Kansas City Chiefs fans can't help but have a high level of optimism heading into this week's draft, armed with a wealth of draft picks. The Chiefs hold picks No. 9, 29, 40, 74, 109, 148, 169, 176, 210 heading into Thursday night. This speaks to a front office that has managed its assets incredibly well and has put the franchise in a position to bring in at least two expected starters and a handful of impact players.
This obviously is going to create roster battles and a level of fallout. A handful of Chiefs players stand out when considering pieces that could be in trouble after this year's class is brought in. Three names, in particular, jump off the page based on pre-draft expectations and 2025 performances that left each of this trio in harm's way.
1. WR Jalen Royals
The KC pass catcher appeared to be set up for a possible promotion with the offseason departures of Hollywood Brown and JuJu Smith-Schuster in free agency. However, the Chiefs have recently been tied to a number of top receivers in this year's class, putting the role of Royals in danger. The Chiefs are moving forward currently with a starting trio of Rashee Rice, Tyquan Thornton, and Xaiver Worthy. If the Chiefs make a notable addition in the first two rounds, the rookie would likely step into the starting lineup and relegate Thornton to the fourth option.
Royals has to make note of this and realize that if the Chiefs make notable additions in this year's class, the second year receiver could be in trouble. Already, the Chiefs have shown very little faith in the pass catcher, only allowing Royals to play 38 offensive snaps in the 2025 season.
With this in mind, it is clear that the receiver's roster spot isn't promised, and bringing in additions to receiver with a higher level of investment will quickly push Royals into a position of needing to prove himself worthy of a roster spot.
2. EDGE Ashton Gillotte
If the season started today, it would be Gillotte and George Karlaftis as the starting edge rushers for the Chiefs. Kansas City pundits and draft experts have consistently pointed to the position as a possible area of upgrade in the draft's first two rounds. While Gillotte isn't in any danger of losing his roster spot, the second-year pro clearly could be demoted out of the starting lineup, and his camp performance wouldn't matter.
If the Chiefs use one of the team's first three picks on the position, it is going to demote Gillotte into the third edge rusher role, no matter his level of performance. Karlaftis has the security of a high-dollar contract, leaving the investment level as protection for his starting role.
For Gillotte, the pass rusher has to be watching this year's draft with a level of anxiety, understanding how quickly his starting role could be wiped away if the franchise makes a move at the position.
3. CB Kader Kohou
Much of what was just said about edge rusher Gillotte applies to corner Kader Kohou as well. The defensive back was signed in free agency after the Chiefs watched Jaylen Watson depart in free agency and traded away Trent McDuffie to the Los Angeles Rams. This left the free agent addition of Kohou setting the corner up for a starting role alongside Nohl Williams and Kristian Fulton as Kansas City's lineup.
Fulton and Williams have the edge of having experience in the system of Steve Spagnuolo and a proven ceiling. If the Chiefs opt to select a corner to help offset the losses of Watson and McDuffie, it will be Kohou facing demotion. The defender was first added to the Miami Dolphins as an undrafted free agent and has limited upside as a starting option.
If KC drafts at the position in the first three rounds, it will push Kohou not only out of the starting lineup but force the free agent signing to fight for snaps. It wouldn't be a surprise to see the franchise add a receiver, pass rusher, and corner with the team's first three selections, with each standing out as the current most pressing positional needs.
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