Here we’ll try to look at two players who are way-too-early 2026 NFL Draft prospects the Kansas City Chiefs must monitor.
In today’s NFL, sustained greatness is rare. However, for the Kansas City Chiefs, it’s become the norm.
Year after year, Patrick Mahomes and Andy Reid push the boundaries of what’s possible in a salary-cap league, masking flaws with elite quarterback play and timely coaching brilliance.
As the 2026 NFL Draft begins to glimmer on the far horizon, the Chiefs’ front office must stay ahead of the curve.
Reloading is the name of the game. It all starts with knowing which college prospects could be the next to don red and gold.
Here are two players Kansas City should have circled entering the 2025 college football season.
Contender But Not Untouchable
The 2024 Chiefs came up just one game short of a historic third straight Super Bowl title. Sure, their blowout loss to the Eagles in the big game was disappointing.
Still, Kansas City deserves credit for extending its AFC West dominance with a ninth consecutive division crown. They also, once again, eliminated the Bills in the playoffs. That’s already four times in five years.
Sorry, Bills fans.Jan 18, 2025; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) reacts before a 2025 AFC divisional round game against the Houston Texans at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.
Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images
Having said that, a +59 point differential (11th in the league) reveals that this wasn’t a vintage Chiefs offense. The unit struggled to consistently overwhelm opponents.
That mediocrity showed up on tape and in the box score. Heading into 2025, Kansas City is banking on upgraded protection up front and a healthier roster to make another title push. That’s a possibility that always feels real as long as No. 15 is under center.
The Chiefs remain part of the NFL’s elite tier alongside teams like the Bills, Eagles, and Ravens. However, it’s worth noting they went a perfect 11-0 in one-score games last season.
That’s a streak that’s unlikely to repeat. Kansas City should still be a playoff lock and a postseason threat, but securing the AFC’s top seed may prove more difficult this time around.
Here we’ll try to look at two players who are way-too-early 2026 NFL Draft prospects the Kansas City Chiefs must monitor.
A Versatile Answer in the Secondary
The back end of the Chiefs’ defense is in flux. That’s actually being generous. Sure, the franchise remains optimistic about young safeties Jaden Hicks and Chamarri Conner.
However, neither has seized the starting role with enough consistency to lock down the position long term.
That’s why Dillon Thieneman out of Oregon is a name worth monitoring.
Originally a standout at Purdue, Thieneman erupted in 2023 with six interceptions and 104 tackles as a true freshman.
Those numbers instantly made scouts take notice. His decision to transfer to Oregon was strategic. Under head coach Dan Lanning’s pro-style defensive system, Thieneman will get to showcase his range as both a high safety and in-the-box enforcer. That hybrid versatility aligns perfectly with the Chiefs’ defensive schemes under Steve Spagnuolo.
Measuring 6’0″ and 207 pounds, Thieneman brings a rare blend of intelligence, physicality, and ball-hawking instincts.
The Chiefs have long leaned on do-it-all safeties like Tyrann Mathieu and Justin Reid to stabilize the back end. Thieneman looks like a worthy heir to that mold.
Assuming Kansas City doesn’t see breakout seasons from Hicks or Conner, or if depth continues to be tested by injury, don’t be surprised if Thieneman becomes one of their top defensive targets in the 2026 draft. He’s a playmaker with NFL bloodlines and the mentality to be a starter from Day 1.
