🏈 Chiefs NFL Draft Predictions 2026: Expert Mock Draft Picks, Team Needs, Best Fits & 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 tonight 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 tonight:
| 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 |
NFL draft prospect profiles
➡️ Arvell Reese draft profile: Scouting report, team prediction & draft odds
➡️ David Bailey draft profile: Scouting report, team prediction & draft odds
➡️ Rueben Bain Jr. draft profile: Scouting report, team prediction & draft odds
➡️ Sonny Styles 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
➡️ Makai Lemon draft profile: Scouting report, team prediction & draft odds
📝 Chiefs mock draft consensus picks
I went through the final mock drafts from 10 top experts across the industry and gathered their NFL mock draft consensus picks for the Kansas City Chiefs' first pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. Here's who they expect Kansas to draft:
| Expert | Pick |
|---|---|
| Mel Kiper (ESPN) | Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State (No. 9) |
| Peter Schrager (ESPN) | Rueben Bain Jr., EDGE, Miami (No. 12) |
| Daniel Jeremiah (NFL.com) | Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU (No. 9) |
| Lance Zierlein (NFL.com) | Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU (No. 9) |
| Todd McShay (The Ringer) | Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State (No. 9) |
| Dane Brugler (The Athletic) | Rueben Bain Jr., EDGE, Miami (No. 9) |
| Mike Renner (CBS Sports) | Spencer Fano, OT, Utah (No. 9) |
| Tice & McDonald (Yahoo) | Arvell Reese, EDGE/LB, Ohio State (No. 3) |
| Albert Breer (Sports Illustrated) | Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State (No. 9) |
| Rob Paul (Sportsbook Review) | Rueben Bain Jr., DL, Miami (No. 9) |
🎯 Chiefs first position drafted
Prediction market via Kalshi. You can use our Kalshi promo code for a $10 bonus by signing up today. Market subject to change.
Kansas City lost Trent McDuffie and Jaylen Watson from the secondary this offseason, making cornerback a pressing need, but the Chiefs also need a receiver to help Patrick Mahomes when he returns from his torn ACL. With two first-round picks, they could address both, though the market is expecting a defensive lineman before either position.
I broke down the latest NFL draft position odds for all 32 teams ahead of the first round.
🔮 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: Rueben Bain Jr., DL, Miami
- Pro comparison: Brandon Graham
- Measurables: 6'2" | 263 lbs | 21 years old | RAS: N/A
If Rueben Bain Jr. slips down the board due to his 1st percentile arm length (30 7/8"), the Kansas City Chiefs are a good bet to jump at taking the Hurricanes' star. Bain is a violent player who led the nation in pressures (83) and was unblockable in the College Football Playoff with his power and weaponized hands. Steve Spagnuolo loves power rushers, and KC isn't as tied to arm length thresholds as other teams ... GM Brett Veach selected George Karlaftis in Round 1 with 16th percentile arms (32 5/8").
Paul's pick at No. 29: Chris Johnson, CB, San Diego State
- Pro comparison: Jaire Alexander
- Measurables: 6'0" | 193 lbs | 21 years old | RAS: 9.84
As Andy Reid prepares to start the season without Patrick Mahomes, the Chiefs will need to rely more heavily on their defense to keep them in games until their star QB is back. After taking Bain at No. 9, Veach needs to come back and select a cornerback, and who better than one of the most pro-ready defenders in the class? Chris Johnson is a coverage savant with elite eyes in zone and crisp footwork in man coverage. He would compete to start opposite Nohl Williams as a rookie.
🏈 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
📃 Affiliate disclosure
Sportsbook Review may receive a commission if you sign up through our links. Not intended for use in MA. Bonuses not applicable in Ontario. 21+ only. (Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER)
Related Articles
