2026 KC Chiefs Projected Special Teams Pre-Draft

 

2026 KC Chiefs Projected Special Teams Pre-Draft in my opinion:

K: Harrison Butker
P: Matt Araiza
LS: James Winchester
H: Matt Araiza
KR: Nikko Remigio  
PR: Nikko Remigio

The 3^rd phase of the team that takes care of what’s known in the industry as the “hidden yards” is the only area of continuity on the team. Hopefully that translates into better success than last year.

2026 Projected KC Chiefs Defensive Starters Pre-Draft

Our defensive scheme is a 4 - 3 (4 Down Linemen, and 3 Linebackers) base 7 man front with a 1 gap Under Front alignment (Defensive Line shifts to the weakside, and the Strong Side Outside Linebacker moves up on the line of scrimmage. That makes the defense look like a 5-2 with 43 personnel. Sometimes, the Strong or Free Safety will drop down close to the line of scrimmage, and the defense becomes an eight-man front, or what’s known as the 46 (Brian Dawkins in Philadelphia, and now Alohi Gilman in KC). Now everybody in the NFL does a little bit of everything because it’s the pros and a copycat league. But our defensive coordinator comes from the Jim Johnson tree (‘99 – ‘08 with the Philadelphia Eagles) and prefers a 2 High Safety alignment with Press Man Coverage, mixed in with Man Blitzes, Double-A Gap Blitzes, and Zone Blitzes depending on the situation also.

2026 Projected KC Chiefs Defensive Starters in my opinion before the draft:

LDE: George Karlaftis
LDT: Chris Jones
RDT:  Khyiris Tonga
RDE: Ashton Gillotte
LOLB (SLB): Cooper McDonald
MLB: Nick Bolton
ROLB (WLB): Drue Tranquill
LCB (CB1): Nohl Williams
RCB (CB2): Kristian Fulton
CB3: Kader Kohou
SS: Chamarri Connor
FS: Alohi Gilman

In the Nickel (5 DBs) against a spread offense, take out Cooper McDonald, and replace with a Slot Corner. Kader Kohou.

In Dime (6 DBs), take out Cooper McDonald, and Drue Tranquill. Add another Safety, Chris Roland-Wallace, along with Kader Kohou.

Much like the offense, the defense was average at best. It became incredibly predictable. We lost so many people in free agency that we need bodies to fill up the other 23 through 53 people on the roster.

We really need to hit on this draft to stay competitive not only across the league, but 1^st in the division. Which I haven’t said in quite some time. For the 1^st time since Andy Reid’s been in Kansas City. We are looking up at the Chargers and Broncos in the AFC West.

2026 KC Chiefs Projected Offensive Starters Pre-Draft

NFL West Coast passing scheme, and zone running scheme, mixed in with college option, misdirection plays, and spread offense. Every team has 11 players on the field at one time. How many at each position varies due to the situation.

QB: Patrick Mahomes
RB1: Kenneth Walker (goal line and short-yardage Running Back)
RB2: Brashard Smith (our pass receiving Running Back)
WR1: Xavier Worthy
WR2: Tyquan Thornton
WR3: Rashee Rice
WR4: Jalen Royals
WR5: Jason Brownlee
WR6: Nikko Remigio
TE1: Travis Kelce
TE2: Noah Gray
LT:  Josh Simmons
LG: Kingsley Suamataia
OC: Creed Humphrey
RG: Trey Smith
RT: Jaylon Moore
 
As you can see because we were very mediocre last year, there have been some major changes. Especially, on the Offensive Line. I like the starters, but there’s just not much depth across the board on the offense.
 
I wouldn’t be surprised if we draft everything, except Running Back and Quarterback.
 
I also figured out why ever since 2013 when Andy Reid got to Kansas City, we always have 4 Tight Ends on the roster when most teams only have 3. Our 1^st 3 Tight Ends are usually glorified pass receivers, and don’t play in tight to the offensive line. The 4^th Tight End is usually the blocking Tight End. On most other teams, traditionally the 2^nd Tight End is usually the blocking Tight End.

