​The NFL Top 100 Players list is a longstanding offseason tradition in the league, highlighting the top talents as voted on by the players themselves. This year’s compendium features several names from the Kansas City Chiefs, but it also shines a spotlight on numerous opponents who are set to challenge the defending champions. Among the players ranked, No. 95 is a name the Chiefs are slated to face in the coming season, adding a notable matchup to the 2026 schedule.
At No. 95 on the list sits Demario Davis, the veteran linebacker formerly with the New Orleans Saints. Davis arguably enters the season riding momentum from a complete 17-game campaign in 2025, where he contributed across multiple facets of the defense. His stat line from that year includes three pass deflections, two forced fumbles, one fumble recovery, half a sack, and a career-high 143 total tackles. Davis’ performance underscored his durability and playmaking ability, attributes that have kept him in the conversation as one of the league’s top linebackers.
In a strategic move during the offseason, Davis signed with the New York Jets, agreeing to a two-year contract worth $22 million, with $15 million guaranteed and a $7.5 million signing bonus. This deal marked a return to the Jets for Davis, who brings veteran leadership and a high level of instinctive play to a defense that is looking to elevate its performance in the upcoming seasons.
The Jets’ 2026 schedule adds a compelling chapter to Davis’ NFL narrative, as they are set to visit the Chiefs in Week 9, on Sunday, November 8, at Arrowhead Stadium. That matchup will pit Davis and the Jets’ front seven against a Chiefs offense known for its explosive versatility, while also putting a spotlight on a player who has earned his place among the league’s elite through consistent production and reliable leadership.
NFL Films and the X Original Series team up to produce the latest season of NFL Top 100, a format comprised of short-form episodes that reveal the league’s top players as determined by the players themselves. The show’s digital rollout began with daily segments on X (formerly Twitter), continuing on weekdays through the early part of September, and then transitioning to broader availability on NFL+ and other NFL-owned platforms and social channels. The structure of the series allows fans to gain insight into why these players are held in such high regard by their peers, offering a candid look at the traits that set them apart.
This piece originally appeared on Chiefs Wire, providing context for Chiefs fans about the players they will encounter in the 2026 season and highlighting the significance of No. 95 in the NFL Top 100. The ranking not only reflects Davis’ individual accomplishments but also signals the caliber of competition the Chiefs will face as they navigate a demanding schedule in pursuit of another deep postseason run.