The Kansas City Chiefs brought in a ton of tryout players for this weekend's rookie minicamp. A current player on the team's roster is a reminder of why it matters.
The Kansas City
Chiefs have officially revealed their roster for this weekend's rookie minicamp, with 20 undrafted free agents signed
and a number in attendance for tryouts.
The Chiefs typically have a few tryout players make the 90-man offseason roster, but they have one recent success story worth noting. In 2025, TCU LB Cooper McDonald signed with the club
after a successful tryout. He didn't just make the 90-man roster, though. He went on to make the 53-man roster and is currently the favorite to take over the SAM linebacker spot vacated by Leo Chenal
.
With that in mind, here's a look at the rookie minicamp tryouts by position group.
TCU QB Ken Seals
Fresno State QB EJ Warner
It seems like LSU QB Garrett Nussmeier (pick No. 249) will be able to work, but the Chiefs need multiple quarterbacks to throw at these camps. It's worth noting that EJ Warner is the son of Pro Football Hall of Fame QB Kurt Warner.
Buffalo RB Al-Jay Henderson
UCLA RB Anthony Frias II
South Carolina RB Rahsul Faison
Kansas RB Daniel Hishaw
Virginia Tech RB Terion Stewart
When you consider that this group is supplementing RBs Emmett Johnson, Jaydn Ott , and EJ Smith, it's an abundance of riches for Kansas City. This might be the most competitive group that camp has to offer.
UConn TE Louis Hansen
Pitt TE Justin Holmes
Tulane TE Johnny Pascuzzi
Toledo TE Jacob Peterson
These players will join Wyoming's John Michael Gyllenborg at the Chiefs' rookie minicamp. The team didn't invest much in the tight end position this offseason, so there's some opportunity to be had here.
USC WR Jaden Richardson
Arizona WR Javon Wheatley
West Virginia WR Jeff Weimer
Missouri WR Xavier Loyd
Wisconsin WR Dekel Crowdus
The Chiefs also have WRs Cyrus Allen, Jeff Caldwell, Jacob De Jesus, and Omari Evans participating. Andrew Armstrong (reserve/future signing) is also eligible to participate.
Bowling Green OT Tunde Fatukasi
Pitt OT Jeff Persi
Florida State OT Micah Pettus
Indiana OT Kahlil Benson
Boise State OL Mason Randolph
International OT Felix Lepper
UCLA OT Reuben Unije
Louisville OL Mahamane Moussa
Carroll OT Andrew Devine
Southern Illinois OL Noah Fenske
Kentucky OG Josh Braun
Michigan OG Gio El-Hadi
BYU G Weylin Lapuaho
FIU G Julius Pierce
Oklahoma OL Derek Simmons
The Chiefs didn't add to the offensive line via the draft or free agency this year, so there's a ton of opportunity for these tryout players. Especially those at the tackle position. They'll be joined by LSU's Josh Thompson and Louisville's Pete Nygra who signed UDFA deals.
Mercyhurst DE Jonas King
Rice DL Blake Boenisch
Colorado DL Keaten Wade
BYU DL John Taumoepeau
SMU DL Shaq Spears
Missouri Western DL Grant Finley
Pitt DE Joey Zelinsky
Oregon State DE Nikko Taylor
Syracuse DL Chris Thomas
Northwestern DT Carmine Bastone
UConn DE Donovan Branch
West Florida DE Colby Taylor
Coastal Carolina DE Noah Arinze
Fresno State DE Korey Foreman
Maryland DT Cameron Rice
North Carolina DE Smith Vilbert
Even with two draft investments (Peter Woods and R Mason Thomas ) and five UDFA investments, this group is one to watch. The Chiefs need a bit of an overhaul to their interior defensive line and edge rusher depth, so expect that this group could contribute to some roster churn.
Charlotte LB Shay Taylor
Mizzou LB Triston Newsom
JMU LB Trent Hendrick
Arkansas LB Stephen Dix
Michigan LB Ernest Hausmann
San Jose State LB Taniela Latu
Texas Tech LB Bryce Ramirez
SFA LB Jaydon Southard
Pitt St. LB Steven Ward
This is another position group where the Chiefs didn't invest during the draft or free agency. There could quietly be some opportunity here to push some players off the bottom of Kansas City's roster.
Montana CB Kenzel Lawler
Marshall DB Cam Smith
Tennessee Tech S Tim Coutras
Kansas State S Gunner Maldonado
Liberty S Brylan Green
Eastern Kentucky DB Jaheim Ward
Pitt DB Rashad Battle
North Carolina DB Gavin Gibson
Pitt DB Javon McIntyre
Washington State S Caleb Francl
Wisconsin CB Rico Hallmaan
Vanderbilt S Marlen Sewell
SC State CB Dub Washington
The Chiefs invested heavily in the cornerback position in the 2026 NFL Draft, but the safety spot might be one to watch. These DBs will join Iowa's Xavier Nwankpa , Houston 's Zelmar Vedder, SDSU's Bryce Phillips, Nebraska's DeShon Singleton, and UL Monroe's D'arco Perkins-McCallister in the secondary during rookie minicamp.
Miami K Carter Davis
UConn P Connor Stutz
Washington K Grady Gross
Western Kentucky P Cole Maynard
Ohio State LS John Ferlmann
Kansas State LS Mason Olguin
The Chiefs need specialists at camp. Even though all three specialist spots are somewhat secure, it never hurts to have some depth on speed dial.
