The Kansas City Chiefs, fresh off yet another dominant season under head coach Andy Reid and superstar quarterback Patrick Mahomes, find themselves in an enviable but tricky position. With a roster loaded with experience, championship pedigree, and elite-level talent at key positions, most NFL teams might see training camp as a formality—a necessary tune-up for veterans, a proving ground for high draft picks, and little more. But in Kansas City, something unusual is happening. A group of undrafted free agents is turning what was supposed to be a routine summer into a legitimate competition. They’ve gone from unknowns and camp bodies to full-blown contenders for final roster spots, and in some cases, they may be forcing Reid and General Manager Brett Veach into tough decisions that even the most optimistic fans didn’t foresee just weeks ago.
Undrafted players making a splash during the offseason isn’t exactly a new storyline in the NFL. Each year, a few make headlines before ultimately being waived or stashed on practice squads. But this year’s Chiefs group is different. They aren’t just flashing for a day or two. They’re stacking impressive practices, making plays during live sessions, winning 1-on-1 drills, and showing they belong against Kansas City’s vaunted first and second-team units. Multiple veterans have gone on record praising the poise and performance of these underdogs. Coaches, typically guarded with their words during training camp, are openly acknowledging that these players are making it impossible to ignore them. What makes the story even more fascinating is that these players come from unheralded programs, carry chips the size of Arrowhead Stadium on their shoulders, and are approaching each rep like it’s their last—because for many of them, it might be.
One name that keeps coming up again and again is wide receiver Xavier Worthy, who wasn’t technically undrafted since he was a Day 2 draft pick, but has shared much of the spotlight with true undrafted wideouts like Nikko Remigio and Ty Scott. Remigio, who went undrafted out of Fresno State, has been nothing short of electric in camp. His quick-twitch route running, sticky hands, and punt return ability have already drawn comparisons to a young Hunter Renfrow or even Julian Edelman. The Chiefs special teams unit has historically been a breeding ground for overlooked talent to prove themselves, and Remigio seems like the latest project to go from overlooked to indispensable. During a recent practice open to the media, he torched a second-string cornerback on a go route, caught a perfect strike from backup QB Chris Oladokun, and proceeded to break two tackles on his way to the end zone. It wasn’t just a flashy play—it was the kind of moment that sends coaches back to the film room asking, “Can we afford to let this guy go?”
Ty Scott, a rangy 6-foot-2 receiver out of Missouri State, has been equally impressive. With the Chiefs losing veteran depth at receiver, including the trade of Marquez Valdes-Scantling and the uncertain status of Kadarius Toney, there’s room for new blood. Scott has been making the most of it, hauling in contested catches, blocking effectively in the run game, and showing the kind of physicality that Andy Reid values in situational football. What stands out about Scott isn’t just his athleticism—it’s his demeanor. Multiple beat reporters have commented on his “business-like” approach to practice. He stays late, watches film, asks questions, and is clearly working to become more than just a camp standout. The coaching staff has taken notice. In fact, a recent quote from offensive coordinator Matt Nagy revealed just how close Scott is to earning a spot: “He’s doing everything right. At some point, we’re going to have to decide if we’re okay letting him get away.”
On the defensive side of the ball, the Chiefs have seen similar surprises. Undrafted linebacker Cam Jones out of Indiana has been a revelation. Originally seen as a long shot to make it past rookie minicamp, Jones has not only stuck around—he’s thriving. With quick instincts, solid sideline-to-sideline range, and a violent approach to tackling, Jones is disrupting everything from screen plays to inside zone runs. He’s been getting second-team reps consistently, and in some drills has even rotated in with the starters. That’s no small feat when you consider the depth the Chiefs already have at linebacker, including Nick Bolton, Drue Tranquill, and Willie Gay Jr. It would’ve been easy for a guy like Jones to accept his role as a special teams hopeful, but he’s pushing for something greater. After one of his standout practices, where he intercepted a tipped ball in the red zone and ran it back 80 yards untouched, teammates mobbed him in celebration. For a moment, it didn’t feel like a camp interception. It felt like a season-defining play.
Even on the offensive line, often the most stable and least flashy unit on any NFL roster, undrafted talent is creating waves. Jerome Carvin, who went undrafted out of Tennessee, has been rotating in at both guard positions and even took a few snaps at center. In Kansas City’s offense, versatility is currency, and Carvin is stacking riches. His ability to absorb blitzes, recognize stunts, and move well in the screen game has coaches quietly whispering that he may force a veteran off the 53-man roster. The interior offensive line already features stars like Joe Thuney and Creed Humphrey, but Carvin’s emergence is important for depth and long-term planning. The Chiefs aren’t just looking for short-term production—they’re planning to sustain success for years, and Carvin might be part of that vision sooner than anyone expected.
Another name that’s generating serious buzz is cornerback Ekow Boye-Doe, the Kansas State product who many believed had raw athleticism but not enough polish to make an NFL impact. That narrative is quickly being rewritten. Boye-Doe has made several eye-popping plays during team drills, including a pair of diving pass breakups that drew gasps from the crowd and high-fives from teammates. What’s made his rise particularly remarkable is how well he’s adapted to defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo’s notoriously complex system. Rookies—especially undrafted ones—usually take time to adjust. But Boye-Doe has looked like a veteran, diagnosing route concepts pre-snap and communicating coverage shifts confidently. On a team that already boasts strong secondary talent, his potential to be a nickel or dime corner who contributes on special teams gives the Chiefs even more flexibility.
It’s impossible to talk about these hidden gems without acknowledging the culture that fosters them. The Chiefs have built a championship organization not just by investing in stars but by empowering the entire roster. From the top down, there is a belief that talent can come from anywhere. Andy Reid’s long track record of developing overlooked players—from late-round picks to undrafted free agents—isn’t an accident. The coaching staff doesn’t just evaluate players based on where they were drafted; they focus on whether they can help the team win. That meritocratic mindset is what allows players like Remigio, Scott, Jones, Carvin, and Boye-Doe to thrive. They aren’t being given chances—they’re earning them.
As camp progresses and preseason games get underway, the pressure will only increase. These players will need to show they can perform not just in drills, but in game situations. Can they execute in live action against real NFL defenders? Can they adjust to play calls on the fly? Can they bring the same energy when it’s not a practice highlight, but a third-down with real consequences? For many of these players, those answers are already starting to come into focus. They aren’t blinking. They’re making plays, earning respect, and doing everything necessary to flip the script.
There’s also the business side of it all. The Chiefs, like all NFL teams, have to trim their roster down to 53 men by the end of the preseason. For every undrafted star making waves, there’s a veteran who may be feeling the heat. With a hard salary cap in place and Mahomes’ mega-deal structured to keep the team competitive, financial efficiency matters. If an undrafted player can provide 95% of a veteran’s production at a fraction of the cost, it’s not just a feel-good story—it’s a smart football move. That calculus becomes very real over the coming weeks, and it could lead to surprising cuts that reflect just how impactful these underdogs have been.
In a league driven by stars and storylines, it’s easy to overlook the bottom third of the roster. But in Kansas City, the bottom is rising. The players once considered longshots are now writing their own narratives. They’re showing that heart, grit, and preparation can level the playing field. For the fans watching from the stands or refreshing training camp reports online, these stories are more than just camp intrigue—they’re reminders of what makes football great. The game rewards those who refuse to quit, who keep grinding long after the cameras are off and the reporters have gone home. These Chiefs rookies are proving that undrafted doesn’t mean unwanted. In Kansas City, it might just mean unstoppable.
