefs get back to their status as a Super Bowl threat.

Mobilize your Website

View Site in Mobile | Classic

Share by: