The Kansas City Chiefs are doing their homework as the regular season winds down, bringing in a group of 10 players for tryouts on Tuesday, per the NFL transaction wire. With the playoffs looming, this kind of roster evaluation is all about finding depth, future upside, or emergency help - and the list of names they brought in reflects a mix of young talent and intriguing potential.
Here’s who the Chiefs took a look at:
- DB B.J. Adams
- LB Kam Arnold
- LB Michael Barrett
- G Nick Broeker
- DB Darrick Forrest
- DB LaMareon James
- DB Jaylen Mahoney
- RB Damien Martinez
- DB Tanner McCalister
- DB Cam Smith
Let’s break down a couple of the more notable names from that group.
Damien Martinez is a name that might ring a bell for draft watchers. Just 22 years old, he was a seventh-round pick by the Seahawks in the 2025 NFL Draft out of Miami.
Seattle signed him to a four-year rookie deal worth just over $4.3 million, with a base salary of $840,000 for 2025. But like many late-round picks, Martinez found himself on the outside looking in after final roster cuts.
He did land on the Seahawks’ practice squad briefly before being released again.
Martinez had a productive college career, showing a strong blend of vision and durability. Over three seasons, he played in 38 games and racked up 3,169 rushing yards and 26 touchdowns on 514 carries.
He also added value in the passing game with 32 catches for 391 yards. That kind of dual-threat production is exactly what teams look for in a developmental back - especially one who’s still just scratching the surface.
Then there’s Cam Smith, who brings a bit more pedigree to the table. The 24-year-old cornerback was a second-round pick by the Dolphins in 2023, selected No. 51 overall after a solid run at South Carolina. He’s now in year three of his rookie contract - a four-year, $7 million deal that included a $2.1 million signing bonus.
Smith was a three-year starter in college, where he made 19 starts in 33 appearances. His stat line shows a player who was consistently around the ball: 91 total tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, a forced fumble, six interceptions, and 24 pass breakups. That ball-hawking ability translated to the pros in flashes - in 2024, he played in six games for Miami and recorded 16 total tackles.
It’s worth noting that the Chiefs brought in a heavy dose of defensive backs for these tryouts - six in total. That could be a sign they’re looking to bolster depth in the secondary, possibly due to injuries or just to keep the competition sharp as they head into the postseason. Defensive backfields take a beating over the course of a season, and having fresh legs with upside on standby can make all the difference in January.
Linebackers Kam Arnold and Michael Barrett, along with guard Nick Broeker, also got a look, as did DBs like Jaylen Mahoney and Darrick Forrest - the latter of whom has starting experience in the league. These aren’t just camp bodies; they’re players who could be called upon if the opportunity arises.
For Kansas City, this is standard operating procedure. The front office has built one of the league’s most consistent contenders by staying aggressive on the margins - whether it’s drafting, trading, or combing through the free agent and practice squad pools for hidden value. Tuesday’s tryouts are just another example of that approach in action.
No signings have been announced yet, but don’t be surprised if a name or two from this group ends up in a Chiefs uniform before the season’s over.