The 2026 NFL Draft is this week, which ends a long, grueling wait for Chiefs fans. The Chiefs enter potentially the most important draft of the Patrick Mahomes era and have ample resources to their advantage, with two first-round picks as well as the 40th overall pick.
With one of the most pivotal dates on the NFL calendar approaching, it is relevant to look at the Chiefs' history within the first round of the NFL Draft. For this exercise, I will be doing a full 32-selection first-round draft with the best player that the Chiefs selected in each slot.
Before we dive into each selection, there is certain criteria for a player to appear on this list. For starters, they must have been selected by the Chiefs directly, so players who signed or were traded from other teams do not qualify for this list. This exercise is for first-round picks only, so any player selected on day two or beyond will also not appear. Therefore, current franchise cornerstones Chris Jones and Travis Kelce (picked in the 2nd and 3rd rounds, respectively) will not be on this list.
Lastly, these players will be judged strictly for what they accomplished in Kansas City, as their accolades on other teams will not factor in. Without further ado, here is the Chiefs' all-time first-round mock draft.
The Chiefs' All-Time First-Round Mock Draft
1. Buck Buchanan: Defensive Tackle (Grambling, 1963)
The Chiefs' all-time draft starts off with a bang, as they select Hall of Fame defensive tackle Buck Buchanan with their top pick. Buchanan was the first overall selection out of Grambling in 1963, before the AFL-NFL merger. In fact, the Chiefs were still known as the Dallas Texans when they selected Buchanan. Buchanan immediately was one of the premier defensive players throughout the league, as he was named First-Team All-AFL in six consecutive seasons (1964–1969). He was also a key contributor to the Chiefs' inaugural Super Bowl-winning team in 1969 and was named Second-Team All-Pro twice following the merger. Buchanan was enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1990 and was selected to the NFL's 100th Anniversary All-Time team in 2019. Needless to say, he was worth the first overall pick in the draft.
2. Neil Smith: Defensive End (Nebraska, 1988)
With the Chiefs' second overall pick, they select another dominant force on the defensive line in Smith. Taken out of Nebraska in 1988, Smith went on to become one of the best defensive ends of his era in Kansas City. Throughout his time with the Chiefs, Smith was a 3x All-Pro (First-Team once, Second-Team twice) and made five consecutive Pro Bowls from 1991 to 1995. He additionally led the NFL in sacks in 1993 and tied for the lead in forced fumbles in 1994. While Smith has not been selected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame to this point, he is in the Chiefs Hall of Fame and was named to the 1990s All-Decade team.
3. Tyson Jackson: Defensive Tackle (LSU, 2009)
With respect to Jackson, he gets on this list by default, as he is the only third overall pick to ever play for the Chiefs. The franchise's only other third pick was Ronnie Bull, who was taken in 1962. While Bull went on to have a good career with the Chicago Bears, he never played a down for the Chiefs. Taken out of LSU in 2009, Jackson was a solid piece on Kansas City's interior defensive line for five seasons before signing with Atlanta in 2014. His career got off to a promising start, as he was selected to the Pro Football Writers Association's All-Rookie team in his debut season. However, Jackson ultimately never made a Pro Bowl or All-Pro team and did not receive a second contract with the team.
4. Derrick Thomas: Defensive End (Alabama, 1989)
This one isn't even a conversation. While Thomas is the only 4th overall selection in Chiefs history, he would almost certainly be in this spot even if there were numerous others taken in this slot. Thomas is one of the best pass rushers in NFL history, recording an astounding 126.5 career sacks in just eleven seasons (all in Kansas City) before his tragic passing in 2000. In his illustrious career, Thomas was a 5x All-Pro, made nine consecutive Pro Bowls, led the NFL in sacks in 1990, and has his #58 jersey retired. Thomas still holds the distinction of recording the most sacks in a single game, a feat he accomplished against the Seattle Seahawks in 1990. He was named to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2009. With the fourth pick in their all-time draft, the Chiefs get arguably the best defensive player in franchise history.
5. Eric Berry: Safety (Tennessee, 2010)
While Bill Maas deserves a shout out, Eric Berry is a clear selection as the best 5th overall pick for the Chiefs. Selected with a top-5 pick out of Tennessee, Berry immediately proved to be worth it and then some. Despite playing just nine seasons, he was one of the best safeties of the 2010s and played a pivotal role in the Chiefs becoming a perennial playoff team in 2013. Berry's career started off with a bang, as he was named to the PFWA's All-Rookie team before earning three First-Team All-Pro selections, five Pro Bowls, and being named to the 2010s All-Decade team. This said, Berry's greatest career accomplishment came off the field when he beat a Hodgkin's Lymphoma diagnosis prior to the 2015 season. In his first season off of cancer treatment, Berry was named a First-Team All-Pro and helped the Chiefs win their first playoff game since 1993.
