In the blink of an eye, Kansas City Chiefs football is almost back. The reigning AFC champions will soon embark on their quest for another year of contention, and there’s no shortage of stars to help lead the way.

With that said, some of Andy Reid’s lesser-known players will stand out this preseason. Quarterback Patrick Mahomes doesn’t need the reps (and may not get as many as Reid says he will). It all starts with an August 9 preseason outing against the Arizona Cardinals.

There are endless options to choose from, but five particular players are worth monitoring on the field at State Farm Stadium.

When the Chiefs signed Jaylon Moore this offseason, many believed that meant the team had him as its starting left tackle for 2025-26. Every moment since the April draft pickup of Josh Simmons, however, has indicated the opposite.

Throughout the offseason program, Simmons has stood out at every step of the way. The Ohio State product is now on the other side of a patellar tendon injury and has fully participated in training camp. He looks the part, and Kansas City hasn’t shied away from hyping him up in recent weeks. Even Reid himself is pleased with the first-rounder’s progress.

Against the Cardinals, Simmons will get his first taste of NFL action. How he fares alongside 2024 second-round pick Kingsley Suamataia will be telling. The two haven’t always picked up stunts and games with fluidity at practice. Although it’s unlikely that Arizona will unleash a bizarre defensive game plan on Saturday, every rep can still tell a story.

If Simmons puts up a solid unofficial debut, the hype train for him being Kansas City’s Week 1 starter might break speed records.

The top of the Chiefs’ running back room is set. Isiah Pacheco, coming off an injury-shortened 2024 campaign, is finally healthy. The football world should know early on whether he’s the same player he once was or if a broken fibula sapped him of some athleticism. Behind him, Kareem Hunt remains a useful short-yardage weapon even at the age of 30.

Kansas City has a pair of wild cards within that group, though. One of them is veteran Elijah Mitchell, who broke onto the scene with the San Francisco 49ers years ago. With that said, he hasn’t put up a consistent or productive season in quite a while. He’s also a significant injury risk. Whatever Mitchell provides should be considered icing on the cake. The same is true for rookie Brashard Smith.

Smith, a seventh-round pick, seems to produce a new highlight each practice. He’s an athletic specimen and a converted wide receiver. He also has special teams versatility, which could prove to be the difference. Smith needs to not only show that he’s a capable and versatile piece, but he must do the little things like pass protect. His roster candidacy is still up in the air. A solid showing on Saturday might sway the math.