The Kansas City Chiefs are in the thick of an early offseason for the first time in the Patrick Mahomes era. As frustrating as this might be, it gives the Chiefs a chance to reset and explore potential prospects and free agency fits at a time when Kansas City's focus has typically been divided by Super Bowl aspirations.
Among the potential changes to the roster will be a draft class that has a chance to include a number of Shrine Bowl participants. The annual event will take place on Tuesday, Jan. 27, offering a great chance to evaluate potential draft fits for the Chiefs' needs.
With that in mind, here are four Shrine Bowl prospects that Kansas City fans should watch next week.
4 Shrine Bowl Prospects Must Be on Chiefs' Radar
1. Cade Klubnik, QB — Clemson
The Clemson product is going to have a lot of eyes on him over the next two months as teams attempt to evaluate whether or not he could be a viable starter at the next level. For the Chiefs, it makes sense to draft a quarterback on the second or third day of the draft to help take pressure off Mahomes, who is recovering from an ACL tear.
Cade Klubnik would offer K.C. a potential long-term backup option, especially after Chris Oladokun proved he isn't ready for the role.
For Klubnik, landing in head coach Andy Reid's offense could be the best possible scenario. The Clemson QB needs a low-pressure environment to improve his decision-making. All of the tools are there, including an underrated dual-threat ability; the question is simply whether Klubnik can speed up his reads enough to stick at the NFL level.
Even if Mahomes were healthy to begin the season, it would be interesting to use Klubnik's legs in short-yardage situations to protect Mahomes and take advantage of a skillset evidenced by 17 rushing touchdowns in his college career.
2. Demond Claiborne, RB — Wake Forest
It makes sense for the Chiefs to add to the backfield in both the draft and free agency. If they opt to go down the draft route, Wake Forest running back Demond Claiborne is a prospect that should be closely evaluated in this year's Shrine Bowl.
What makes Claiborne stand out is his lateral quickness that is unrivaled in his class, add in the burst when finding space, and it is clear that this is the type of explosive back the Chiefs so badly lacked over the past two seasons.
Claiborne has experience returning kicks as well and could be an exciting addition to the offense as well as a special teams piece. Perhaps the only concern is how the back will hold up against NFL-level punishment at 5'10" and 195 pounds. Still, this doesn't stop Claiborne from averaging over five yards per carry and putting up 1,047 scrimmage yards for Wake Forest in the 2025 season.
3. Dillon Bell, WR, Georgia
Another area of concern for the Chiefs is their lackluster wide receiver depth. Heading into the 2026 offseason, only Rashee Rice, Xavier Worthy, and Jalen Royals are currently under contract. It makes sense to target a fit at the position, and none is a clearer K.C. fit than Georgia product Dillon Bell.
The up-and-coming playmaker was often used as a gadget player and had no problem finding space utilizing his speed, leading to his amassing 1,269 receiving yards, 373 rushing yards, and 16 total TDs in four seasons with the Bulldogs.
Taking this a step further, it would be great to have another receiver capable of getting carries out of the backfield or stretching the field with his speed. In an offseason that should be defined by taking pressure off Mahomes, drafting Bell would be a step in that direction, helping the Chiefs fill out the depth chart at a position full of question marks.
4. Domani Jackson, CB — Alabama
Looking at Kansas City's corners under contract for the 2026 season, it becomes clear that the franchise is going to need to make more than one move at the position. Domani Jackson is a potential fit in that he has experience going against NFL-level talent playing for an incredible Alabama program.
Few schools are in the conversation when it comes to generating consistent NFL stars, and the Tide has established itself as one of these elite programs. Their top-tier development is a huge reason why Jackson allowed a career-low 8.4 yards per reception in 2025, per Pro Football Focus.
What stands out about Jackson in particular is elite speed allows him to keep pace with the quickest wideouts, as well as recover from any mistakes. That's without mentioning how he seeks out contact and doesn't shy away from physicality. With this in mind, it would be surprising not to see the Chiefs take a close look at Jackson at the Shrine Bowl.