Kansas City Chiefs AFC West

Despite the serious injury he apparently sustained prior to Week 11 at Denver, Karlaftis missed only one game last season, sitting out in Week 18 when the Chiefs were already eliminated from playoff contention. Now fully healthy, he projects to again play a huge role on the edge for Kansas City in 2026.

On the heels of being named the most valuable player of Super Bowl LX, Walker inked a lucrative three-year deal to lead Kansas City's backfield this coming season. Edholm notes that Walker earned a reputation as a run-first back during his four-year stint with Seattle, but the 2022 second-rounder -- who logged 31 catches in 17 regular-season games in 2025 -- has reportedly been spending time with QB Patrick Mahomes (who is bouncing back from a December ACL/LCL injury) this offseason in anticipation of a potentially expanded role as a pass catcher. "We've been working on getting connected in the passing game and everything, so that's good," Walker said. "I feel like I'll be used more in the pass game." Either way, as the clear-cut RB1 for his new team, Walker figures to be busy out of the gate this coming season while Mahomes works his way back to form. Competing for complementary work behind Walker will be a pair of newcomers in rookie Emmett Johnson and free agent addition Emari Demercado, as well as 2025 seventh-rounder Brashard Smith.

The Chiefs almost completely remade their backfield compared to last season, letting Kareem Hunt and Isiah Pacheco walk while retaining the 2025 seventh-round pick Smith, and signing Walker and Demercado before drafting Johnson in the fifth round. Kansas City also signed undrafted free agents Jaydn Ott and EJ Smith. Demercado and Brashard Smith both seem best suited for change-of-pace roles on passing downs, so Johnson could have a clear lane to getting the second-most carries behind Walker. Head coach Andy Reid compared Johnson's skill set to that of former NFL running back LeSean McCoy, who exceeded 1,000 regular-season rushing yards on six occasions.

Loyd (6-foot-2, 196 pounds) inks with the Chiefs following a successful tryout at the team's rookie minicamp in late April. He appeared in 13 games with Missouri in 2025 and totaled two catches for 21 yards while handling a depth role. Loyd previously spent time at Illinois State in 2024 and at Kansas State from 2021-23.

Ott played three years at California before transferring to Oklahoma for his senior season. The running back suffered a shoulder issue entering the 2025 season that led to him seeing meaningful snaps in only two games. The Chiefs are likely taking a flyer on Ott due to his 2023 season at California, where he rushed 245 times for 1,305 yards and 12 touchdowns and added 26 receptions for 321 yards and three touchdowns. Ott's standout sophomore campaign suggests he has a shot to be a meaningful producer at the NFL level if he can avoid the injury bug.

De Jesus played two years at UNLV before transferring to California for the 2025 season. The wide receiver produced 108 receptions for 1,030 yards and six touchdowns over 13 games in 2025. De Jesus demonstrated the ability to handle high volume during his final college season, earning a look from a Chiefs team always looking to expand its wide-receiver options for Patrick Mahomes (knee).

Evans played at Penn State for three years before ending his collegiate career as a Washington Husky in 2025. The wide receiver had a down year in 2025, playing in 11 games and collecting 17 receptions for 254 yards and one touchdown. His best college season was in 2024, producing 415 yards and five touchdown grabs on just 21 receptions. Evans will have to compete with many other options in training camp as the Chiefs look to refortify their wide-receiver room ahead of the 2026 season.

Remigio missed the last two games of the 2025 regular season due to a knee injury. Now healthy, the kick and punt returner is set to run it back with the Chiefs for the 2026 regular season. Remigio played in 14 regular-season games in 2025, totaling 741 kick-return yards and 191 punt-return yards.

Araiza is positioned to remain the Chiefs' punter for the 2026 campaign. He averaged 47.6 yards per punt in 2025 while suiting up for all 17 regular-season games.

Elam, who played in 10 regular-season games with Dallas and four with Tennessee in 2025, brings depth and experience to a Kansas City cornerback corps that has seen Trent McDuffie and Jaylen Watson depart this offseason. The 24-year-old has 19 starts (including seven with the Cowboys last year) to his credit since being drafted by the Bills, 23rd overall, in the 2022 NFL Draft, and in his new locale, Elam figures to compete with Nohl Williams and Kristian Fulton for outside CB reps.

The South Dakota product was a key special-teamer for the Chiefs last season, appearing in 17 games and recording 20 total tackles and one interception across 403 total snaps (341 on special teams, 62 on defense). Now back with Kansas City, Cochrane is expected to assume a similar role during the 2026 season.

Caliendo has played his first three seasons with the Chiefs and will return for at least one more. He made four starts among his 17 games last year and should serve as offensive line depth again in 2026.