2025 KC Chiefs Projected Special Teams Pre-Draft

2025 KC Chiefs Projected Special Teams Pre-Draft in my opinion:

K: Harrison Butker
P: Matt Araiza
LS: James Winchester
H: Matt Araiza
KR: Nikko Remigio  
PR: Nikko Remigio

2025 Projected KC Chiefs Defensive Starters Pre-Draft

Our defensive scheme is a 4 - 3 (4 Down Linemen, and 3 Linebackers) base 7 man front with a 1 gap Under Front alignment (Defensive Line shifts to the weakside, and the Strong Side Outside Linebacker moves up on the line of scrimmage. That makes the defense look like a 5-2 with 43 personnel. Sometimes, the Strong or Free Safety will drop down close to the line of scrimmage, and the defense becomes an eight-man front, or what’s known as the 46 (Brian Dawkins in Philadelphia, and Justin Reid in KC). Now everybody in the NFL does a little bit of everything because it’s the pros and a copycat league. But our defensive coordinator comes from the Jim Johnson tree (‘99 – ‘08 with the Philadelphia Eagles) and prefers a 2 High Safety alignment with Press Man Coverage, mixed in with Man Blitzes, Double-A Gap Blitzes, and Zone Blitzes depending on the situation also.

2025 Projected KC Chiefs Defensive Starters in my opinion before the draft:

LDE: George Karlaftis
LDT: Chris Jones
RDT: Mike Pennel 
RDE: Mike Danna
LOLB (SLB): Leo Chenal
MLB: Nick Bolton
ROLB (WLB): Drue Tranquill
LCB (CB1): Trent McDuffie
RCB (CB2): Kristian Fulton
CB3: Chamarri Connor
FS: Bryan Cook
SS: Jaden Hicks

In the Nickel (5 DBs) against a spread offense, take out Drue Tranquill, and replace with a Slot Corner. Chamarri Connor.

In Dime (6 DBs), take out Leo Chenal, and Drue Tranquill. Add another Safety, Mike Edwards, along with Chamarri Connor.

2025 KC Chiefs Projected Offensive Starters Pre-Draft

2025 KC Chiefs Projected Offensive Starters Pre-Draft in my opinion:

NFL West Coast passing scheme, and zone running scheme, mixed in with college option, misdirection plays, and spread offense. Every team has 11 players on the field at one time. How many at each position varies due to the situation.

QB: Patrick Mahomes
FB: Carson Steele
RB1: Isiah Pacheco (goal line and short-yardage Running Back
RB2: Kareem Hunt (our pass receiving Running Back)
WR1: Marquise Brown
WR2: Xavier Worthy 
WR3: Rashee Rice
WR4: Skyy Moore
WR5: Nikko Remigio
WR6: Justyn Ross
TE1: Travis Kelce (pass-catching Tight End)
TE2: Noah Gray (blocking Tight End)
LT: Jaylon Moore
LG: Kingsley Suamataia
OC: Creed Humphrey
RG: Trey Smith
RT: Jawaan Taylor

2024 KC Chiefs Projected Special Teams Pre-Draft

 

2024 KC Chiefs Projected Special Teams Pre-Draft in my opinion:
 
K: Harrison Butker
P: Matt Araiza
LS: James Winchester
H: Matt Araiza
KR: Kadarius Toney  
PR: Kadarius Toney

2024 Projected KC Chiefs Defensive Starters Pre-Draft

Our defensive scheme is a 4 - 3 (4 Down Linemen, and 3 Linebackers) base 7 man front with a 1 gap Under Front alignment (Defensive Line shifts to the weakside, and the Strong Side Outside Linebacker moves up on the line of scrimmage. That makes the defense look like a 5-2 with 43 personnel. Sometimes, the Strong or Free Safety will drop down close to the line of scrimmage, and the defense becomes an eight-man front, or what’s known as the 46 (Brian Dawkins in Philadelphia, and Justin Reid in KC). Now everybody in the NFL does a little bit of everything because it’s the pros and a copycat league. But our defensive coordinator comes from the Jim Johnson tree (‘99 – ‘08 with the Philadelphia Eagles) and prefers a 2 High Safety alignment with Press Man Coverage, mixed in with Man Blitzes, Double-A Gap Blitzes, and Zone Blitzes depending on the situation also.

2024 Projected KC Chiefs Defensive Starters in my opinion before the draft:

LDE: George Karlaftis
LDT: Derrick Nnadi
RDT: Chris Jones
RDE: Felix Anudike-Uzomah
LOLB (SLB): Leo Chenal
MLB: Nick Bolton
ROLB (WLB): Drue Tranquill
LCB (CB1): Trent McDuffie
RCB (CB2): Joshua Williams
CB3: Jaylen Watson
FS: Bryan Cook

SS: Justin Reid

In the Nickel (5 DBs) against a spread offense, take out Drue Tranquill, and replace with a Slot Corner. Jaylen Watson.

