It’s an offseason of change in Kansas City.
After their division-winning streak came to an end in 2025, the Chiefs are loading up for another go at the Super Bowl in 2026. Major moves on offense and defense will see a much different Kansas City roster.
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The Chiefs signed reigning Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker III to give them more explosiveness at the running back position. With Patrick Mahomes sidelined while recovering from a torn ACL, the team traded for former first-round pick Justin Fields as another depth piece at quarterback.
On defense, starting cornerbacks Jaylen Watson and Trent McDuffie are both now with the Los Angeles Rams via free agency and trade, respectively. The McDuffie trade netted Kansas City another first-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. Up front, defensive lineman Khyiris Tonga comes to the Chiefs from the defending AFC champion Patriots.
It’s not all new faces as franchise icon Travis Kelce signed a one-year deal to return to Kansas City for 2026.
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As the dust settles on the major moves of free agency, the team can look ahead to building out its roster in the 2026 NFL draft. Armed with multiple first-round picks, the Chiefs can make key picks to improve the future of the roster. Here’s how the Chiefs’ draft could look come April:
Round 1, No. 9 overall: Edge Rueben Bain Jr., Miami (FL)
Bain may slip slightly in the top 10 due to arm length concerns but the Chiefs would be happy to get his power and production off the edge. Kansas City struggled to get home with sacks in 2025 and getting one of the most productive edge rushers in college football is an easy boost to the defensive front.
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More: Rueben Bain Jr. compares himself to Mike Tyson during Miami Pro Day
Round 1, No. 29 overall: CB Chris Johnson, San Diego State
McDuffie and Watson are gone and the Chiefs could always use more talent to develop at the position. Johnson is a great value here as a scheme-versatile outside cornerback with size and speed. He would contend with Kristian Fulton and Nohl Williams for a starting role as a rookie and a building block for the future.
Round 2, No. 40 overall: TE Eli Stowers, Vanderbilt
Kelce is back in Kansas City but the Chiefs have to be thinking about their future at the position. Stowers is one of the most explosive players in the 2026 class and put on a show at the NFL combine with his dynamic athleticism. He’s a bit undersized at 235 pounds but could be a vertical threat from the position the Chiefs haven’t had since Kelce’s athletic prime. In time, he could grow into a tight end of the future for Mahomes.
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Round 3, No. 74 overall: Edge Gabe Jacas, Illinois
One premium pick alone won’t help the Chiefs’ pass rush woes from 2025. Jacas is a big-bodied edge at 6-foot-4 and 260 pounds who totaled 85 pressures and 20 sacks in his last two seasons at Illinois. There are some questions about his run defense but his high motor will earn him plenty of coverage sacks when possible.
Round 4, No. 109 overall: WR Ted Hurst, Georgia State
Hurst is one of the best small-school standouts in the class with size (6-foot-4, 206 pounds) and speed (4.42 40-yard dash) at outside receiver. The Chiefs haven’t had a threat like him on the outside in years. He’s shown the ability to shake press coverage well but may need time to get up to speed at the NFL level.
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Round 5, No. 148 overall: LB Jimmy Rolder, Michigan
Leo Chenal is now in Washington, and the Chiefs would be well-served by finding at least a depth piece to make up for his departure. Rolder is inexperienced with just 11 career college starts, but he’s shown a lot to like, especially in run defense. He’s more of a specialist in that for now, without the coverage chops as a rookie.
Round 5, No. 169 overall: OT Keagan Trost, Missouri
Kansas City dealt with injuries on the offensive line, and bringing in an experienced swing tackle would help safeguard against that in the future. Trost played both right and left tackle at Missouri, most recently right. His length will make him a good fit for most any scheme. He’s unlikely to contend for a starting role but he’d be a swing tackle
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Round 5, No. 176 overall: S VJ Payne, Kansas State
Payne can do a little bit of everything at 6-foot-3 and 206 pounds. He played in the box, slot and free safety in 2025 alone. He’s athletic enough to handle lots of assignments in coverage and Steve Spagnuolo could get creative deploying him throughout the defense. His run defense will need work.
Round 6, No. 210 overall: RB Kaelon Black, Indiana
Walker III is a dynamic outside threat at running back and 2025 draft pick Brashard Smith is a receiving specialist. Black could be a good fit alongside those two. The national champion offers great early-down usage with a low center of gravity and churns out yards after contact. He has great short-yardage value and is a willing pass blocker. His lack of receiving chops can be balanced out by Walker and Smith.
