By MATT PIKE
Kansas City Chiefs rookies and quarterbacks hit the Mosaic Practice Fields at Missouri Western State University in St. Joseph for the first time ahead of the official start of Chiefs Training Camp on Saturday.
39 players took the field and battled heat and humidity for an hour and 45 mintues with temperatures reaching as high as 86 degrees, but feeling as hot as 99 degrees heat index. Rookies though took advantage of the first of the three practice days ahead of the start of camp, to be able to relearn and reacclimate to the playbook.
Chiefs first round pick defensive tackle Peter Woods told reporters following practice he was grateful to have the three days back on the field before getting back to work with the veterans.
"Told somebody earlier that the veterans they have a standard for what they want to see from us young guys," Woods says. "And just coming in and being able to have some days to prepare myself to be able to mesh well with the veterans, that means a lot to me, everybody don't get a chance to do that."
Woods was one of four defensive players the Chiefs took in the 2026 NFL Draft. Kansas City stocked up on defense using four of their seven picks to address the defensive side of the ball. Another addition along the defensive line in the draft, was edge rusher R Mason Thomas.
A second round pick out of Oklahoma, Thomas says his adjustment to defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo's scheme has been slightly easier, because of how similiar it is to Oklahoma head coach Brent Venables.
"I was just talking to coach V about that, like they're agressive, they have simiilar calls, so I think the terminology for here is the difference," Thomas explains. "So, just some things that coach V says, that they say, means something different so you've just got to rep it, so that's one of the biggest things."
Thomas could make an instant impact along the defensive line, along with Woods. The Chiefs lost both Mike Danna and Charles Omenihu this offseason, leaving open an edge rusher spot opposite George Karlaftis. Thomas is likely to compete with last years third round pick Ashton Gillote along with potentially 2023 first round pick Felix Anudike-Uzomah.
Back on the practice field after missing Chiefs Organized Team Activties was the Chiefs other first round pick, cornerback Mansoor Delane Delane sat out OTA's with a shoulder injury, and practiced on Saturday in a gold non contact jersey.
Kansas City found themselves in desperate need of cornerback help this offseason, losing Jaylen Watson to free agency and trading Trent McDuffie, ironically both landing with the Los Angles Rams. The Chiefs used the ninth pick in the 2026 draft to trade up with the Cleveland Browns to pick six to draft Delane who was considered one of the top cornerbacks in the draft class.
Delane says now as he adjusts to the National Football League the area he feels he needs to improve the most in, is everywhere.
"I feel like there's room for improvement everywhere, the NFL is a different game, so just never thinking I know it all just a lot of room for improvement," Delane says.
After sitting out OTA's, Delane says now back on the practice field he's working to get his feet back under him.
"I'm back acclimated to conditioning, being with the team, that's where I'm at," Delane adds.
While 39 players entered practice, only 36 left the field at the end with three unfortunately unable to finish. First-year defensive end Ethan Downs went down with an apparent left leg injury during 7-on-7 drills while linebacker Wesley Bissainthe and offensive guard Josh Thompson also left practice early. The Chiefs expect to deliver injury updates on all three players Sunday.
Chiefs rookies and quarterbacks will be back on the Mosaic Life Care Practice Fields at 9:15am tomorrow. Once again, practices on Sunday and Monday are not open to the public.
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