It's an offseason of change in Kansas City.
After their division-winning streak came to an end in 2025, theChiefsare 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.
The Chiefssigned reigning Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker IIIto give them more explosiveness at the running back position. WithPatrick Mahomessidelined while recovering from atorn ACL, the teamtraded for former first-round pick Justin Fieldsas another depth piece at quarterback.
On defense, starting cornerbacksJaylen WatsonandTrent McDuffieare both now with theLos Angeles Ramsvia free agency and trade, respectively.The McDuffie tradenetted Kansas City another first-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. Up front, defensive linemanKhyiris Tongacomes to the Chiefs from the defending AFC champion Patriots.
It's not all new faces as franchise iconTravis Kelce signed a one-year deal to return to Kansas Cityfor 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:
Kansas City Chiefsmock draft
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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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 withKristian FultonandNohl Williamsfor 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.
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.
Round 5, No. 148 overall: LB Jimmy Rolder, Michigan
Leo Chenalis now in Washington, and the Chiefswould 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
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 pickBrashard Smithis 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.
3. Arizona Cardinals – David Bailey, OLB/DE, Texas Tech" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
4. Tennessee Titans – Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
5. New York Giants – Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
6. Cleveland Browns – Monroe Freeling, OT, Georgia" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
7. Washington Commanders – Rueben Bain Jr., DE, Miami (Fla.)" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
8. New Orleans Saints – Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
10. Cincinnati Bengals – Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
11. Miami Dolphins – Francis Mauigoa, OT/G, Miami (Fla.)" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
12. Dallas Cowboys – Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
13. Los Angeles Rams (from Atlanta Falcons) – Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
14. Las Vegas Raiders (from Baltimore Ravens) – Olaivavega Ioane, G, Penn State" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Keldric Faulk, DE, Auburn" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
16. New York Jets (from Indianapolis Colts) – Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
17. Detroit Lions – Spencer Fano, OT/G, Utah" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
19. Carolina Panthers – Kadyn Proctor, OT/G, Alabama" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
20. Dallas Cowboys (from Green Bay Packers) – Akheem Mesidor, DE, Miami (Fla.)" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
22. Los Angeles Chargers – Caleb Banks, DT, Florida" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
23. Philadelphia Eagles – Avieon Terrell, CB, Clemson" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
24. Cleveland Browns (from Jacksonville Jaguars) – Denzel Boston, WR, Washington" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
25. Chicago Bears – Peter Woods, DT, Clemson" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
26. Buffalo Bills – T.J. Parker, DE/OLB, Clemson" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
28. Houston Texans – Max Iheanachor, OT, Arizona State" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
29. Kansas City Chiefs (from Rams) – Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
31. New England Patriots – Cashius Howell, OLB, Texas A&M" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
32. Seattle Seahawks – Colton Hood, CB, Tennessee" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> NFL mock draft: Free agency, trades change first-round projection
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Chiefs 2026 NFL mock draft: Kansas City builds up defense, lands TE
