Chiefs Training Camp Roster Superlatives: Preseason Week 1 Standouts

As training camp rolls on in St. Joseph, Missouri, the Kansas City Chiefs are ramping up for their upcoming preseason opener against the Los Angeles Rams. Scheduled for Saturday, August 15th, at Arrowhead Stadium, this early August matchup provides a perfect lens to examine the roster’s extremes through a fun series of superlatives.

Giants and Speedsters on the Practice Fields

Camp battles are heating up across the depth chart, highlighted by unique physical profiles. Offensive tackle Ethan Driskell towers over the roster at 6 feet 8 3/8 inches tall. According to team observations, the third-year player from the University of Marshall has primarily held down the third-team right tackle spot. However, when starting right guard Trey Smith missed practice last week, Driskell stepped up to take additional reps with the second-team unit.

On the opposite end of the size spectrum, wide receiver and return specialist Jacob De Jesus stands at 5 feet 6 inches tall. The product of the University of California has emerged as the most impressive undrafted free agent among the rookie class during camp. Special teams coordinator Dave Toub addressed De Jesus’s prospects after practice on Saturday:

“De Jesus is solid, great catcher, just not a real big guy,” Dave Toub acknowledged. “He’s going to be exciting in the preseason games, for sure.”

Despite making waves, breaking onto the final 53-man roster remains a steep uphill climb for the rookie.

Power in the Trenches and Massive Wingspans

Massive frames anchor the interior defensive line, led by undrafted rookie Cole Brevard out of the University of Texas. Weighing in at 343 pounds, the large nose tackle looks to translate that sheer weight into productive snaps during preseason action as he pursues a spot on the practice squad as a reserve A-gap tackle.

Meanwhile, external acquisitions are making their physical presence known along the line. Offensive lineman Matt Waletzko arrived in Kansas City carrying a former Dallas Cowboys fifth-round draft pedigree, having appeared in 11 games for Dallas between the 2022 and 2024 seasons. In camp, he has logged reps on the third-team offensive line at both tackle and guard, boasting a wingspan featuring 36 1/8 inches of arm length.

Battle-tested veterans are also fighting for foundational roles. Offensive tackle Jaylon Moore enters the mix for the right tackle job opposite rookie Kahlil Benson. While Benson arrived with a larger pre-draft profile, Moore counters with an 11-inch hand size—the biggest paws on the team—providing a critical asset for sustaining blocks in the trenches.

Explosive Speed and Basketball Roots

Speed kills in the modern NFL, and the Chiefs boast elite burners across the receiving corps. Xavier Worthy sets the blistering pace with a 4.21-second time in the 40-yard dash, closely followed by Tyquan Thornton at 4.28 seconds. Matching Thornton stride-for-stride is undrafted rookie wide receiver Omari Evans out of the University of Washington. Standing 6 feet tall and weighing 190 pounds, Evans pairs his 4.28-second speed with a 41-inch vertical leap from his pre-draft testing.

Acceleration numbers further illuminate the roster’s athletic upside. Wide receiver Jeff Caldwell, an athlete from the University of Cincinnati, has spent camp buried on the depth chart with the third-team offense. Nevertheless, the preseason offers an ideal stage for Caldwell to display a 1.48-second 10-yard split, a 42-inch vertical leap, and a team-leading broad jump of 134 inches.

Athletic versatility extends to the football room as well. Most recently a basketball player at Furman University, Pline transitioned to football and entered the NFL in the 2024 draft cycle after one season with the Paladins, following a dual-sport career at Ferris State University. Standing over 6 feet 6 inches tall and weighing 251 pounds, Pline has translated his hardwood rebounding skills directly to the gridiron, regularly stretching out to secure high-point catches with the reserve units during camp.