6. EJ Holub: Center/Linebacker (Texas Tech, 1961)
For the sixth pick in their all-time draft, we go all the way back to 1961. With this pick they select E.J. Holub, a two-way player who was a major contributor to their success in the 1960s. Holub played a decade with the Chiefs, where he helped them win Super Bowl IV in 1969, as well as three AFL titles in '62, '66, and '69. He also earned numerous individual accolades, being named to the All-AFL team in five seasons. Holub is in the Chiefs' Hall of Honor and owns the unique distinction of being the only player to start at two different positions in multiple Super Bowls (linebacker in Super Bowl I and center in Super Bowl IV).
7. Brian Jozwiak: Offensive Tackle (West Virginia, 1986)
The seventh pick in the Chiefs' all-time draft is Brian Jozwiak, who looked to be a promising offensive lineman before suffering a career-ending hip injury after just three seasons. While Jozwiak has a very low sample size, he was named to the PFWA All-Rookie team in 1986. The only other option for this slot was Todd Blackledge, whom the Chiefs infamously selected over Dan Marino in 1983. Blackledge completed less than half of his passes and threw more interceptions than touchdowns in his Chiefs tenure. While Jozwiak had unfulfilled potential, his All-Rookie selection gives him the nod over Blackledge.
8. Ed Budde: Offensive Guard (Michigan State, 1962)
With the eighth selection, the Chiefs select one of the premier offensive linemen of the '60s and another key piece of their success in that era. Budde was another member of the Super Bowl-winning team in 1969 and was a four-time All-AFL selection. He was also named to the AFL All-Time team following the merger in 1970 and is a member of the Chiefs Hall of Honor. Budde started 161 games throughout his 14-year career with the Chiefs.
9. Whoever they select on Thursday
Prior to this year, the Chiefs have never had the ninth selection in the draft. Whichever player they draft in this spot on Thursday will automatically claim this spot.
10. Patrick Mahomes: Quarterback (Texas Tech, 2017)
Oh wow, a real nail-biter here. Since taking over as the starter in 2018, Mahomes has only won three Super Bowls, three Super Bowl MVPs, two NFL MVPs, five conference championships, and has become the face of the NFL. Other than that, he's been alright, I guess. In their all-time draft, the Chiefs get the best player in franchise history at the end of the top ten. Decent value.
11. Dontari Poe: Nose Tackle (Memphis, 2012)
Dontari Poe enters as the eleventh overall pick in the Chiefs' all-time draft. An absolute mountain on the defensive line, Poe was named a Second-Team All-Pro in 2013 and made two Pro Bowls in Kansas City. The Memphis product was an excellent run stopper and was among the players who helped the Chiefs regain respectability when Andy Reid was hired in 2013. Perhaps the most memorable play of Poe's career was actually on offense, as he became the heaviest player ever to throw a touchdown pass, doing so against the Denver Broncos in 2016.
12. N/A
The Chiefs have never selected anyone with the 12th overall pick.
13. Tony Gonzalez: Tight End (California, 1997)
Another slam-dunk pick at thirteen. Gonzalez is one of the greatest tight ends in NFL history and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame on the first ballot in 2013. He spent 12 seasons in Kansas City, where he was a 9x All-Pro (5x First-Team, 4x Second-Team), made the Pro Bowl every season, and was named to the 2000s All-Decade team. Throughout his tenure with the Chiefs, Gonzalez accumulated 916 receptions for over 10,000 yards and 76 touchdowns. Gonzalez remains the most prolific receiving tight end in league history, as he is the all-time leader in both catches and yards among the position. Factoring in Travis Kelce, two players in the conversation for greatest tight end of all time have played for the Chiefs.
14. John Tait: Offensive Tackle (BYU, 1999)
This was a difficult choice, as the Chiefs have never drafted a Pro Bowler 14th overall. With that said, I gave the nod to Tait, who started 66 games throughout five seasons in Kansas City. From 2000 to 2003, Tait was a full-time starter on the Chiefs' offensive line, missing just one game in that timespan. A notable play in Tait's career occurred in 2002, when he took a lateral from Trent Green and proceeded to run for 28 yards to set up a game-winning field goal against the Cleveland Browns.
