The 2026 NFL Draft is approaching quicker and quicker. In just a few short weeks, we will know the newest rookies entering Chiefs Kingdom. This year’s selections are the most vital the Kansas City Chiefs have had in a few years, and it comes with a top-10 choice in hand.
With draft month officially here, it is time to try our hand at a Chiefs mock draft. Did the board fall as we had hoped for the ninth overall pick? Plus, former trends were factored in to account for how Kansas City may address certain positions on the roster.
Let’s get to the mock draft haul which was completed using Pro Football Focus’ mock draft simulator.
The Chiefs could see a doomsday scenario fall their way at pick nine. In the end, Kansas City still had all wide receivers available to choose from. That is where we went with the first selection of the entire haul.
Carnell Tate gives Kansas City a bigger body at the position that they have truly lacked in recent years with Patrick Mahomes. Tate would give the Chiefs a refined option as a route runner with an easy ability to separate at that added size. Coming out of Ohio State, Tate offers ball-tracking ability and control at the catch point that not all others possess in this wide receiver class.
Zion Young just feels like a Steve Spagnuolo prototype at defensive end. He was known for setting a firm edge as a run defender entering the 2025 season. But in his last year with Missouri, Young began to develop more nuance as a pass rusher.
The Tigers saw him tally 6.5 sacks and 16.5 tackles for loss this past season. Young offers the Chiefs a mix of strength at the point of attack, the size Spagnuolo covets, and energy that would boost the group alongside George Karlaftis and Ashton Gillotte.
This feels a bit lucky to still have Christen Miller available at pick 40. There are going to be a handful of defensive tackles likely to go in the range from Kansas City’s picks at 29 through 40. You have guys that are pure run stuffers. Miller can certainly defend the run. But of all the early defensive tackle options, his juice to flash in the pass rush game is nearly unmatched.
Chris Jones can only lead the defensive tackle room as a pass rusher for so long. Set to turn 32 years old this summer, Jones would benefit greatly from the Chiefs adding a defensive tackle with power and quickness.
Trade: Chiefs receive picks 83, 158, 200; Panthers receive pick 74
With Carolina looking to trade up, we slid back nine spots in the third round and added two additional picks for later on. Linebacker Anthony Hill Jr. was the selection in the third round. Hill Jr. appears to fit the mold of what Kansas City has chased at the position.
He is best when working downhill and thumping against the run. Hill Jr. was consistently graded as a player who rarely, if ever, misses tackles. You may not get a lot of coverage upside with him. Though some chances to incorporate Hill Jr. as a blitzer still remain.
4th Round (109th overall)- Brenen Thompson, WR, Mississippi State
Doubling up at wide receiver should not be counted out for the Chiefs. Kansas City has to formalize a more trustworthy wide receiver group around Mahomes. Similar to the Miller pick at 40, this seems like solid value to land Brenen Thompson early on day three of the draft.
Thompson was viewed as one of the fastest wide receivers in the class. He fortified that at the NFL Scouting Combine. If not for quarterback woes at Mississippi State, Thompson could have topped 1,500 receiving yards in 2025. The Chiefs would love his ability to add yards after the catch and instincts in short-to-intermediate throws.
5th Round (148th overall)- Austin Barber, OT, Florida
Kansas City gets its depth offensive lineman here in round five. Austin Barber measured in at 6-foot-7, 318 pounds. The Chiefs could also hold some interest because of his plus arm length (33 1/8 inches). You may not be blown away by how an offensive lineman tests at the Scouting Combine. But with his results, foot speed, and explosion, Kansas City could do worse finding a swing tackle.
5th Round (158th overall)- Ephesians Prysock, CB, Washington
We followed Kansas City’s past trends of waiting to address the secondary. Ephesians Prysock is a long, taller cornerback option in the draft. The Washington product is still developing his technique in man coverage. Though he did not shy away from getting to the tough areas in run support. Prysock may be an intriguing piece to pair with Spagnuolo when looking at his potential versatility, length, and explosive testing numbers.
5th Round (169th overall)- Caden Curry, EDGE, Ohio State
Another defender with versatility potential. Caden Curry is not as heavy or long as Young among the edge rush group. However, he was quite productive in a year in which he saw more playing time for the Buckeyes. With a power skill set, Curry’s refinement would be necessary in seeing that 2025 production translates at the NFL level. Kansas City has gone after pass rushers who hold a similar motor and relentlessness.
5th Round (176th overall)- Cole Wisniewski, SAF, Texas Tech
After beginning his college career with North Dakota State, Cole Wisniewski transferred up a level to Texas Tech last season. Like some of the other defenders in this mock draft haul, Wisniewski boosts Kansas City in size and length on the defensive side. He still moves effortlessly to the football, too.
His range and nose for the ball showed up time and time again for the Red Raiders’ defense. That led to Wisniewski finishing with one of the best yards allowed per play figures in 2025. According to Cam Mellor, he was sixth best among safeties in that regard. Most of all, he is a punisher as a tackler, giving Kansas City a fair replacement for what they lost when Bryan Cook departed.
6th Round (200th overall)- Jadon Canady, CB, Oregon
Jadon Canady is the final of our three defensive back selections. Finishing his career at Oregon, Pro Football Focus loved his performance in man coverage. All things considered, his results in catches and yards allowed were impressive as a day three option. In what he showed in technique, the Chiefs round out their cornerback room with a player who offers role flexibility.
6th Round (210th overall)- Riley Nowakowski, TE, Indiana
Finishing off this mock draft, the Chiefs land a piece of the National Championship team from Indiana. Riley Nowakowski is known primarily for his blocking prowess. That is an area that needs lifting in Kansas City at the tight end spot moving forward, both now and long term. As a receiver, Nowakowski can be a possible outlet in the screen game from time to time or toward the perimeter as a checkdown option.
