Chiefs Training Camp Observations Day 2: Rookies Jake Briningstool, Jalen Royals making most of first-team opportunities

Below you'll find observations from our very own Nick Roesch based on what he saw during practice on Wednesday. 

Rookies Jake Briningstool & Jalen Royals make several big plays

Quality depth at pass catcher is not something the Chiefs have had over the past few years. However, that could be changing thanks to some great scouting by GM Brett Veach and his staff. During Wednesday's practice, Briningstool and Royals took several reps with the first-team offense.

Briningstool is an undrafted free agent who possesses tremendous athletic upside . The Chiefs' coaching staff showed him a vote of confidence by giving him first team reps, and he made the most of them as he reeled in multiple catches, including this touchdown from QB Patrick Mahomes:

Travis Kelce and Noah Gray are firmly entrenched as the top two TEs on the roster, but Briningstool could slide in behind them at No. 3. He is competing with veteran Robert Tonyan and Jared Wiley, but it appears that Briningstool has the jump on them early on.

As for Royals, he also shined with the first-team offense - catching two touchdown passes from Mahomes (H/T Price Carter of Arrowhead Addict).

Royals also had several other receptions on the day. Rashee Rice, Hollywood Brown, and Xavier Worthy top K.C.'s WR depth chart, but it's wide open beyond that. Royals could be an instant redzone threat, as he proved today. A likely suspension for Rice at some point during the regular season will also open up opportunities for Royals.

Tyquan Thornton makes the play of the day

Another pass catcher made a big impression today, as Thornton made a leaping catch from Mahomes down the sideline (H/T 810 Sports Radio).

Thornton created significant separation against a good CB in Jaylen Watson on the play. Like Royals, Thornton also received reps with the first-team offense, particularly in the redzone. A former second-round draft pick by the New England Patriots in 2022, Thornton's skillset fits nicely in coach Andy Reid's system. 

Brashard Smith flashes speed and versatility 

Eyebrows were raised when the Chiefs selected the WR turned RB in the seventh round of April's draft. Smith's ability to catch passes out of the backfield is something the Chiefs have missed since the days of Jerick McKinnon. 

Smith could make an impact as a third down back this season. His ability to pass protect will factor in largely to that, which we'll see next week when the pads come on. Another thing that can help him make the roster is being a return specialist. Smith fielded several punts during Wednesday's practice.

A surprising backup center

In a surprising twist, guard Mike Caliendo played center today with the second-team offense. He has experience at the position dating back to his collegiate days at Western Michigan. The Chiefs do have a logjam at the guard position, so experimenting him at center is a wise move.

A few defensive notes

Defensive players don't get as much of an opportunity to shine during camp until the pads come on. However, I have a couple notes:

• CB Chris Roland-Wallace had a nice pass breakup against WR Skyy Moore.

• Second-round draft pick DT Omarr Norman-Lott received plenty of snaps with the first-team defense (H/T Sam McDowell of The Kansas City Star).

Third-round draft pick DE Ashton Gillotte flashed his quickness (H/T Nick Jacobs of KSHB41).