15. Derrick Johnson: Linebacker (Texas, 2005)
With the 15th pick in their all-time draft, the Chiefs get yet another home run in Derrick Johnson, who was an outstanding presence in the middle of the defense for over a decade. Johnson played thirteen seasons in Kansas City, where he earned All-Pro honors twice and made four Pro Bowls. He is the all-time leading tackler in franchise history (as Sean McDonough emphatically declared in the 2017 Wild Card game) and was the quarterback of a defense with numerous stars such as Berry, Tamba Hali, and Justin Houston. In addition to his physicality and tackling prowess, Johnson was also capable in coverage, racking up 14 interceptions and 77 passes defensed.
16. Woody Green: Running Back (Arizona State, 1974)
The 16th pick in the Chiefs' all-time draft had a short tenure in the NFL but was productive in those seasons. Taken out of Arizona State in 1974, Green accumulated over 1,400 career rushing yards. He was also a capable pass catcher, hauling in 58 receptions for 562 yards. Green scored 11 touchdowns in his career. Unfortunately, Green's persistent lower-body injuries limited his career to just three seasons.
17. N/A
The Chiefs have never selected anyone with the 17th overall pick.
18. Marcus Peters: Cornerback (Washington, 2015)
At 18, the Chiefs select the ball-hawking Marcus Peters, who totaled 19 interceptions in just three seasons. A polarizing player among Chiefs fans due to his propensity to draw untimely penalties and overpursue in coverage, Peters earned two All-Pro selections in Kansas City (one First-Team and one Second-Team). He burst onto the scene in 2015 by leading the league in passes defensed, as well as tying for the lead in interceptions as a rookie. While Peters' time with the Chiefs was shorter than one would expect for a player of his caliber, he made the most of his three years.
19. Paul Palmer: Running Back/Return Specialist (Temple, 1987)
Palmer's career in Kansas City was even shorter than Peters', as he was only with the team for two years after being selected 19th overall in 1987. He narrowly edges out Mo Moorman, who started 68 games on the offensive line and was a member of the Super Bowl IV team. However, I went with Palmer due to his excellence as a kick returner, particularly in his rookie season. In 1987, Palmer returned 38 kickoffs for a league-leading 923 yards (24.3 yards per return) and 2 touchdowns. For his efforts, he was named to the All-Rookie team.
20. Dale Carter: Cornerback (Tennessee, 1992)
This was by far the toughest selection yet, as both Carter and Tamba Hali have great cases to be in this spot. Ultimately, I went with Carter because he accumulated similar accolades to Hali in less time (seven seasons with the Chiefs as opposed to eleven for Hali). A sometimes-forgotten piece of the Chiefs' run in the Marty Schottenheimer era, Carter was a 2x Second-Team All-Pro, made four consecutive Pro Bowls, and was named the 1992 Defensive Rookie of the Year. Throughout his tenure in Kansas City, Carter recorded 21 interceptions and 69 passes defensed.
21. John Alt: Offensive Tackle (Iowa, 1984)
This is another tough call, as Trent McDuffie has a case to be in this spot. However, following his trade to the Rams in March, McDuffie ultimately played just four seasons with the Chiefs, as opposed to Alt spending his entire thirteen-year career in Kansas City. The father of Chargers tackle Joe Alt is a member of the Chiefs' Hall of Fame and earned Second-Team All-Pro honors in 1990. While his son is currently starring on a division rival, Alt was a key piece of the Chiefs' offensive line for over a decade.
22. George Daney: Offensive Guard (UTEP, 1968)
Daney is the only player the Chiefs have ever selected 22nd overall, so he was the only choice for this spot. He spent seven seasons in the NFL, all with the Chiefs, appearing in 97 games and starting 29 of them. Most notably, Daney was a member of the Chiefs' Super Bowl IV team and started three games during that season.
23. Jim Marsalis: Cornerback (Tenneseee A&I, 1969)
While a case can be made for Dwayne Bowe to be in this spot, I went with another member of their inaugural Super Bowl-winning team. Marsalis was an underrated piece of the Chiefs' dominant defense as a rookie. He was named the Pro Football Weekly AFL Defensive Rookie of the Year and selected to the AFL All-Star team in his first season. Marsalis was a significant contributor in the Chiefs' title run, recording three interceptions in the AFL playoffs, two of which came against Jets Hall of Fame quarterback Joe Namath. He additionally earned First-Team All-Pro and Pro Bowl honors the following season in 1970.
