Preview every DE on the KC Chiefs' 90-man roster before training camp

The Kansas City Chiefs need their pass-rush to become a more dominant force in 2026 after the unit failed to buoy Steve Spagnuolo's defense last season.

Chiefs general manager Brett Veach made a few offseason moves to shore up Kansas City's front-four, but failed to acquire an already-elite sack-master to give his team a much-needed shot in the arm.

While the interior of the Chiefs' defensive line — led by All-Pro pass-rusher Chris Jones — is expected to be among Kansas City's strongest groups, the edges remain an unproven commodity.

Take a look at every defensive end currently on the Chiefs' payroll:

DE George Karlaftis

Karlaftis will be one of Kansas City's most valuable defensive starters in Week 1 and has plenty of room to improve on his 2025 regular-season campaign, which saw him 48 combined tackles and six sacks.

2026 cap number: $7,402,000

DE Ashton Gillotte

The Chiefs drafted Gillotte to bolster the depth on the edges of their defensive line, but didn't get the results some pundits expected from the former Louisville Cardinals standout last season. If Gillotte takes a step forward in 2026, Kansas City's pass-rush could be among the NFL's best.

2026 cap number: $1,532,869

DE Tyreke Smith

This former Ohio State Buckeye will fight for a spot on the Chiefs' 53-man roster during training camp, and may be able to force his way onto the field if he is a top producer in Kansas City's preseason exhibitions.

2026 cap number: $1,005,000

DE R Mason Thomas

The Chiefs selected Thomas in the second round of the 2026 NFL Draft, and may count on the rookie to play a significant role in their defense as Steve Spagnuolo looks to re-tool his approach for the new season.

2026 cap number: $2,217,601

DE Felix Anudike-Uzomah

A Kansas City native, Anudike-Uzomah was the Chiefs' only first-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, but has yet to make a name for himself as a member of the team's defense. If he fails to earn playing time next season, his tenure in Kansas City may be set to come to an unceremonious end.

2026 cap number: $3,760,216

DE Anthony Dunn

Though he faces an uphill battle to earn a spot on Kansas City's final roster, Dunn has some physical tools which may make him an ideal fit to begin his career as a member of the Chiefs' practice squad.

2026 cap number: $885,000

DE V.J. Anthony

A former Duke Bluw Devil, Anthony signed with Kansas City as an undrafted free agent earlier this year and will face serious headwinds in his pursuit to earn a spot on the Chiefs' 53-man roster.

2026 cap number: $891,666

This article originally appeared on Chiefs Wire: Preview every DE on the KC Chiefs' 90-man roster before training camp