In Dime (6 DBs), take out Leo Chenal, and Drue Tranquill. Add another Safety, Deon Bush, along with Jaylen Watson.

2024 KC Chiefs Projected Offensive Starters Pre-Draft

2024 KC Chiefs Projected Offensive Starters Pre-Draft in my opinion:

NFL West Coast passing scheme, and zone running scheme, mixed in with college option, misdirection plays, and spread offense. Every team has 11 players on the field at one time. How many at each position varies due to the situation.

QB: Patrick Mahomes
RB1: Isiah Pacheco (goal line and short-yardage Running Back)
RB2: Clyde Edwars-Helaire (our pass receiving Running Back)
WR1: Marquise Brown
WR2: Rashee Rice
WR3: Skyy Moore
WR4: Justin Watson

WR5: Kadarius Toney
WR6: Justyn Ross
TE1: Travis Kelce (pass-catching Tight End)
TE2: Noah Gray (blocking Tight End)
LT: Wanya Morris
LG: Joe Thuney
OC: Creed Humphrey
RG: Trey Smith
RT: Jawaan Taylor

As you can see above, we’ve made a couple changes on the offense, especially our Wide Receivers and Offensive Tackles. Seems like we haven’t had stability at OT since Eric Fisher, and Mitchell Schwartz.

2023 KC Chiefs Projected Special Teams Pre-Draft

2023 KC Chiefs Projected Special Teams Pre-Draft in my opinion:

K: Harrison Butker
P: Tommy Townsend
LS: James Winchester
H: Tommy Townsend
KR: Kadarius Toney
PR: Kadarius Toney

Kadarius Toney becomes both the new Punt Returner and Kick Returner.

2023 Projected KC Chiefs Defensive Starters Pre-Draft

 

Our defensive scheme is a 4 - 3 (4 Down Linemen, and 3 Linebackers) base 7 man front with a 1 gap Under Front alignment (Defensive Line shifts to the weakside, and the Strong Side Outside Linebacker moves up on the line of scrimmage. That makes the defense look like a 5-2 with 43 personnel. Sometimes, the Strong or Free Safety will drop down close to the line of scrimmage, and the defense becomes an eight-man front, or what’s known as the 46 (Brian Dawkins in Philadelphia, and probably Tyrann Matthieu, and then his replacement Justin Reid in KC). Now everybody in the NFL does a little bit of everything because it’s the pros and a copycat league. But our defensive coordinator comes from the Jim Johnson tree (‘99 – ‘08 with the Philadelphia Eagles) and prefers a 2 High Safety alignment with Press Man Coverage, mixed in with Man Blitzes, Double-A Gap Blitzes, and Zone Blitzes depending on the situation also.

2023 Projected KC Chiefs Defensive Starters in my opinion before the draft:

LDE: George Karlaftis
LDT: Derrick Nnadi
RDT: Chris Jones
RDE: Charles Omenihu
LOLB (SLB): Nick Bolton
MLB: Willie Gay Jr.
ROLB (WLB): Leo Chenal
LCB (CB1): L’Jarius Sneed
RCB (CB2): Jaylen Watson
CB3: Trent McDuffie
FS: Mike Edwards
SS: Justin Reid

In the Nickel (5 DBs) against a spread offense, take out Leo Chenal, and replace with a Slot Corner. Trent McDuffie.

In Dime (6 DBs), take out Willie Gay and Leo Chenal. Add another Safety, Deon Bush, along with Trent McDuffie.

 

2023 KC Chiefs Projected Offensive Starters Pre-Draft

2023 KC Chiefs Projected Offensive Starters Pre-Draft in my opinion:

NFL West Coast passing scheme, and zone running scheme, mixed in with college option, misdirection plays, and spread offense. Every team has 11 players on the field at one time. How many at each position varies due to the situation.

QB: Patrick Mahomes
RB1: Isiah Pacheco (our pass receiving Running Back)
RB2: Clyde Edwards-Helaire (goal line and short-yardage Running Back)
WR1: Kadarius Toney
WR2: Marquez Valdes-Scantling
WR3: Skyy Moore
WR4: Ritchie James
WR5:  Justin Watson

WR6: Justyn Ross
TE1: Travis Kelce (pass-catching Tight End)
TE2: Noah Gray (blocking Tight End)
LT: Jawaan Taylor 
LG: Joe Thuney
OC: Creed Humphrey
RG: Trey Smith

RT: Lucas Niang

As you can see above, we’ve made multiple changes on the offense, especially our Wide Receivers.

