The Kansas City Chiefs may have just kicked off training camp, but their scouting department has been grinding for months, identifying college players who could fill key roles in 2026. These five prospects align with pressing roster needs and are worth tracking throughout the college season for both the front office and Chiefs fans.
Five targets for the Chiefs in the 2026 NFL Draft
Matayo Uiagalelei, DE, Oregon
While the Chiefs are set at one defensive end with George Karlaftis, the other spot might be the weakest position on the team going into the year. To address that need they could take someone like Matayo Uiagalelei of Oregon. The first team All-Big Ten pick led the Big Ten during the regular season with 10.5 sacks and uses his impressive power to bullrush offensive tackles as a pass rusher, and hold his ground vs the run. He would make a great first round pick for the Chiefs.
Denzel Boston, WR, Washington
Kansas City’s passing attack lacked explosiveness last season, and while Rashee Rice and Xavier Worthy are solid, neither fills the role of a physical outside receiver. Washington’s Denzel Boston could be that guy. At 6-foot-4 and 209 pounds, he thrives in contested catches and shows surprising agility for his size. If he’s still on the board on Day 2, Boston could give the Chiefs a true boundary threat who helps reshape their vertical game.
Nicholas Singleton, RB, Penn State
Another dynamic playmaker the Chiefs could add on Day 2 of the 2026 NFL Draft is running back Nicholas Singleton. Singleton, who runs a 4.35 in the 40-yard dash, is a threat every time he touches the ball and contributes as a receiver out of the backfield. He led the Big Ten in all-purpose yards last season and would form a strong tandem with Isiah Pacheco, who has battled numerous injuries during his NFL career.
Nick Singleton with the one-handed TD for @PennStateFball 🔥
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) October 27, 2024
📺: NBC pic.twitter.com/pAdlJ2guWn
Tim Keenan III, DT, Alabama
Despite this being the Chiefs’ top need going into the season according to Bleacher Report, it’s a position they may wait to address until the third or fourth round after selecting Omarr Norman-Lott in the second round of the 2025 NFL Draft. Keenan is the opposite of Norman-Lott, who is a quick and athletic defensive tackle, while Keenan is a 6-foot-2, 326-pound run-stuffer. His 89.8 PFF run defense grade last season ranked third among Power Four defensive tackles, trailing only Mason Graham and Walter Nolen, both of whom were first-round picks this year.
Emmanuel Pregnon, OG, Oregon
One of the biggest losses the Chiefs suffered this offseason was Joe Thuney signing with the Chicago Bears. They’re hoping 2024 second-round pick Kingsley Suamataia can fill that role, but he struggled for most of last season and earned just a fourth-round grade on my board going into the draft. Oregon’s Emmanuel Pregnon is a big, physical offensive guard who was named to the All-Big Ten second team last year. The Chiefs could use one of their two fourth-round picks to grab Pregnon as a developmental option with starter upside.