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NFL mock draft: Free agency, trades change first-round projection
1. Las Vegas Raiders – Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana
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NFL mock draft: Free agency, trades change first-round projection
1. Las Vegas Raiders – Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana
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NFL mock draft: Top-10 surprises in latest first-round projection
2. New York Jets – Arvell Reese, LB/DE, Ohio State
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NFL mock draft: Top-10 surprises in latest first-round projection
3. Arizona Cardinals – David Bailey, OLB/DE, Texas Tech
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NFL mock draft: Top-10 surprises in latest first-round projection
4. Tennessee Titans – Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame
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NFL mock draft: Top-10 surprises in latest first-round projection
5. New York Giants – Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State
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NFL mock draft: Top-10 surprises in latest first-round projection
6. Cleveland Browns – Monroe Freeling, OT, Georgia
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NFL mock draft: Top-10 surprises in latest first-round projection
7. Washington Commanders – Rueben Bain Jr., DE, Miami (Fla.)
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NFL mock draft: Top-10 surprises in latest first-round projection
8. New Orleans Saints – Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State
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NFL mock draft: Top-10 surprises in latest first-round projection
9. Kansas City Chiefs – Makai Lemon, WR, USC
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NFL mock draft: Top-10 surprises in latest first-round projection
10. Cincinnati Bengals – Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State
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NFL mock draft: Top-10 surprises in latest first-round projection
11. Miami Dolphins – Francis Mauigoa, OT/G, Miami (Fla.)
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NFL mock draft: Top-10 surprises in latest first-round projection
12. Dallas Cowboys – Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU
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NFL mock draft: Top-10 surprises in latest first-round projection
13. Los Angeles Rams (from Atlanta Falcons) – Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon
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NFL mock draft: Top-10 surprises in latest first-round projection
14. Las Vegas Raiders (from Baltimore Ravens) – Olaivavega Ioane, G, Penn State
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NFL mock draft: Top-10 surprises in latest first-round projection
15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Keldric Faulk, DE, Auburn
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NFL mock draft: Top-10 surprises in latest first-round projection
16. New York Jets (from Indianapolis Colts) – Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State
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NFL mock draft: Top-10 surprises in latest first-round projection
17. Detroit Lions – Spencer Fano, OT/G, Utah
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NFL mock draft: Top-10 surprises in latest first-round projection
18. Minnesota Vikings – S Dillon Thieneman, Oregon
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NFL mock draft: Top-10 surprises in latest first-round projection
19. Carolina Panthers – Kadyn Proctor, OT/G, Alabama
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NFL mock draft: Top-10 surprises in latest first-round projection
20. Dallas Cowboys (from Green Bay Packers) – Akheem Mesidor, DE, Miami (Fla.)
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NFL mock draft: Top-10 surprises in latest first-round projection
21. Pittsburgh Steelers – Omar Cooper Jr., WR, Indiana
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NFL mock draft: Free agency, trades change first-round projection
22. Los Angeles Chargers – Caleb Banks, DT, Florida
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NFL mock draft: Top-10 surprises in latest first-round projection
23. Philadelphia Eagles – Avieon Terrell, CB, Clemson
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NFL mock draft: Top-10 surprises in latest first-round projection
24. Cleveland Browns (from Jacksonville Jaguars) – Denzel Boston, WR, Washington
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NFL mock draft: Free agency, trades change first-round projection
25. Chicago Bears – Peter Woods, DT, Clemson
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NFL mock draft: Top-10 surprises in latest first-round projection
26. Buffalo Bills – T.J. Parker, DE/OLB, Clemson
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NFL mock draft: Top-10 surprises in latest first-round projection
27. San Francisco 49ers – Caleb Lomu, OT, Utah
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NFL mock draft: Free agency, trades change first-round projection
28. Houston Texans – Max Iheanachor, OT, Arizona State
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NFL mock draft: Top-10 surprises in latest first-round projection
29. Kansas City Chiefs (from Rams) – Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee
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NFL mock draft: Free agency, trades change first-round projection
32. Denver Broncos – KC Concepcion, WR, Texas A&M
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NFL mock draft: Top-10 surprises in latest first-round projection
31. New England Patriots – Cashius Howell, OLB, Texas A&M
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NFL mock draft: Top-10 surprises in latest first-round projection
32. Seattle Seahawks – Colton Hood, CB, Tennessee
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Chiefs 2026 NFL mock draft: Kansas City builds up defense, lands TE
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