The Kansas City Chiefs entered the 2026 offseason in a familiar position: still one of the NFL’s premier franchises but facing the difficult reality that sustained success forces constant roster turnover. Even championship-caliber teams must replenish talent, and this offseason presented several key questions for Kansas City.
The biggest changes came in the secondary. The Chiefs saw two important cornerbacks leave for the Los Angeles Rams. One departed via free agency while the other was moved in a trade, leaving a noticeable gap in the defensive backfield. While Kansas City has developed one of the NFL’s most disciplined defensive units under Steve Spagnuolo, losing experienced corners forces the team to reassess depth and long-term stability at the position.
Free agency helped address some needs, but it did not solve everything. Kansas City added veteran depth and rotational pieces across the roster, but several areas still required attention heading into the draft. The pass rush could use more consistent pressure off the edge opposite George Karlaftis. The defensive line still needed additional rotational players behind Chris Jones. The wide receiver room lost a major deep threat when Hollywood Brown departed, creating an opportunity to add another dynamic playmaker for Patrick Mahomes. Depth along the offensive line also remained a priority to ensure Mahomes continues to operate behind one of the league’s most reliable protections.
With those needs in mind, this mock draft focuses on strengthening the defense, restoring explosive speed to the offense, and building depth in critical areas.
Round 1 Pick 9
CB Mansoor Delane – LSU
Sometimes the draft board simply falls in your favor, and if Mansoor Delane were still available at this spot, the Chiefs would be wise to sprint to the podium.
Delane sliding to this point in the draft might not happen on draft night, but if it does, the value is simply too strong to ignore. Kansas City entered the offseason with questions at cornerback after losing two defensive backs to the Rams, and Delane offers the type of physical presence and coverage ability that fits perfectly within Steve Spagnuolo’s system.
Delane has the traits of a future CB1. His length, instincts, and ability to challenge receivers at the line of scrimmage make him an ideal replacement candidate for the departing talent. Kansas City has shown a consistent ability to develop defensive backs, and Delane could quickly become a cornerstone of the secondary.
Round 1 Pick 29
EDGE Zion Young – Missouri
Zion Young was one of the biggest standouts of the entire Senior Bowl week. His ability to win one-on-one reps consistently caught the attention of scouts, and he followed that performance with an impressive offseason.
Kansas City’s defensive front revolves around Chris Jones creating interior disruption and George Karlaftis generating pressure off the edge. Adding Young gives the Chiefs another athletic pass rusher who can complement that duo.
Young’s explosiveness off the snap and his motor make him an ideal rotational player early in his career, with the potential to develop into a full-time starter. Pairing him with Karlaftis gives Kansas City a young, energetic edge tandem that could create serious problems for opposing quarterbacks.
Round 2 Pick 40
WR KC Concepcion – Texas A&M
Sometimes the football gods simply align.
KC Concepcion to the Kansas City Chiefs feels almost too perfect. The name alone makes the pairing fun, but the football fit is what truly matters.
After losing Hollywood Brown, Kansas City needed another dynamic playmaker at wide receiver. Concepcion provides exactly that. He is electric with the ball in his hands and can be used all over the formation. Whether lining up outside, in the slot, or on designed touches, he brings the type of versatility Andy Reid thrives on in his offensive system.
With Xavier Worthy stretching the field vertically and Rashee Rice dominating the intermediate areas, Concepcion would add another weapon capable of creating explosive plays.
Round 3 Pick 74
DI Dominique Orange – Iowa State
Even after free agency, the Chiefs still needed depth along the defensive line.
Dominique Orange fills that role perfectly. The Iowa State defensive lineman is known for his strength at the point of attack and his ability to disrupt running lanes. While Chris Jones remains the centerpiece of Kansas City’s defensive interior, adding rotational depth ensures the defensive line remains fresh throughout the long NFL season.
Orange may not always show up in highlight reels, but players like him are critical to maintaining defensive balance.
Round 4 Pick 109
WR Brenen Thompson – Mississippi State
This pick introduces a terrifying thought for opposing defenses.
Imagine lining up against two burners on the outside.
Xavier Worthy and Brenen Thompson.
Thompson ran a blazing 4.26 forty-yard dash, making him one of the fastest wide receivers in the entire draft class. Adding that kind of speed alongside Worthy creates an offense that can stretch the field vertically in ways very few teams can match.
Defenses would be forced to respect the deep threat on every play, opening space underneath for Rashee Rice, KC Concepcion, and veteran targets like Thornton. Kansas City could have addressed the safety position here by selecting Bud Clark, but the opportunity to add another elite speed threat was simply too tempting to pass up.
Round 5 Pick 148
EDGE Max Llewellyn – Iowa
If there is one thing Kansas City understands, it is the importance of pressure.
Max Llewellyn adds even more help to the edge rushing group. His 4.81 forty-yard dash and strong testing numbers demonstrate the athletic upside teams look for in rotational pass rushers.
While Young provides one new weapon on the edge, Llewellyn ensures the Chiefs maintain depth and flexibility along the defensive front. In today’s NFL, teams can never have too many pass rushers.
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Round 5 Pick 169
S Jalen Stroman – Notre Dame
The secondary saw significant turnover this offseason, and depth became a clear priority.
Jalen Stroman brings versatility to the defensive backfield. The Notre Dame safety has the range and instincts to contribute in both coverage and run support. Kansas City’s defensive scheme relies heavily on safeties who can rotate and disguise coverage looks, and Stroman’s football intelligence makes him an intriguing developmental piece.
He may begin his career in a rotational role and on special teams, but he has the potential to grow into a reliable contributor.
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Round 5 Pick 176
OT Aamil Wagner – Notre Dame
Protecting Patrick Mahomes is always priority number one.
Aamil Wagner quietly put together an excellent season at Notre Dame, allowing only one sack throughout the year. That level of consistency speaks volumes about his technique and discipline in pass protection.
While Kansas City’s starting offensive line remains strong, depth is essential in a league where injuries are inevitable. Wagner provides a developmental tackle who could grow into a valuable swing lineman while giving the Chiefs insurance at a critical position.
Round 6 Pick 210
TE Dae’Quan Wright – Ole Miss
Every successful Andy Reid offense thrives on tight ends who can stretch the field.
Dae’Quan Wright may not be the top tight end in the class, but he offers intriguing upside late in the draft. In many ways, he resembles a developmental version of Baylor tight end Michael Trigg, a player who has generated plenty of excitement among scouts.
If Kansas City chooses not to invest in a tight end earlier in the draft, Wright could be a fascinating late-round project. His athleticism and receiving ability give him the potential to develop into a future contributor in Reid’s offense.
Final Thoughts
This draft focuses on strengthening the defense while restoring the explosive speed that has defined Kansas City’s offense for years.
The Chiefs address several key priorities:
- Replacing departing cornerbacks
- Adding pass rush depth
- Rebuilding wide receiver explosiveness
- Strengthening the defensive line
- Providing offensive line insurance
- Adding developmental talent in the secondary and tight end room
Most importantly, the draft continues a strategy Kansas City has used throughout its championship run: surrounding Patrick Mahomes with speed while building a defense capable of closing games.
If the board were to fall this way on draft night, the Chiefs would walk away with a roster that remains one of the most dangerous in the NFL.
And perhaps most terrifying for opposing defenses, they would now have two of the fastest receivers in football lining up on the outside.
That is the kind of nightmare only Kansas City could create.
