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Every team is excited about their incoming class of rookies, but how will those new players affect each team in 2026?
Let's look at the Kansas City Chiefs, breaking down the most likely instant-impact rookies from their class while also providing some insight into why certain early picks may not see the field.
Kansas City Chiefs 2026 Draft Class: Which Rookies Will Make an Impact?
The Chiefs made a questionable decision to trade up for Mansoor Delane (first round) despite sitting in a position where they should have felt confident that either Delane, Sonny Styles, or Caleb Downs would be on the board. Instead of remaining patient and taking the best of the remaining top-tier defensive prospects, the Chiefs traded up to address their desperate need for a cornerback.
Although the trade was a questionable use of draft capital, the Chiefs’ interest in Delane is understandable, as he has the physicality to make up for his modest frame and should be able to handle press-coverage assignments. The Chiefs should have some concerns about his ability to replicate his senior-year production, however. Delane generated a ball-hawk rate 83% above expected last year based on route-adjusted data, a number that demonstrates an elite ceiling for his playmaking ability. However, in each of the previous two years at Virginia Tech, Delane’s ball-hawk rate fell below expectations. Given his 30-inch arms, it’s reasonable to wonder if his lack of productivity at Virginia Tech is more likely to be the norm.
The Chiefs took another risk with Peter Woods (first round), a player with elite tools but wildly inconsistent production at Clemson. Despite his athletic traits, Woods generated a pitiful 4% pressure rate last season. In four games against opponents ranked in the top 50 of pressure rate allowed, he generated just three pressures on 109 pass-rush snaps. Don’t expect much from Woods as a rookie. He’ll need to learn how to be a pro while working with Chris Jones and might eventually develop enough to replace the 32-year-old Jones down the road.
R. Mason Thomas (second round) is an explosive edge rusher who will immediately fit into the rotation on passing downs. Thomas fits the same profile as Felix Anudike-Uzomah, who never panned out, but Steve Spagnuolo clearly sees value in adding that type of explosive athlete on the edge to his scheme. When lined up from the seven-tech spot or wider, Thomas generated a strong 18% pressure rate and should frequently be placed in those wider positions on passing downs in Spagnuolo’s scheme.
Jadon Canady (fourth round) adds depth to a secondary that only has one non-rookie under contract for the 2027 season. As a rookie, Canady will provide depth and play on special teams, but he has an excellent chance to take over the nickel corner role in 2027 after Chamarri Conner hits free agency. Emmett Johnson (fifth round) adds depth to the Chiefs' backfield and will compete for the backup role behind Kenneth Walker with Brashard Smith and Emari Demercado. This was a tough landing spot for Johnson, whose best chance to earn a role as a rookie was on passing downs. However, he’s in direct competition with Smith, a former wide receiver, for those snaps.
Cyrus Allen (fifth round) has some potential, but his skill set as a speedy downfield threat is redundant on a roster with Xavier Worthy and Tyquan Thornton. The Chiefs are already overloaded with weapons who win with speed but lack physicality in their game. On one hand, that means his skill set appears to be valued by the organization, but there will be plenty of competition for targets in that role.
Garrett Nussmeier (seventh round) was considered a potential Day 2 selection but fell much further than expected, possibly due to concerns about an oblique injury that limited his throwing ability during the 2025 season at LSU. When healthy in 2024, Nussmeier’s route-adjusted on-target rate was 7% above expected, but that dropped to 0.3% below expected in 2025. Obviously, the Chiefs don’t view him as a future starter in Kansas City, but they’ll have a chance to develop him and potentially reap the benefits via a trade if he gets healthy and regains form.
Although the Chiefs took some risks in the first round, this class came together on Day 2 and Day 3, and it is reasonable to assume each of their top four picks is starting or playing a key reserve role by 2027.
This analysis continues in the 2026 Football Preview
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