3 Players Chiefs Could Draft in First Round of 2026 NFL Draft

The last time the Kansas City Chiefs drafted in the top 10, they selected Texas Tech alum quarterback Patrick Mahomes (in 2017). From then on, KC reached five Super Bowls and won three of them. Mahomes won two league MVPs and three Super Bowl MVPs. But the pick that the Chiefs used to select Mahomes was acquired via trade from the Buffalo Bills.

Four years earlier, in 2013, the Chiefs owned the first overall pick. They used it to tackle Eric Fisher. During his long NFL career, Fisher received two Pro Bowl nods and a Super Bowl winner’s medal.

2026 will be the first time since Fisher that the Chiefs will draft in the top 10. By finishing 6-11 last year, the Chiefs received the 9th overall draft pick and acquired the 29th overall draft pick as compensation in the Trent McDuffie trade.

Brandon Kelly of Arrowhead Wire believes that the Chiefs have a wide range of positions to address in this draft.

There might not be a team in the draft with more possibilities in the top 40 than the Kansas City Chiefs, with clear needs to upgrade at defensive end, wide receiver, offensive tackle, tight end, cornerback, or safety. The only positions that feel completely off the board for the Chiefs in the top 50 are quarterback, running back, and interior offensive line.

The logical move will be to draft McDuffie’s replacement. There are a few who fit the bill, like Mansoor Delane and Jermod McCoy. But then again, the Chiefs already boast Kristian Fulton, Kevin Knowles, and Nohl Williams. They also signed veterans Kaiir Elam and Kader Kohou in the offseason. So, it’s better to avoid picking a DB at 9.

Least likely Scenario: Kansas City Chiefs draft Arizona State WR Jordyn Tyson 9th overall

Tyson won’t be the first wide receiver taken in the draft. That honor will likely go to Ohio State’s Carnell Tate. However, Tyson is more versatile of the two. The Arizona State product is equally comfortable in all three positions, X and Y, and in the slot.

Tyson put up 136 catches, 1,812 receiving yards, and 18 touchdowns over the final two years with the Sundevils. He had a private workout on April 17 that at least 18 NFL team representatives went to. The Chiefs were among them.

KC has Rashee Rice, Xavier Worthy, Tyquan Thornton, and Jalen Royals, but adding another wide receiver would not be too bad an investment. There’s one small but very crucial issue that may cause Tyson to slide down the draft… injuries. His entire sophomore season was wiped out due to a torn ACL, MCL, and PCL.

The good news is that Tyson’s workout left a good impression on the folks. Draft expert Matt Miller tweeted:

Per a source at the Jordyn Tyson workout, the wide receiver prospect ran around “20-25” routes and had just one drop on a dig route. 20 NFL teams had reps at the workout for the likely top 16 pick.

Moderate Likely Scenario: Kansas City Chiefs draft Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love 9th overall

The Chiefs have been devoid of a world-class running back for a while. But they don’t have a history of taking a running back in the top 10—LSU’s Clyde Edwards-Helaire at 32 in 2020. He won two Super Bowls but never managed to tie down the starter’s job.

The Chiefs recently signed Super Bowl winner Kenneth Walker to a three-year contract. With Kareem Hunt‘s future in doubt, the only other rusher whom the Chiefs can turn to is Brashard Smith.

Jeremiyah Love is arguably the best running back in this year’s draft. Love rushed 199 times for 1372 yards and scored 18 touchdowns in his final year with the Fighting Irish.

NFL draft expert Daniel Jeremiah is all in for the Chiefs to take Love at 9 if he stays on the board for that long. Jeremiah said via Chiefs Wire:

If Jeremiyah Love is there, I think all bets are off. [Kenneth] Walker was him and [Zach] Charbonnet. That was a tag team, group there in Seattle.

With Patrick Mahomes coming off an ACL injury, drafting Love would be the perfect complement to Walker in the running game.

Likeliest Scenario: Kansas City Chiefs draft Miami edge Rueben Bain Jr. 9th overall

The Chiefs could use a playmaker like Rueben Bain Jr. in that defense. Their pass rush has struggled to produce sacks in recent years. Bain tallied 9.5 sacks during his final year at Miami, along with making 15.5 tackles for loss. Bain’s addition would be a no-brainer in Steve Spagnuolo’s defense.

Sure, his short arm length may be a cause for concern, but it’s not like players with a similar build haven’t been successful in the past. An AFC North scout told Matt Miller of ESPN:

Bain is a powerful edge with great leverage, a great motor, and he was unstoppable in the College Football Playoffs when you’re seeing the best versus the best.

Bain should slot in nicely beside Nick Bolton, Drue Tranquill, and Jack Cochrane.

Also Read:

• Nick Foles Claims AJ Brown Wants to Be Traded by Eagles
• Jacoby Brissett Absent from OTAs as Contract Talks Loom