Bud Clark may push Chiefs to abandon familiar draft strategy

After several draft classes, Kansas City Chiefs general manager Brett Veach has developed a few identifiable tendencies. Perhaps one of the most prominent is a focus on youth, especially early in the draft. The Chiefs are much more likely to spend their Day 1 and Day 2 picks on players who are ages 20 to 22.

The focus on youth has several advantages, the first being player development. Simply put, a good player at age 20 has much more room to physically grow and develop into more than they are now, whereas a 24- or 25-year-old is much closer to their physical peak. Another advantage is a player's second contract window. Ideally, players you draft early, you'd like to have on a second contract or have another team willing to trade for and pay them. Paying a player at 28 or 29 is much different than paying a player at age 25.

Miami defensive end Akheem Mesidor will be an interesting prospect to watch for age because he will be a 25-year-old rookie. Felix Anudike-Uzomah is younger than him, and he's likely entering the final year of his rookie deal. Trent McDuffie just got paid, and he's the same age as Mesidor. The age factor is real for the Chiefs, but how much will that matter late on Day 2 or on Day 3?

To keep close tabs on the 2026 NFL Draft and the top prospects for the Kansas City Chiefs, make sure to bookmark our Arrowhead Addict Big Board. Our custom big board is tailored toward the Chiefs’ needs and thresholds.

NFL Draft Profile: Bud Clark, Safety, TCU

1. Bud Clark's background
2. Bud Clark's strengths
3. Bud Clark's weaknesses
4. Why the Chiefs should like Bud Clark

Bud Clark's background

Age: 25 (on draft day)

Height: 6-1

Weight: 188 lbs.

Hand: 9 inches

Arms: 31.5 inches

Tape Exposure: SMU (2025, USC (2025), Iowa State (2025)

Bud Clark attended Alexandria High School in Alexandria, Louisiana, where, in addition to football, he was also a standout baseball player. Rated as a 4-star prospect via 247Sports, he committed to TCU out of high school. Clark played sparingly as a true freshman and then received a medical redshirt as a sophomore. In his third season, he became a regular starter and finished out his eligibility with the Horned Frogs. Clark completed his college career with 214 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, 15 interceptions (two returned for TDs), and 21 passes defended.

Bud Clark's strengths

Intangibles

Voted team captain three times, described as the leader of the defense. Played in TCU's bowl game despite entering the NFL Draft. Has a litany of experience and a high floor as a special teams player. Displays a high level of football IQ with route recognition. Shows relentless pursuit to the football.

Ball Skills

His baseball background shows with his hands and ball tracking. Clark is at his best chasing the ball through the air. Natural hands catcher for a defensive back as well.

Versatility

Was asked to do quite a bit as a defender. Played all over the defense, including in the box, out of the slot, and deep. His best tape is as a deep safety, but he can do a little bit of everything.

Bud Clark's weaknesses

Age/Injury

Clark will be 25 his rookie season and has also missed parts of three seasons due to injury. These two factors combined could be a red flag for some teams.

Tackling

Clark isn't a bad tackler; he's just not what you want from a safety. He's more of a wrap-and-push tackler than a punisher over the middle of the field. His lighter frame at 6-1 doesn't help him lay the wood like you'd want.

Risk Taking

Willing to gamble at times to make plays on the ball. Very smart player and is probably right more than he's wrong, but that can still come back to bite him. Willing to jump and undercut routes in hopes of making a play on the ball.

Why the Chiefs should like Bud Clark

With the obvious caveat of being in the right draft range, Bud Clark is a really savvy player with a high floor. His ball skills, trigger downhill as a run defender, and flexibility make him a great addition to any defense. His skill set is actually quite similar to new Chief Alohi Gilman, though the ball production is better. Giving the Chiefs three safeties they can do all sorts of things with (Gilman, Clark, and Conner) could be a fun wrinkle for Steve Spagnuolo.

Clark is at his best as a deep safety, which makes him a nice fit for the Chiefs' defense, as they have more of a need there with Conner and Hicks both being better in the box. Ideally, the Chiefs will need more than three safeties on the roster to facilitate the defense and special teams. Clark has lots of reasons to be a nice fit on Day 3.

Clark is a ballhawk with standout production (15 INTs in four seasons) who thrives as a free-flowing deep defender/robber, flashing quick trigger, strong closing burst, and WR-like hands to jump routes and create turnovers. He offers versatility as a big nickel with TE match ability, brings leadership as a three-time captain, and contributes on special teams while showing willingness versus the run. The aggression can be used against him (look-offs/play action), his man technique and ball tracking can be inconsistent, and he needs cleaner, stronger tackling, added mass, and better durability after multiple injury-impacted seasons.

Round Grade: Grey Chip (Day 3 Grade)

Shades of: Alohi Gillman