Young rising Chiefs player singled out on top 2026 breakouts list
The Kansas City Chiefs may have a future superstar on their hands.
No one is quite sure how the 2026 NFL season is going to play out for the Kansas City Chiefs . After such a brutal 2025 , in which the team went 6-11 and looked like a shell of its former self, expectations aren't quite as high going into this upcoming season as before.
Despite that, Patrick Mahomes should be fully healthy by Week 1, Kenneth Walker is now on the roster, and Travis Kelce looks to have turned back the clock in what could be his final season. The offense seems to be in good shape, but the defense has some question marks .
With that in mind, most of the team's additions during the offseason came on the defensive side of the ball. In particular, the team got busy in the 2026 NFL Draft in order to fortify their defense. Cornerback Mansoor Delane and defensive tackle Peter Woods were the team's pair of first round picks. Yet it might be second round defensive end R Mason Thomas who steals the headlines in his rookie season.
R Mason Thomas makes list of Top 10 breakout players to watch around NFL
Matt Verderame of Sports Illustrated recently highlighted 10 players who NFL executives around the league believe will break out in 2026. Thomas was the only Chiefs player to make the list , which shows how much of an impression he's already made on the league.
With the No. 40 pick, the Chiefs did something they never do: draft a small edge rusher. Thomas, who weighs 239 pounds, is about 25-30 pounds lighter than the defensive ends coordinator Steve Spagnuolo has employed in Kansas City, including Frank Clark, Carlos Dunlap and George Karlaftis. However, early results say the Chiefs should have considered this path much sooner. Thomas has been destructive throughout the preseason. In three games, he’s racked up four tackles, three quarterback hits, two passes defensed and a sack. It’s early, but the Chiefs believe they may have found someone who can push the pocket and create havoc from the opposite side of Karlaftis, with perennial All-Pro Chris Jones working on the interior.
The Chiefs could really use an explosive pass-rusher. George Karlaftis is a solid player, but the rest of the EDGE corps leaves a lot to be desired . Thomas could quickly make an impact for a defense that sorely needs it.
