We're less than two weeks away from the 2026 NFL Draft, and draft analysts are getting a (potentially) better read on how prospects are being viewed. That makes mock exercises feel a bit more substantive than they did a month or three ago.
For the Kansas City Chiefs, the chance to use up to 9 scheduled selections, including two first-round picks, to restock the shelves of a depleted roster is an exciting one. It also comes with the stress of facing so many choices.
In this latest five-round mock, the Chiefs end up completely overhauling the defense with some much-needed arrivals for offensive dynamism as well. Let's take a look at how the Chiefs' draft class could come together.
Round 1 (No. 9) - Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State
The Chiefs kick off what is ultimately a strong defensive haul with a major injection of talent on offense. Patrick Mahomes needs a new alpha in a wide receiver room full of questions and lacking any real long-term appeal. Tate can find his footing in Andy Reid's offense with Rashee Rice and Travis Kelce still around before assuming lead dog status in 2027 and beyond—a role which the Ohio State star is quite capable of playing.
Round 1 (No. 29) - T.J. Parker, EDGE, Clemson
George Karlaftis is one anchor. Ashton Gillotte is a solid addition to the rotation. Other than that, the Chiefs are looking at the odds and ends in your junk drawer at home at edge after releasing Mike Danna and watching Charles Omenihu leave to play in the nation's capital. Those aren't major losses, but the position was thin as it was, which is why T.J. Parker's arrival is a much-needed boost. For the Chiefs to sign off on this, they have to believe he can produce as he did in '24, but the floor here will help as he reaches toward his ceiling.
Round 2 (No. 40) - Brandon Cisse, CB, South Carolina
The secondary evolution gets underway with this pick, the first of a few exciting additions to the defensive backfield. Losing Jaylen Watson and Trent McDuffie is tough to take, but Cisse is a strong rebound. Cisse, who is still only 20 years old, lacks the numbers that would indicate he's a ballhawk, but he's an aggressive, physical defender who could thrive in Steve Spagnuolo's world. An immediate starter outside with CB1 upside and a player who lets everyone else (Kristian Fulton, Nohl Williams, Kader Kohou) settle into roles without reaching.
Round 3 (No. 74) - Darrell Jackson, DL, Florida State
The Chiefs could have gone a number of directions here—including tight end Max Klare—but the possibility to finally put the defensive interior over the top was too great to pass up. After years of watching aging vets take up space around Chris Jones, the Chiefs added Omarr Norman-Lott in the second round a year ago. An injury robbed him of all but five games, but adding Florida State nose tackle Darrell Jackson to the mix alongside free-agent signing Khyiris Tonga would turn the interior into a strength for the first time since Steve Spags arrived.
Round 4 (No. 109) - Zakee Wheatley, S, Penn State
The Chiefs also watched another cornerstone in the secondary leave in free agency when the Cincinnati Bengals signed Bryan Cook to a multi-year deal. However, the depth of this year's safety class allows K.C. to find a potential starter in Penn State's Zakee Wheatley, a rangy option who would work well with newly signed veteran Alohi Gilman to rebuild the unit. Together with Jaden Hicks and Chamarri Conner, the Chiefs would have nice versatility and depth.
Round 5 (No. 148) - Nicholas Singleton, RB, Penn State
With Kenneth Walker anchoring the new-look backfield, there's no reason to reach for a running back. However, Seattle never viewed him or used as a bell cow, and neither should the Chiefs. Emari Demercado was signed away from Arizona, and Brashard Smith is still around from last season, but it's hard to pass up Singleton's work elite speed and body of work as a returner here. Competition for meaningful roles in the backfield should be tough, but Chiefs fans will appreciate his talents.
Round 5 (No. 169) - Julian Neal, CB, Arkansas
Julian Neal could have been a consideration in earlier rounds, so it feels silly to see the lengthy corner from Arkansas listed here. The Chiefs will take it. Further depth for the secondary is a welcome arrival late in the fifth round, and the position looks a lot different with Cisse and Neal as incoming rookies.
Round 5 (No. 176) - Miles Kitselman, TE, Tennessee
If the Chiefs can't land a blocking tight end in free agency, then Kitselman is a solid attempt to add quality depth and raise the floor in that way this late in the draft. The Chiefs have long-term needs for talent and depth at tight end as it is, but Kitselman, who had 26 catches for 253 yards and 2 scores last year, could carve out some earlier reps if he can prove to be one of the team's best blocking options at the position.