Kansas City Chiefs fans aren't used to waiting this long. Recent seasons have featured deep postseason runs that keep the offseason conversations at bay until as late as mid-February. This year, however, draft talk has been a central focus since late December. That's not a good thing.
Fortunately the wait for the 2026 NFL Draft is over. Nine is the magic number for general manager Brett Veach—it's both the number of selections available to him and also the starting point at No. 9 overall in the first round. Kansas City has two firsts and more firepower than normal, with the bounty from the Trent McDuffie trade kicking in.
The best way for Chiefs Kingdom to prepare for the draft can be found with our Top 100 Prospects for the Chiefs, filled with in-depth scouting profiles from Kansas City's perspective. We also have our Arrowhead Addict Big Board to bookmark as the draft gets underway. And make sure to keep coming back here, to our Chiefs draft tracker, to stay on top of all the action from every angle.
Chiefs draft snapshot
- Primary needs: DE, WR, S, LB, OT
- Latest selection: Garrett Nussmeier, QB, LSU
- Last updated: Sat., April 25, 7:00 p.m. CT
Chiefs draft selections
Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU (1st round, No. 6)
Mansoor Delane's in-depth scouting report
The Chiefs traded quite a bit (extra third and fifth-round choices) to the Cleveland Browns to move up from No. 9 to No. 6—just three slots in a maligned rookie class. However, the Chiefs must have had Delane high enough on their draft board to make such a move. Like the process or not, it's hard not to love the actual player and what he brings to the defense.
Delane is one of the draft class's safest players, with a well-rounded skill set that guarantees a high floor for a Chiefs' secondary that's sorely lacking anything certain in 2026 after having traded Trent McDuffie and losing Jaylen Watson in free agency. The healing has begun in the defensive backfield, and Delane's going to be the best player behind Chris Jones from Week 1.
Peter Woods, DT, Clemson (1st round, No. 29)
Peter Woods' in-depth scouting report
Peter Woods was a massive interior force trying to make magic happen for a fairly miserable Clemson team in 2025, which is why scouts weren't exactly raving about an oft-doubled trenchman whose production dipped after a stellar 2024. The Chiefs are betting that such freakish athleticism will work out just fine at the next level.
If anything, the addition of Woods as the team's second first-round choice is a nod to Chris Jones. After years of limited depth and talent around their star pass rusher, the Chiefs have spent the last two offseason securing bright young talent around him. Omarr Norman-Lott, Khyiris Tonga, Woods, and Jones form a robust core of interior talent up front, and Woods' potential gives K.C. someone who might carry the torch down the road.
R Mason Thomas, EDGE, Oklahoma (2nd round, No. 40)
R Mason Thomas' scouting report
The Chiefs continued their defensive emphasis with three big additions in the first three picks. Thomas helps round out the depth chart and brings incredible burst as a DPR who might have a greater than expected impact if he can hold up better against the run. Either way, the Chiefs got a guy with the nickname of "The Closer", which tells you all you need to know about how Sooner fans view him.
Jadon Canady, DB, Oregon (4th round, No. 109)
After losing several defensive backs of varying levels of importance this offseason, it's not a surprise to see the Chiefs add a second one in this draft class. Jadon Canady profiles as a versatile addition to the Chiefs secondary who enjoyed a banner year with the Ducks while allowing a scant 41.8 passer rating when targeted. Expect him to compete with Kader Kohou for starting slot reps.
Emmett Johnson, RB, Nebraska (5th round, No. 161)
Emmett Johnson's scouting profile
The Chiefs' backfield looks stronger than it has in a decade with the arrival of Johnson to bolster an already overhauled unit. Johnson is coming off an incredibly productive season in which he reached 1,800 yards from scrimmage. He's a proven leader with killer work ethic and a well-rounded skill set. Chiefs fans are going to love this pick.
Cyrus Allen, WR, Cincinnati (5th round, No. 176)
The Big 12's leader in receiving touchdowns a year ago (13) gives Kansas City a real separator in the WR room, a solid late-round find who could carve out a bigger-than-expected target share for himself in 2027 and beyond. While it's not the level of investment some fans wanted, Allen is a solid find so late in the draft.
Garrett Nussmeier, QB, LSU (7th round, No. 249)
The Chiefs surprised everyone with a quarterback selection to cap their draft class, but fans can only hope Nussmeier looks the part of a long-term developmental arm as K.C. makes a draft investment in the position for the first time since 2017.
Updated Chiefs depth chart
Offense
- QB: Patrick Mahomes, Justin Fields, Garrett Nussmeier, Chris Oladokun, Jake Haener
- RB: Kenneth Walker, Emmett Johnson, Emari Demercado, Brashard Smith, ShunDerrick Powell
- WR: Rashee Rice, Xavier Worthy, Tyquan Thornton, Jalen Royals, Cyrus Allen, Nikko Remigio, Jason Brownlee, Andrew Armstrong, Jimmy Holiday
- TE: Travis Kelce, Noah Gray, Jared Wiley, Jake Briningstool, Tre Watson
- OL: Josh Simmons, Kingsley Suamataia, Creed Humphrey, Trey Smith, Jaylon Moore, Esa Pole, Wanya Morris, Mike Caliendo, Hunter Nourzad, CJ Hanson, Ethan Driskell, Chu Godrick, Matt Waletzko
The Chiefs could flirt with an offensive tackle early, depending on how they internally view Josh Simmons' rookie campaign and Jaylon Moore's effectiveness for a full season. Wide receiver is also an obvious need, especially beyond 2026. Tight end is a major concern beyond this season as well. Expect the Chiefs to look at running backs only if a prospect they like falls farther than expected.
Defense
- IDL: Chris Jones, Khyiris Tonga, Peter Woods, Omarr Norman-Lott, Zacch Pickens, Marcus Harris
- EDGE: George Karlaftis, Ashton Gillotte, R Mason Thomas, Tyreke Smith, Ethan Downs, Felix Anudike-Uzomah
- LB: Nick Bolton, Drue Tranquill, Jeff Bassa, Cooper McDonald, Jack Cochrane, Cole Christiansen, Kam Arnold, Brandon George
- CB: Mansoor Delane, Kristian Fulton, Nohl Williams, Kader Kohou, Jadon Canady, Kevin Knowles, Kaiir Elam, Melvin Smith,
- S: Alohi Gilman, Chamarri Conner, Jaden Hicks, Christian Roland-Wallace, Tanner McCalister
Defensive end is an absolute mess beyond Karlaftis and Gillotte. Further bolstering the interior with one more prospect would be a good idea to turn a weakness into a real strength. Linebacker turnover is a multi-year project after Leo Chenal's departure this year and Tranquill in his final season in K.C. But nothing is bigger here than the need for more talent and depth at corner and safety after secondary departures.
Chiefs draft pick tracker
Pick | Player | Position | School |
|---|---|---|---|
No. 6 (1st) | CB | LSU | |
No. 29 (1st) | DT | Clemson | |
No. 40 (2nd) | DE | Oklahoma | |
No. 109 (4th) | CB | Oregon | |
No. 169 (5th) | RB | Nebraska | |
No. 176 (5th) | WR | Cincinnati | |
No. 210 (6th) | QB | LSU |
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