As the Kansas City Chiefs prepare for training camp in St. Joseph, a growing conversation inside the organization centers on several under-the-radar players who could emerge as meaningful contributors or even surprise starters in 2026. In a detailed discussion between Michael D’Arcy and Josh Fann, the focus shifted away from headline names and toward the depth pieces and second-chance stories that often define roster construction in the modern NFL. These players represent the kind of developmental upside and opportunistic depth that can separate good teams from great ones when injuries and competition inevitably arise.
One of the most compelling narratives belongs to offensive tackle Asa Polei. His path to relevance has been anything but linear. After failing to make the initial roster, he was released, spent time with the Jets, and was cut again before returning to Kansas City. Late in the previous season, injuries and the trade of Wanya Morris created an opening, and Polei stepped in to start multiple games. The experience proved he could handle the physical and mental demands of the position at the NFL level. Now viewed as a versatile swing tackle who comes at a low cost, Polei is generating legitimate internal buzz as a candidate to win the right tackle job outright or at minimum serve as high-quality insurance. His story embodies the resilience required to survive on an NFL roster, and training camp will offer him another opportunity to solidify his place. For a team that has invested heavily in the offensive line in recent years, having a reliable, low-maintenance option like Polei provides both financial flexibility and depth security.
Another name gaining traction is wide receiver Andrew Armstrong. Signed to a reserve/future contract at the end of last season as an undrafted free agent, Armstrong brings a profile that stands out in a Chiefs receiving room often built around smaller, quicker slot specialists. At over six feet tall and around 200 pounds, he offers a bigger target who can win on the outside. His college production was impressive; he led the SEC in receiving during his final season, demonstrating not only volume but also the ability to consistently secure the football. Scouts and evaluators noted his reliable hands and athletic traits well before the draft, and the organization appears to see him as a developmental piece worth investing in. Amid ongoing questions about wide receiver depth and the health timelines of other players, Armstrong has the opportunity to shine in camp and potentially carve out a roster spot by providing a different skill set than the team’s typical options. His emergence would add another layer of versatility to an offense looking to create mismatches.
Emmit Johnson represents a different kind of intrigue, one rooted in both on-field potential and local appeal. The Nebraska product has shown the ability to impact games both as a runner and as a receiver, creating explosive plays in space and making defenders miss in the open field. His college background gives him a natural connection to a significant portion of the fan base, particularly when the team practices in St. Joseph near the Nebraska border. If Johnson can translate his college production into consistent camp performances, he could quickly become a fan favorite while also earning a legitimate role in the backfield or as a receiving threat. In an offense that has sometimes lacked dynamic playmakers at the skill positions, a player capable of making big plays in multiple ways could provide an unexpected spark. Training camp will be the proving ground where his athletic traits either translate or remain theoretical.
Jeff Caldwell brings yet another intriguing athletic profile to the wide receiver conversation. Described as a one-of-a-kind athlete with a large, Megatron-like frame, Caldwell showed enough productivity at Cincinnati to earn attention despite not having a dominant statistical season. The combination of size and athleticism creates a tantalizing developmental project, especially for a coaching staff that believes it can unlock additional production through scheme and technique work. In a room where several players are dealing with injury recovery or inconsistency, Caldwell’s unique physical tools could allow him to stand out during camp drills and earn a spot on the initial roster or practice squad. His story is a reminder that not every contributor needs to arrive with massive draft capital or immediate production; sometimes the right coaching and opportunity can transform raw traits into tangible results.
On the defensive side, safety Jayden Hicks is viewed as a player with significant rebound potential. After a promising rookie season, his second year was marred by mistakes that caused him to fade from the spotlight. With veterans Justin Reid and Bryan Cook departing in free agency, the opportunity for Hicks to reclaim a prominent role has increased substantially. The signing of Alohi Gilman is expected to provide both competition and mentorship, creating an environment where Hicks can learn from experience while competing for snaps. Additional competition comes from Armani Hooker and the versatile Jayden Kennedy, who has been compared to a Tyrann Mathieu-type Swiss Army knife capable of playing multiple roles. If Hicks can eliminate the mental errors that plagued his sophomore campaign and play with the confidence and physicality he showed as a rookie, he could become a steady presence in the secondary and help stabilize a unit undergoing transition. Training camp will reveal whether he has the mental reset necessary to take advantage of the opportunity in front of him.
Linebacker Cooper McDonald is another defensive player worth monitoring. As a second-year undrafted free agent, he already saw meaningful snaps late in the previous season and accumulated more playing time than some drafted players in similar situations. With Leo Chenal no longer in the picture, the linebacker room faces questions about depth and who can step into larger roles alongside established players like Nick Bolton and Drew Tranquill. McDonald’s profile suggests he performs well in defined, smaller roles, but there is legitimate concern about whether he can handle an expanded workload without being exposed. The organization’s previous investments in the position through drafts and extensions create both a high bar and an opportunity for someone like McDonald to seize playing time if others falter. His camp performance will help determine whether he is viewed as a future contributor or remains a depth piece.
Beyond individual names, the cornerback room is expected to feature intense competition following the addition of L’Jarius Sneed. Players such as Kaiir Elam and others will be fighting for roster spots in what promises to be one of the more hotly contested position groups during camp. The combination of a veteran presence like Sneed and younger players battling for opportunities creates the kind of environment where under-the-radar performers can rise quickly.
Collectively, these under-the-radar players reflect the Chiefs’ approach to roster building: identify talent that may have been overlooked elsewhere, provide second chances when warranted, and create competition that raises the overall level of the team. Training camp in St. Joseph will serve as the first extended look at how these individuals perform under the intensity of daily evaluation. For fans, these stories add layers of excitement beyond the established stars. Watching a player like Polei fight for a starting job, Armstrong potentially break through as a camp standout, or Hicks reclaim his trajectory provides narrative threads that make every practice and preseason game more compelling.
The broader implication is that depth and development remain critical to sustained success in the NFL. While headline moves and high-profile names capture attention, it is often the accumulation of these smaller, under-the-radar contributions that allows a team to withstand the attrition of a 17-game season and beyond. The Chiefs appear to have several candidates capable of providing exactly that kind of unexpected value in 2026. As camp approaches, the focus will shift from speculation to performance, and these players will have their opportunity to turn potential into production on the field.
