ST. JOSEPH, Mo. -- The Kansas City Chiefs return Thursday to the training camp practice field at Missouri Western State University after a day off Wednesday. The Chiefs have had five camp practice sessions, two in full pads.

That's enough time for some players to have made an impression. Here are five who have helped themselves during the first phase of camp:

Quarterback Patrick Mahomes II: It no longer seems absurd that Mahomes could be the No. 2 quarterback behind starter Alex Smith when the regular season begins, as it did at the end of offseason practice. Mahomes' abilities showed only inconsistently during the offseason, but it's been a more common occurrence at training camp. The rookie led the Chiefs to a touchdown on a four-play, 75-yard drive during a two-minute drill and had another four-play sequence that featured some big-time throws. None of this, however, suggests Mahomes is ready to be the Chiefs' No. 2 quarterback. He's been guilty at times of trying to force the ball into coverage, and he's fortunate he hasn't yet had a pass intercepted during full-team or 7-on-7 drills in the three competitive practices the Chiefs have held. But the No. 10 overall pick in this year's draft appears to be gaining ground at a rapid pace.

Linebacker Kevin Pierre-Louis: Pierre-Louis seemed a long shot to make it to the regular season in a crowded field at his position when he was acquired in a trade with the Seattle Seahawks the day camp began. But the Chiefs have been so impressed with the fourth-year player that Pierre-Louis probably will not only make the team but perhaps even start at inside linebacker, teaming with Derrick Johnson. Pierre-Louis has displayed the instincts and athletic ability the Chiefs want to see from the starter. The preseason is crucial for a lot of Chiefs players, but maybe for no one as it is for Pierre-Louis. The other inside linebacker spot is the only one in the lineup, offense or defense, where Kansas City is truly searching for a starter. Pierre-Louis can claim it by playing well.

Running back Kareem Hunt: Hunt won't unseat Spencer Ware from the starting lineup, at least not when the season begins, but the third-round draft pick will get a lot of playing time. The Chiefs liked Hunt enough as a runner to trade up to draft him, but he's proved to be more advanced as a receiver at this point than the Chiefs expected. Hunt has shown not only the ability to beat coverage down the field but also to make the difficult catch. Two of the most spectacular grabs at camp have been delivered by Hunt. He made an over-the-shoulder reception of a deep fade pass and also made a one-handed catch deep down the sideline.

Wide receiver Tyreek Hill: Hill is on his way to dismissing any doubts about his ability to be a No. 1 wideout. He's been doing everything a No. 1 receiver is asked to do, getting open consistently and delivering frequent big plays. Hill isn't doing this against cornerbacks who won't make the team. He's doing it against starters, most notably Marcus Peters.

Wide receiver Seantavius Jones: The Chiefs have one of the most inexperienced groups of wide receivers in the NFL, so they were looking for one of their younger receivers to make a move up the depth chart. Jones might be the one, since he's getting some snaps with the starters in practice. At 6-foot-3 and 200 pounds, Jones is big enough to outmuscle cornerbacks, as he did with Peters in making a catch down the field in an early camp practice. He's also fast enough to be a deep threat.