2022 KC Chiefs Projected Special Teams Pre-Draft

2022 KC Chiefs Projected Special Teams Pre-Draft in my opinion:

K: Harrison Butker

P: Tommy Townsend

LS: James Winchester

H: Tommy Townsend

KR: MeCole Hardman

PR: MeCole Hardman

MeCole Hardman becomes both the Punt Returner and Kick Returner after the Tyreek Hill trade.

2022 Projected KC Chiefs Defensive Starters Pre-Draft

 

Our defensive scheme is a 4 - 3 (4 Down Linemen, and 3 Linebackers) base 7 man front with a 1 gap Under Front alignment (Defensive Line shifts to the weakside, and the Strong Side Outside Linebacker moves up on the line of scrimmage. That makes the defense look like a 5-2 with 43 personnel. Sometimes, the Strong or Free Safety will drop down close to the line of scrimmage, and the defense becomes an eight-man front, or what’s known as the 46 (Brian Dawkins in Philadelphia, and probably Tyrann Matthieu, and then his replacement Justin Reid in KC). Now everybody in the NFL does a little bit of everything because it’s the pros and a copycat league. But our defensive coordinator comes from the Jim Johnson tree (‘99 – ‘08 with the Philadelphia Eagles) and prefers a 2 High Safety alignment with Press Man Coverage, mixed in with Man Blitzes, Double-A Gap Blitzes, and Zone Blitzes depending on the situation also.

2022 Projected KC Chiefs Defensive Starters in my opinion before the draft:

LDE: Chris Jones
LDT: Derrick Nnadi
RDT: Taylor Stallworth

RDE: Frank Clark
LOLB (SLB): Willie Gay Jr.
MLB: Nick Bolton
ROLB (WLB): Jermaine Carter

LCB (CB1): L’Jarius Sneed
RCB (CB2): Rashad Fenton
CB3: DeAndre Baker 
FS: Juan Thornhill
SS: Justin Reid
 
In the Nickel (5 DBs) against a spread offense, take out Jermaine Carter, and replace with a Slot Corner. DeAndre Baker.

In Dime (6 DBs), take out Willie Gay and Jermaine Carter. Add another Safety, Deon Bush, along with DeAndre Baker.

2022 KC Chiefs Projected Offensive Starters Pre-Draft

2022 KC Chiefs Projected Offensive Starters Pre-Draft in my opinion:

NFL West Coast passing scheme, and zone running scheme, mixed in with college option, misdirection plays, and spread offense. Every team has 11 players on the field at one time. How many at each position varies due to the situation.
 
QB: Patrick Mahomes
RB1: Clyde Edwards-Helaire (goal line and short-yardage Running Back)
RB2: Ronald Jones (our pass receiving Running Back)
WR1: JuJu Smith-Schuster
WR2: MeCole Hardman

WR3: Marquez Valdes-Scantling
WR4: Cornell Powell
WR5: Corey Coleman
WR6: Gehrig Deiter
TE1: Travis Kelce (pass-catching Tight End)
TE2: Jody Fortson (blocking Tight End)
LT: Orlando Brown, Jr.
LG: Joe Thuney
OC: Creed Humphrey
RG: Trey Smith
RT: Lucas Niang
 
As you can see above, we’ve made multiple changes on the offense, especially our Wide Receivers.

2021 KC Chiefs Projected Special Teams Pre-Draft

2021 KC Chiefs Projected Special Teams Pre-Draft in my opinion:

K: Harrison Butker

P: Tommy Townsend

LS: James Winchester

H: Tommy Townsend

KR: MeCole Hardman

PR: Tyreek Hill

This unit will be the exact same as last year.

2021 Projected KC Chiefs Defensive Starters Pre-Draft

Our defensive scheme is a 4 - 3 (4 Down Linemen, and 3 Linebackers) base 7 man front with a 1 gap Under Front alignment (Defensive Line shifts to the weakside, and the Strong Side Outside Linebacker moves up on the line of scrimmage. That makes the defense look like a 5-2 with 43 personnel. Sometimes, the Strong or Free Safety will drop down close to the line of scrimmage, and the defense becomes an eight-man front, or what’s known as the 46 (Brian Dawkins in Philadelphia, and probably Tyrann Matthieu in KC). Now everybody in the NFL does a little bit of everything because it’s the pros and a copycat league. But our defensive coordinator comes from the Jim Johnson tree (‘99 – ‘08 with the Philadelphia Eagles) and prefers a 2 High Safety alignment with Press Man Coverage, mixed in with Man Blitzes, Double-A Gap Blitzes, and Zone Blitzes depending on the situation also.

