Senior Bowl Recap: Standouts Chiefs Fans Should Keep an Eye On
While all eyes in Kansas City are locked on the Chiefs’ Super Bowl prep, the front office is already looking ahead - and that means Mobile, Alabama was a key stop this weekend. The 2026 Panini Senior Bowl wrapped up yesterday with the American Team taking down the National Team, 17-9, in a game that was more about grit than glamour. For the Chiefs, who are always looking to reload rather than rebuild, this was an important scouting opportunity - and several prospects made sure they were noticed.
Running Backs Make Their Case
Let’s start with the ground game, because in a low-scoring affair like this, the backs had a chance to shine - and a couple of them did just that.
Jaydn Ott, the Oklahoma running back (formerly at Cal), turned in a solid performance with 42 rushing yards. But it wasn’t just the yardage - it was how he got them.
Ott ran with purpose, showed good vision, and more importantly, flashed in pass protection. That last part might not light up a box score, but for NFL evaluators - especially a team like the Chiefs that leans heavily on pass-heavy sets - it’s gold.
At 5’10”, 200 pounds, Ott has the build to handle inside runs and the physicality to take on blitzers. After a quiet 2025 season, he reminded everyone why he was a 1,300-yard rusher at Cal before transferring.
Kaelon Black from Indiana also made the most of his reps, picking up 45 rushing yards and showing toughness between the tackles. His week of practice was reportedly inconsistent, but when the lights came on, he delivered. For a Chiefs team that could use depth and versatility in the backfield, both Ott and Black are names worth circling.
Trench Talk: O-Line Prospects Worth Watching
The Chiefs have built their offensive success on the back of strong line play - and with some potential reshuffling ahead this offseason, the Senior Bowl offered a look at a few intriguing options.
Jake Slaughter, the center from Florida, anchored the American Team’s interior line and helped pave the way for the run game. His poise and technique stood out in a game where defenses were flying around. On the edge, Max Iheanachor from Arizona State showed good footwork and balance, two traits that translate well to the next level - especially in a system like Kansas City’s that demands mobility and awareness from its tackles.
On the National Team, Keylan Rutledge of Georgia Tech turned heads at guard. If you watched Georgia Tech’s run game this past season, you know what Rutledge brings - power, leverage, and a nasty streak. He brought that same energy to Mobile, and it showed in his ability to move defenders off the ball.
Defense Brings the Heat
The defensive side of the ball wasn’t lacking for playmakers either, and with the Chiefs likely to target pass rushers in the draft, Zion Young out of Missouri is a name to remember. He had a strong week of practice and capped it off by earning Defensive MVP honors. His explosiveness off the edge and ability to disrupt plays in the backfield is exactly what Kansas City needs to keep the pressure on opposing quarterbacks.
Bryce Boettcher from Oregon was a tackling machine, leading the game with 10 stops. That kind of production stands out in any setting, but especially in an all-star game where rotations are constant and roles are shared.
And then there’s Quintayvious Hutchins of Boston College, who made his presence felt with three tackles for loss. He also came up with a key stop on a two-point conversion attempt, showcasing his ability to read and react quickly - a trait that translates well to the pros, particularly on special teams and in sub-packages early in his career.
Looking Ahead
For Chiefs fans, the Super Bowl is the headline - and rightfully so. But behind the scenes, the gears of roster building are always turning.
The Senior Bowl isn’t about finished products; it’s about potential, and this year’s game offered plenty of it. Whether it’s a tough, downhill runner like Ott, a versatile lineman like Slaughter, or a high-motor edge like Young, there are players from this game who could be wearing red and gold come training camp.
And if Brett Veach and his scouting team were in Mobile - and you can bet they were - they saw a handful of prospects who might just help keep the Chiefs’ championship window wide open.