Chiefs take advantage of waiver wire position with two defensive line claims

Key Points:

• The Kansas City Chiefs, holding the No. 9 spot in the NFL's 2026 waiver wire order, claimed two defensive players, defensive tackle Bryson Eason and defensive end Jack Pyburn, after they were released by other teams.
• Bryson Eason, a 6-2, 323-pound interior defender with six collegiate seasons at Tennessee, was graded as a sixth-round prospect and is expected to provide versatile depth on the Chiefs' defensive line.
• Jack Pyburn, who led the NFL in preseason sacks with four and played his final college season at LSU, also received a sixth-round grade and is notable for being part of a lawsuit allowing players to return to college.
• The Chiefs lost three players to other teams via waivers, including running back Emari Demercado to the Dallas Cowboys, offensive tackle Chu Godrick to the Miami Dolphins, and cornerback Melvin Smith Jr. to the Tennessee Titans.
• These roster moves reflect the Chiefs' strategic use of their high waiver priority to bolster their defense while adjusting their roster ahead of the 2026 season.