 
2021 Projected KC Chiefs Defensive Starters in my opinion before the draft:
 
LDE: Taco Charlton
LDT: Jarran Reed

RDT: Chris Jones
RDE: Frank Clark
LOLB (SLB): Willie Gay Jr.

MLB: Anthony Hitchens
LCB (CB1): Charvarius Ward

RCB (CB2): L’Jarius Sneed
CB3: Rashad Fenton

FS: Juan Thornhill
SS: Tyrann Mathieu
 
In the Nickel (5 DBs) against a spread offense, take out Anthony Hitchens, and replace with a Slot Corner. Rashad Fenton.
 
In Dime (6 DBs), take out Willie Gay and Anthony Hitchens. Add another Safety, Armani Watts, along with Rashad Fenton.

2021 KC Chiefs Projected Offensive Starters Pre-Draft

2021 KC Chiefs Projected Offensive Starters Pre-Draft in my opinion:

 
NFL West Coast passing scheme, and zone running scheme, mixed in with college option, misdirection plays, and spread offense. Every team has 11 players on the field at one time. How many at each position varies due to the situation.
 
QB: Patrick Mahomes
RB1: Clyde Edwards-Helaire (goal line and short-yardage Running Back)
RB2: Jerick McKinnon (our pass receiving Running Back)
WR1: Tyreek Hill
WR2: MeCole Hardman
WR3: DeMarcus Robinson
WR4: Marcus Kemp
WR5: Byron Pringle
WR6: Gehrig Deiter
TE1: Travis Kelce (pass-catching Tight End)
TE2: Blake Bell (blocking Tight End)
LT: Orlando Brown, Jr.
LG: Joe Thuney
OC: Austin Blythe
RG: Laurent Duvernay-Tardif
RT: Mike Remmers
 
As you can see above, we’ve made multiple changes on the offense, especially our Offensive Line to protect Patrick Mahomes.

2020 KC Chiefs Projected Special Teams Pre-Draft

2020 KC Chiefs Projected Special Teams Pre-Draft in my opinion:

K: Harrison Butker

P: Dustin Colquitt

LS: James Winchester

H: Dustin Colquitt

KR: MeCole Hardman

PR: Tyreek Hill

2020 Projected KC Chiefs Defensive Starters Pre-Draft

Our defensive scheme is a 4 - 3 (4 Down Linemen, and 3 Linebackers) base 7 man front with a 1 gap Under Front alignment (Defensive Line shifts to the weakside, and the Strong Side Outside Linebacker moves up on the line of scrimmage. That makes the defense look like a 5-2 with 43 personnel. Sometimes, the Strong or Free Safety will drop down close to the line of scrimmage, and the defense becomes an eight-man front, or what’s known as the 46 (Brian Dawkins in Philadelphia, and probably Tyrann Matthieu in KC). Now everybody in the NFL does a little bit of everything because it’s the pros and a copycat league. But our defensive coordinator comes from the Jim Johnson tree (‘99 – ‘08 with the Philadelphia Eagles) and prefers a 2 High Safety alignment with Press Man Coverage, mixed in with Man Blitzes, Double-A Gap Blitzes, and Zone Blitzes depending on the situation also.

2020 Projected KC Chiefs Defensive Starters in my opinion before the draft:

LDE: Alex Okafor

LDT: Derrick Nnadi

RDT: Chris Jones

RDE: Frank Clark

LOLB (SLB): Damien Wilson

MLB: Anthony Hitchens

ROLB (WLB): Dorian O'Daniel

LCB (CB1): Bashaud Breeland

RCB (CB2): Antonio Hamilton

FS: Juan Thornhill

SS: Tyrann Mathieu

In the Nickel (5 DBs) against a spread offense, take out Anthony Hitchens, and replace with a Slot Corner. Charvarius Ward.

In Dime (6 DBs), take out Damien Wilson and Anthony Hitchens. Add another Safety, Armani Watts, along with Charvarius Ward.