🏈 Chiefs NFL Draft Predictions 2026: Mock Draft Picks, Best Prospect Fits, Team Needs & More
After missing the playoffs for the first time since 2014 and losing Patrick Mahomes to a torn ACL, the Kansas City Chiefs hold the No. 9 and No. 29 picks and are looking to rebuild a secondary that was gutted this offseason while surrounding their franchise quarterback with a stronger supporting cast for his return.
As part of our NFL draft predictions for every team, we break down the Chiefs' full draft picks, biggest team needs, ideal prospect fits, mock draft projections, and our prediction for which player Kansas City will draft in the first round, which begins Thursday at 8 p.m. ET live on ABC, ESPN, and NFL Network.
📊 Chiefs draft picks 2026
See where the Chiefs rank by the latest Super Bowl odds for every team.
| Round | Pick(s) |
|---|---|
| 1 | No. 9, 29 (via LAR) |
| 2 | No. 40 |
| 3 | No. 74 |
| 4 | No. 109 |
| 5 | No. 148, 169, 176 |
| 6 | No. 191, 210 |
| 7 | No pick |
🆘 Chiefs team needs entering draft
We break down every team's projected NFL win totals with our best Over/Under picks by division.
- Team needs: CB, WR, OL, EDGE, DL
- Key additions: Justin Fields (QB, via trade), Alohi Gilman (S), Kaiir Elam (CB), Khyiris Tonga (DL)
- Key departures: Trent McDuffie (CB, Rams via trade), Jaylen Watson (CB, Rams), Isiah Pacheco (RB, Lions), Marquise Brown (WR, Eagles), Bryan Cook (S, Bengals)
The secondary exodus continues in Kansas City after the team traded star corner two years ago. Losing McDuffie via trade and Watson in free agency strips the cornerback room down to spare parts, and losing Cook at safety only makes things worse. The Chiefs could use another legitimate pass-catching threat beyond Rashee Rice, Fields, and an aging Travis Kelce.
🏈 Chiefs draft prospect fits
I asked NFL draft expert Rob Paul to pick the Chiefs' best prospect fits in a dream scenario, their safest picks, and their best upside picks for Thursday:
| Pick type | No. 9 pick | No. 29 pick | Paul's take |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🌟 Dream pick | Rueben Bain Jr., DL, Miami (7.35) | Chris Johnson, CB, San Diego State (7.15) | If Bain were to land in Kansas City, it would be a terrifying sight having him lined up alongside Chris Jones, while Johnson would give Steve Spagnuolo a pro-ready cornerback with some of the best technique in the class |
| 🛡️ Safe pick | Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU (7.30) | Zion Young, EDGE, Missouri (7.0) | Delane is one of the highest floor players in the class and would have All-Pro upside under Dave Merritt, and Young fits the profile of what the Chiefs like in their pass rushers, with a high motor and powerful pop |
| 🚀 Upside pick | Spencer Fano, OL, Utah (7.20) | Avieon Terrell, CB, Clemson (7.05) | If Kansas City wants to fill some of its questions on the O-line, Fano and his ridiculous movement skills offer the ability to play right tackle or left guard, and Terrell is a stylistic replacement for Trent McDuffie, with his feistiness and inside-outside ability |
More scouting reports & player profiles
➡️ Arvell Reese draft profile: Scouting report, team prediction & draft odds
➡️ Jeremiyah Love draft profile: Scouting report, team prediction & draft odds
➡️ Carnell Tate draft profile: Scouting report, team prediction & draft odds
➡️ Jordyn Tyson draft profile: Scouting report, team prediction & draft odds
📝 Chiefs mock draft consensus picks
I went through the latest mock drafts from other top experts across the industry and gathered their predictions for the Chiefs' first pick in the 2026 NFL draft. Here's who they expect Kansas City to draft at No. 9:
| Source | Pick |
|---|---|
| Mel Kiper (ESPN) | Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State |
| Chad Reuter (NFL.com) | Rueben Bain Jr., EDGE, Miami |
| Mike Renner (CBS) | Rueben Bain Jr., EDGE, Miami |
| Todd McShay (The Ringer) | Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State |
| Dane Brugler (The Athletic) | Rueben Bain Jr., EDGE, Miami |
| Charles McDonald (Yahoo) | Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State |
Miami pass-rusher Rueben Bain Jr. is the most popular pick for the Chiefs at No. 9, showing up in three of the six mocks we surveyed. Two others have Kansas City going with Arizona State receiver Jordyn Tyson to give Mahomes another weapon for his return, while Yahoo's Nate Tice has Ohio State safety Caleb Downs falling into the Chiefs' lap. Paul agrees with the Bain fit but has Kansas City focused on protecting Mahomes at No. 9 in his latest mock draft.
🔮 Chiefs draft predictions 2026
See Rob Paul's expert NFL mock draft for projections and analysis of all 32 first-round picks.
Paul's pick at No. 9: Spencer Fano, OL, Utah
- Pro comparison: Alijah Vera-Tucker
- Measurables: 6’5" | 311 lbs | 21 years old | RAS: 9.80
The Kansas City Chiefs have several holes to fill, but GM Brett Veach may be focused on the one that keeps Patrick Mahomes healthy going forward. With his ridiculous movement skills, Spencer Fano can compete to start at right tackle or move inside to guard, where his lack of length will be less of a concern. Regardless of where he plays up front, Fano can immediately boost the Chiefs' run game with his ability to get to the second level, and his footwork will make him a plus in pass protection.
Paul's pick at No. 29: Avieon Terrell, CB, Clemson
- Pro comparison: Cortland Finnegan
- Measurables: 5'11" | 186 lbs | 21 years old | RAS: 4.94
After trading Trent McDuffie to the Rams and losing Jaylen Watson to them in free agency, Veach and Andy Reid need to add to their secondary if they're going to keep up in the AFC. A perfect McDuffie replacement is Avieon Terrell. The brother of AJ Terrell can be a weapon with his feisty play demeanor, short-area quickness, and cover instincts. Like McDuffie, Terrell can play outside or at nickel and create havoc with the way he attacks - he forced eight fumbles the last two seasons.
🏈 NFL draft predictions by team
See the live NFL draft odds for the top picks from the best NFL betting sites.
Ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft, I broke down every team's full draft capital, their biggest needs and ideal prospect fits, the latest mock draft consensus from industry experts, and our draft prediction for their first pick this week:
AFC East: Bills | Dolphins | Jets | Patriots
AFC North: Bengals | Browns | Ravens | Steelers
AFC South: Colts | Jaguars | Texans | Titans
AFC West: Broncos | Chargers | Chiefs | Raiders
NFC East: Commanders | Cowboys | Eagles | Giants
NFC North: Bears | Lions | Packers | Vikings
NFC South: Buccaneers | Falcons | Panthers | Saints
NFC West: 49ers | Cardinals | Rams | Seahawks
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