The 2026 East-West Shrine Bowl kicks off Tuesday night at 7 p.m. Arrowhead Time, airing on NFL Network.
For NFL teams eyeing late-round value or undrafted gems, this game is more than just an all-star exhibition-it’s a crucial scouting opportunity. And for the Kansas City Chiefs, who could use some added depth along the offensive line, the Shrine Bowl is a perfect place to start turning over stones.
With a full week of practices in Frisco, Texas, in the books, several offensive linemen have started to separate themselves from the pack. Here are five names who’ve made a strong impression and could be on the Chiefs’ radar as the draft approaches.
Brian Parker, OL, Duke
Brian Parker came into Shrine Bowl week with versatility already on his résumé-he played both right and left tackle at Duke. But this week, he’s making a switch that could boost his draft stock: he’s lining up exclusively at center, a position he hasn’t played since high school.
At 6'4" and 306 pounds, Parker is slightly undersized for an interior lineman, but what he lacks in bulk, he makes up for in movement skills. He’s a natural fit for teams that run zone-blocking schemes and ask their linemen to operate in space. That’s a trait the Chiefs have valued in recent years, especially with how often they get their offensive linemen on the move in screen games and pull blocks.
Despite the position switch, Parker has looked increasingly comfortable snapping the ball and handling interior responsibilities. His ability to adapt quickly, paired with his experience on the edge, makes him a compelling Day 3 candidate as a developmental depth piece. He may not be ready to start right away, but his versatility could be a real asset in a league where injuries and matchups demand flexibility.
Aamil Wagner, OT, Notre Dame
Notre Dame’s Aamil Wagner has been one of the early standouts from Shrine Bowl practices. A two-year starter in South Bend, Wagner came into the week with a reputation for athleticism, and he’s done nothing to dispel that.
Measuring 6'5", 306 pounds, and boasting arms longer than 34 inches, Wagner isn’t the heaviest lineman in the group, but his length and movement skills pop on tape-and they’ve popped in practice, too. He’s been working both tackle spots and has looked comfortable transitioning from left to right, a trait that teams covet in a potential swing tackle.
Wagner fires out of his stance with ease, engages defenders quickly, and shows good balance through contact. His anchor still needs some refinement-particularly in how he strikes and resets-but the raw tools are there. For a team like the Chiefs, who often carry multiple tackles with position flexibility, Wagner could be a smart developmental pick with upside down the road.
Caden Barnett, OL, Wyoming
Caden Barnett has quietly become one of the week’s biggest risers. A college tackle at Wyoming, Barnett has been taking reps at right guard in Shrine Bowl practices, signaling a likely shift to the interior at the next level.
At just under 6'4" and 316 pounds with 32-inch arms, Barnett doesn’t have prototypical tackle length, but he’s built like a guard and plays with the kind of edge you want inside. He’s a brawler-heavy hands, strong base, and a willingness to engage in the kind of trench warfare that defines NFL interior line play.
Barnett stood out in one-on-one pass protection drills with his ability to anchor and reset against power rushers. He’s not flashy, but he’s tough, technically sound, and clearly embraces the physicality of the position. For a team like Kansas City that values grit and depth along the interior, Barnett could be a solid Day 3 target who develops into a reliable backup or spot starter.
James Neal III, OL, Iowa State
James Neal III’s journey has been anything but conventional. Starting his college career at Independence Community College in Kansas before transferring to Iowa State, Neal has played all over the offensive line. As a senior, he started every game at left tackle, and that’s where he’s been lining up during Shrine Bowl practices.
At 6'4", 322 pounds with nearly 34-inch arms, Neal has the frame to play either tackle or guard in the NFL. He moves well for his size, with quick feet and a strong core that help him hold up in pass protection. In the run game, he uses his bend and leverage to displace defenders, particularly in downhill schemes.
Coming from a run-heavy system, Neal knows how to finish blocks and play with controlled aggression. He’s also shown an ability to pull and operate in space-traits that could make him attractive to teams like the Chiefs that use a variety of blocking concepts.
He’s not a polished product yet, but the tools are there. Neal fits the mold of a late-round or priority free agent who could grow into a valuable swing lineman.
Faialili Fa’amoe, OL, Wake Forest
Wake Forest’s Faialili Fa’amoe has quietly put together a strong week of practices, and he’s starting to look like a player who could hear his name called on draft weekend. An All-ACC performer, Fa’amoe measured in at 6'4", 311 pounds with 33.68-inch arms. He’s primarily projected as a guard at the next level, but his Shrine Bowl reps at right tackle have opened the door for some positional flexibility.
Fa’amoe has looked particularly sharp in pass protection, showing off clean footwork and an understanding of how to use angles to neutralize edge rushers. He’s got a bit of a nasty streak, too-something that shows up when he finishes blocks and refuses to give ground.
What stands out most is his balance of athleticism and technical skill. His hand placement is consistent, his core strength is evident, and he’s shown the ability to mirror defenders effectively. For teams looking to bolster depth with a player who could develop into a starter, Fa’amoe is trending in the right direction.
Bottom Line
The Shrine Bowl is always a proving ground for prospects looking to rise up draft boards, and this year’s offensive line group has offered plenty of intrigue. For the Chiefs, who are in the market for developmental depth across the line, several of these players fit the bill-versatile, athletic, and coachable linemen who can grow into bigger roles over time.
Tuesday night’s game will be the final showcase, but for many of these players, the work they’ve put in during practice has already started to turn heads. Whether it’s Parker’s adaptability, Wagner’s length and movement, Barnett’s grit, Neal’s athletic upside, or Fa’amoe’s technical polish-there’s talent here. The kind of talent that could be wearing red and gold in the not-so-distant future.