Jalon Daniels
Getty
The Chiefs hosted quarterback Jalon Daniels as part of their "local pro day"
The Kansas City Chiefs have been aggressive this offseason after missing the playoffs entirely in 2025, but it’s clear that their upcoming season is going to hinge on Patrick Mahomes‘ availability. After suffering a torn ACL and LCL late last season, Mahomes is attacking his injury rehab in an effort to be ready for the start of the 2026 season.
Even if Mahomes is ready for Week 1, Kansas City wants to have its quarterback depth chart stocked up in case things go south. The Chiefs have already brought Justin Fields and Jake Haener to town at this spot this offseason, but it looks like they may be interested in adding Kansas Jayhawks quarterback Jalon Daniels here as well.
Chiefs Work Out Jalon Daniels Before 2026 NFL Draft
Daniels is one of the more interesting quarterback prospects in the 2026 draft class. He spent six years with Kansas in college, as he missed considerable time with injuries during his time in town. When Daniels was on the field, though, he showed the potential to be a top-tier dual-threat quarterback, which has caught the attention of teams across the NFL.
In 2025, Daniels enjoyed his best campaign for the Jayhawks, as he threw for 2,531 yards and 22 touchdowns, while also rushing for 404 yards and four more scores. Daniels also lowered his interception rate significantly after leading all Big 12 passers with 12 picks in 2024, while improving his completion percentage.
Even though he is already 23 years old, Daniels still is a raw prospect, which is why he isn’t expected to come off the board until Day 3 of the draft, with the fifth-through-seventh rounds being where many evaluators believe he will get selected. Ahead of the draft, Kansas City opted to take a closer look at Daniels, as he was one of 37 prospects the team brought to town earlier this week as part of its “local pro day.”
“The Kansas City Chiefs hosted their annual ‘local pro day’ on Tuesday, which invited 37 area prospects to the team facility for an organized workout,” Matt McMullen of the team’s official website wrote. “It was an opportunity for the participants – each of whom attended either a local high school or university – to show the Chiefs’ coaches and scouts what they could do prior to the 2026 NFL Draft later this month.”
Should the Chiefs Draft Jalon Daniels?
Jalon Daniels
GettyThe Chiefs hosted quarterback Jalon Daniels as part of their “local pro day”
Daniels is not exactly a sure thing at the quarterback position, which is why there’s a chance he could even end up going undrafted when all is said and done. However, he has traits that have helped put him on the radar of several NFL teams, and in the final rounds of the draft, that may be what helps Daniels get selected by a team like the Chiefs.
K.C. already has a pretty loaded depth chart at quarterback, but with Mahomes’ status so uncertain, the front office likely wants to have as much protection at this spot as possible. Daniels likely isn’t going to be at the top of the team’s wish list when the draft rolls around, but if he falls into the late sixth-round/early seventh-round territory, he may be a player worth taking a flier on.