It was a pretty typical first preseason game. We didn’t see many starters; some rookies stood out and other veterans are still trying to find their place on the roster. The score didn’t matter much, but it was still pretty gratifying to see the 2026 Kansas City Chiefs take the field for the first time against another NFL team. Early results from the rookie class were largely positive, but some concerns were raised about depth on both sides of the ball. We won’t remember much about this game, but some of these guys certainly left impressions that could have significant implications on the initial roster. Here are a few that stood out as the Los Angeles Rams beat the Chiefs 20-12 on Saturday afternoon. KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI – AUGUST 15: Quarterback Garrett Nussmeier #14 of the Kansas City Chiefs looks for a wide receiver during the second quarter of an NFL preseason game against the Los Angeles Rams at Arrowhead Stadium on August 15, 2026 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by David Eulitt/Getty Images) Getty ImagesQuarterback Garrett Nussmeier: When the team drafts a quarterback late in the seventh round, there are no real expectations of success. But through a performance, they could be getting better for Nussmeier. Working under pressure most of the time, the LSU kid seemed poised and creative. He used his quick release and amazing running shooting ability to make plays against the Rams. Wide receiver Cyrus Allen: It wasn’t the most efficient debut for rookie Cyrus Allen, as he caught just two of his five targets. But the hype train gained some significant steam when it climbed the ladder to convert on 3rd and 8. It’s the type of play we’ve been waiting to see from Chiefs receivers for a long time: strong, aggressive hands, attacking the ball. Running back Emmett Johnson: Arguably the player of the game for Kansas City was the rookie from Nebraska. Emmett Johnson ran with poise, strength and vision, leading all running backs with 59 rushing yards. The new number 10 also caught his three targets, getting involved in the screen game. He’s been impressive throughout the offseason program, but if he continues to perform like this in games, Emmett will work his way up the field and move up the depth chart before the regular season even begins. Wide receiver Andrew Armstrong: Sure, he had that 17-yard reception on his only target of the afternoon. But his blocking was the one that stood out the most. A wide receiver like Armstrong, who is lower on the depth chart, has to make his mark on special teams and as a blocker. The Chiefs could use a big-bodied receiver who can serve up pancakes in the run game and screen game; Armstrong is 6 feet 4 inches tall and weighs 210 pounds. He could have taken a big step toward earning a job on Saturday. Safety Jaden Hicks: If Emmett Johnson was the offensive player of the game, Jaden Hicks was absolutely the big winner on the defensive side of the ball. This guy was everywhere against the Rams: seven tackles, one for loss and one pass defensed. After a very promising rookie season, he didn’t seem to earn the trust of his coaches last year. But in the first preseason game, Hicks was a man on a mission. Kicker Harrison Butker: I probably wasn’t alone in my concern and criticism surrounding the league’s highest-paid kicker, as he missed more kicks than any other kicker who kept his job in 2025. Against the Rams, Butker was a perfect 4/4, including a 59-yard drive that had plenty of room. EDGE R Mason Thomas: When you think of defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo’s pass rush, you’re not likely picturing an explosive, flexible pass rusher. In his recent tenure with the Chiefs, it has been all about creative corner blitzes and solid defensive ends. But this guy might be breaking the mold. Thomas showed uncommon quickness in getting to Los Angeles quarterbacks, but he was also active enough against the run to prove he belongs. It was a very promising debut for Thomas.KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI – AUGUST 15: Emari Demercado #25 of the Kansas City Chiefs is tackled by defensive tackle Payton Zdroik #62 and defensive tackle Bill Norton #93 of the Los Angeles Rams during the preseason game at Arrowhead Stadium on August 15, 2026 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) Getty ImagesNote: Applying the labels “losers” is not intended to be a judgment on the talent or character of any of these players. It is simply an easy way to rate your performance in a single game. No disrespect should be inferred. Running back Emari Demercado: Why wouldn’t the potential No. 2 running back enter this game until late? Why then was he able to gain only nine yards on three carries and not be targeted in the passing game? If the first preseason game is any indication of the running back roster, No. 10 could be the new No. 2. Defensive lineman Peter Woods: Outside of Cyrus Allen, Peter Woods might be the standout player in training camp. Unlike Allen, we didn’t see the same flashes from Woods in the first preseason game. It was a quiet night for the 2026 first-round pick: a decent pass rush play and a bad run defense play. It’s really no cause for concern; It just would have been fun to see more of Woods. Tight end Mason Pline: The tight end position is difficult to evaluate for this Chiefs team. There’s the literal GOAT and a handful of other guys. Pline wasn’t targeted in the passing game, but he did fail in pass protection, leading to a sack deep in Chiefs territory. We’d like to see a guy emerge from this group, even if it’s just as a blocker. Based on this limited sample, Pline has not yet made his case. The backup offensive linemen: In addition to the three sacks taken by rookie Garrett Nussmeier, there were five false start penalties that derailed multiple drives after the first team came out. Holding the penalties cost Emmett Johnson his first experience in the end zone. Caliendo, Driskell and Nourzad combined for seven of the twelve flags thrown against the Chiefs that day. Depth could still be an issue for this offensive line unit.
