Xavier Nwankpa 2026 NFL Draft Scouting Report for Kansas City Chiefs S

The Kansas City Chiefs are reportedly signing Iowa safety Xavier Nwankpa as an undrafted rookie free-agent, per NFL insider Jordan Schultz.

Xavier Nwankpa has the physical traits to make a natural transition to safety in the NFL. Nwankpa is the type of effort-based player who will do whatever is asked of him, which NFL coaching staffs will love.

A former 5-star recruit, Nwankpa played his entire collegiate career at Iowa. He entered his senior year by playing in all 40 games with 23 starts. The defensive back saw his best production as a tackler in 2025 with 76 tackles (50 solo), one tackle for loss, one interception, and two forced fumbles.

He projects as an assignment-sound split or box safety who will come up and tackle and play on special teams.

Dan has covered the Kansas City Chiefs and the NFL Draft since 2019 while contributing for RGR Football. Most recently, he spent the 2025 draft cycle at The Draft Network and is entering his first season in our scouting department.

Highlights

Xavier Nwankpa highlights

00:55

Scroll down for the full scouting report.

Where He Wins

David K Purdy/Getty Images

— Nwankpa is routinely in the right place. As such, he can wear a multitude of hats for a defense. He excels as a box safety, reading out plays and triggering downhill to make big hits.

— The defensive back reads the quarterbacks eyes and locates the football at a high level, adding to his impact as a read-and-react defender, particularly in the run game. He's a well-equipped tackler and understands leverage.

— He's a willing run defender and adds an extra power player when operating in the box. Nwankpa has the strength and "want to" to take on blocks and shed from any offensive player.

— He has the size, length and athleticism to take on tight ends in man coverage. He works to create contact at the top of routes to throw off timing and displays the presence of mind to pass off in zone coverage while mirroring the quarterback.

Areas of Improvement

Joe Robbins/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

— Nwankpa is more of a reactionary defender when working on the back end, rather than playing with instinctual movements. He will lock onto a quarterback's eyes and needs to remain more disciplined in zone coverage.

— He's rigid in his backpedal, which impacts his ability to fluidly turn his hips and close space. His reactionary play ties to his rigidity and makes him late at the catch point when working down the field.

— He's improved his physicality as a tackler this season, but he must consistently wrap up and not lower his head.

Grade, Rank and Pro Comparison

John Rivera/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

GRADE: 6.8 (Role Player/Part-Time Contributor - Fourth Round)

COMPARABLE GRADE: S R.J. Mickens, Clemson (6.8 in 2025), S Jaylin Simpson, Auburn (6.8 in 2024), S Sydney Brown, Illinois (6.6 in 2023)

OVERALL RANK: 136

POSITION RANK: S12

PRO COMPARISON: Bryan Cook

Measurables and Testing Data

Joe Robbins/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Height: 6'2 ½"
Weight: 208
Hand Size: 8 ¼"
Arm Length: 30 ¾"
Wingspan: N/A

40-yard dash: 4.48
10-yard split: 1.62
Vertical: 37.5"
Broad: N/A
3 cone: N/A
Shuttle: N/A
Bench: N/A