Andy Reid and the Kansas City Chiefs are continuing their work as they prepare for the 2026 NFL Draft, and one emerging name has started to gain real traction inside their scouting process. The Chiefs are expected to host Louisville defensive lineman Rene Konga on a top-30 visit in Kansas City, giving the organization a closer look at a player whose stock has been steadily climbing over the past year.
Konga, originally from Ottawa, Ontario, has also reportedly attracted interest from an AFC rival in the Miami Dolphins, setting up potential competition for his signature as draft boards begin to solidify.
NFL teams are allowed up to 30 official pre-draft visits with prospects each year, and these meetings often provide valuable insight into a player’s football IQ, personality, medical background, and overall fit within a team’s system.
While they do not guarantee draft selection, they are widely viewed as strong indicators of genuine interest. For Kansas City, this visit could be particularly meaningful as the franchise continues to evaluate depth options along the interior defensive line.
Konga’s rising profile
Konga‘s path to becoming a legitimate NFL prospect has been defined by steady development and an increasing level of production. He began his collegiate career at Rutgers, where he spent four seasons and appeared in 21 games.
During that stretch, he totaled 14 tackles, three tackles for loss, and two sacks. While his early numbers were modest, his experience helped lay the foundation for a more impactful role after transferring.
At Louisville, Konga‘s game took a noticeable step forward. Over two seasons with the Cardinals, he recorded 49 tackles and four sacks while becoming a more consistent presence on the defensive interior. His performance in 2025 earned him Second Team All-ACC honors, reflecting his growing influence within a competitive conference and his improved ability to disrupt both the run and pass game.
His athletic testing has also played a key role in boosting his draft value. At Louisville’s pro day on March 24, Konga delivered an impressive all-around showing. He ran a 4.79-second 40-yard dash, posted a 4.59-second shuttle, and completed a 7.03-second three-cone drill.
He also put up 20 repetitions on the bench press, recorded a 37-inch vertical jump, and reached a 10-foot-2-inch broad jump. Those figures would have ranked among the top performances for defensive tackles at the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine, highlighting his rare athletic profile for his position.
Originally projected as a likely CFL Draft selection and ranked among the top Canadian prospects, Konga‘s NFL momentum has shifted that outlook considerably. Some evaluators now view him as a potential Day 3 pick, especially given his upward trajectory and physical tools that translate well to the professional level.
As a result, there is growing belief that he may not be available to Canadian teams at all.
Konga represents a developmental option for the Chiefs who could strengthen a defensive front anchored by superstar Chris Jones. His versatility and athletic upside make him an intriguing fit in Kansas City’s rotation-based system.
However, with the Dolphins also monitoring his progress closely, the competition for the Canadian defensive lineman could intensify quickly as the draft approaches.
