Believe it or not, but after today, the Kansas City Chiefs have just nine training camp practices left. It seems like yesterday that the NFL Draft came and went, and free agency passed. While the 2026 season is just around the corner and the Chiefs prepare to play the Denver Broncos in a primetime season-opener, it's important to first take stock of the current makeup of this Chiefs defensive unit.
The defense has undergone some massive changes this offseason, mainly from a player perspective. Every player from the 2022 draft is no longer on this team aside from George Karlaftis. General Manager Brett Veach decided to trade Trent McDuffie and let Jaylen Watson, Bryan Cook, Leo Chenal, and Isiah Pacheco all walk in free agency.
Making way for an infusion of young, ascending talent that hopefully provides the Chiefs with as much great play as the players listed above did, and in Karlaftis' case, continue to do. Kansas City's first three picks were used on defense, all within the top-40 picks. This, along with a couple of free agent additions, may make this defense more whole and consistent as a unit.
Chiefs' reimagined defense aims for both a higher floor and ceiling heading into 2026 season
Defensive Tackle
Of course, superstar and franchise legend Chris Jones remains the gold standard of the d-tackle room, but for the first time in years, it looks like he'll finally have some help alongside him. Khyiris Tonga, the hulking nose tackle, should be a welcome addition as he will provide plus-run-stuffing ability, as well as some juice in the pass-rush.
The rookie Peter Woods has flashed day after day in training camp and could very well be the next in line after Jones hangs it up. And we cannot forget about second-year Omarr Norman-Lott, who was drafted in the second round last year and was playing well before a torn ACL ended his season. What was once the Chiefs' weakest position group on defense just a few months ago, and not by a small margin, now projects to be the strongest.
Cornerback
This cornerback room underwent a complete 180 this offseason. Nohl Williams was a hit in the third round last year and projects to be an entrenched boundary starter. Rookie Mansoor Delane should play opposite Williams, as the sixth-overall pick continues to nurse a shoulder ailment but is still making plays in camp.
Veterans Kristian Fulton and L'Jarius Sneed should play a role this year as proven backups, and in Sneed's case, if the knee holds up, he potentially can get back to his best self. The starting nickel/slot CB remains uncertain, but whether it be free agent addition Kader Kohou, rookie Jadon Canady, or the safety-CB hybrid Christian Roland-Wallace, it'll be better than Chamarri Conner.
Safety
I think this safety room has lots of potential, but we're getting to that point where uncertainty turns into more of an underlying issue than hopeful projection. Veteran addition Alohi Gilman has been a starter for years and signed a three-year deal with the Chiefs. He is valued for his football IQ, big-play ability, and command of the backend. KC will need that.
The aforementioned Chamarri Conner's natural spot is safety, where he has performed well when deployed there. The hope is he can slide into that role with ease. Jaden Hicks enters a make-or-break third year, as his athleticism alone hasn't been able to garner Steve Spagnuolo's trust on the field. Hopefully that can change. And keep your eyes open for rookie UDFA Xavier Nwankpa. The 22-year-old has slowly been rising up the depth chart and may make a case for a 53-man roster spot.
Linebacker
Before training camp, I felt comfortable with where the Chiefs LB room stood. We know what Nick Bolton and Drue Tranquill are. Multi-year starters and veterans who know Spags' scheme backwards and forwards, can play the run better than most, and will very rarely miss a mental assignment.
However, their weaknesses in pass coverage and lack of speed are why it is necessary that last year's fifth-round selection Jeffrey Bassa emerges and is able to pick up the slack on third downs and play the Leo Chenal role to some extent. If not, the snaps go to Jack Cochrane, Cole Christiansen, or Cooper McDonald. Purely special teams guys you do not want to see playing extended time on defense
Defensive End
The one word I would use to sum up this edge rushing room for the Chiefs is terrified. The lack of depth is obvious, yet Veach refuses to bring in a proven player on the open market. Karlaftis is more than solid and should play his normal 70% of snaps. But other than him, the room is paper-thin.
Second-year man Ashton Gillotte is going to see lots of run, provided his current hamstring injury doesn't carry into the regular season. He was a third-round pick last year and certainly didn't show enough to prove a starter. Felix Anudike-Uzomah enters year four with everything to prove and little belief from me that he'll provide much of anything. So much hinges on rookie second-rounder R Mason Thomas to be a difference maker from day one. Unfair expectations for a guy who, while extremely explosive, has lots of technicalities to work through in his game.
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