24. Gene Trosch: Defensive Tackle (Miami FL, 1967)
Trosch is the only player the Chiefs have taken with the 24th pick, so he is another automatic selection. He only spent three seasons in Kansas City; however, he was another member of the 1969 Super Bowl team. Trosch appeared in 13 games in the 1969 season. He never played in the NFL again following Super Bowl IV.
25. Greg Hill: Running Back (Texas A&M, 1994)
Hill was a key piece of the Chiefs' running back rotation during their run in the mid-'90s, often splitting carries with Hall of Famer Marcus Allen. He averaged north of four yards per carry in three of his four seasons with the Chiefs and rushed for over 600 yards twice. With the backfield platoon of Hill and Allen, the Chiefs enjoyed three playoff appearances and two 13-win seasons.
26. Jon Baldwin: Wide Receiver (Pittsburgh, 2011)
Baldwin is another player who gets selected due to the lack of other options, as the only other 26th pick in Chiefs history is Sid Smith, who started just eight games in his career. Baldwin spent just two seasons with the Chiefs, where he caught 44 passes for 607 yards and 2 touchdowns. While Baldwin did not quite live up to being a first-round pick, it is worth wondering how productive he could have been had he not been traded before Andy Reid arrived.
27. Larry Johnson: Running Back (Penn State, 2003)
With the 27th pick in the Chiefs' all-time draft, they select one of the more underrated running backs of his era in Johnson. While Johnson did not have the longevity of other star backs, he had an outstanding peak, earning consecutive All-Pro selections in 2005 and 2006. Johnson's standout campaign came in 2006, when he was named a First-Team All-Pro and accumulated the second-most rushing yards in the NFL with 1,789. To this day, Johnson's 416 carries in 2006 is the most ever in one season. While he never quite matched his two-year run in '05 and '06, he was undeniably one of the best at his position for a stretch.
28. Jerome Woods: Safety (Memphis, 1996)
While Xavier Worthy could eventually wind up in this spot, he still has a ways to go. Woods was a key contributor to the Chiefs' defense from 1997 to 2004, earning a Pro Bowl selection in 2003. Perhaps the most impressive feat of Woods' career was enjoying a Pro Bowl season while coming off of a broken leg. For six consecutive seasons (1997–2003), Woods racked up 70 or more tackles, recording 80 or more stops three times. Woods played his entire career with the Chiefs, recording final career statistics of 534 total tackles, 15 interceptions, and 12 forced fumbles.
29. Whoever they select on Thursday
Similar to the 9th slot, the second of the Chiefs' two first-round picks on Thursday will be the first time they have ever selected in this spot.
30. George Karlaftis: Defensive End (Purdue, 2022)
Of all the players in the Chiefs' franchise-altering 2022 draft class, Karlaftis is the only one to receive a second contract. One of just four active players on this list, Karlaftis has two Super Bowl rings (LVII and LVIII) and has played in a third (LIX). Throughout his four seasons in Kansas City, Karlaftis has recorded 30.5 sacks and 79 quarterback hits. While he has yet to make an All-Pro or Pro Bowl team, "Furious George" has saved his best for the biggest games, as his eight postseason sacks lead the NFL since 2022. Karlaftis' signature performance came in the 2024 Divisional Round against the Houston Texans, where he sacked C.J. Stroud three times.
31. Felix-Anudike-Uzomah: Defensive End (Kansas State, 2023)
Similar to Baldwin, FAU finds his way into the Chiefs' all-time draft due to a lack of other options at 31. While he remains on the team, the results of Anudike-Uzomah's career have been underwhelming, although he still has time to change the narrative. Despite his lack of individual production, the Kansas State product was a member of the Chiefs' Super Bowl LVIII team and even recorded a tackle for loss in the game. Before missing the entirety of 2025 with a hamstring injury, Anudike-Uzomah accumulated 41 tackles, 3 sacks, and 2 forced fumbles in his two healthy seasons.
32. Josh Simmons: Offensive Tackle (Ohio State, 2025)
While it is still very early, Simmons' spot on this list might not take long to age well. Last season's first-round pick, Simmons looked the part of a future franchise left tackle in his rookie season. Finding stability on Patrick Mahomes' blind side has been an issue in the past, and Simmons has the potential to be a long-term solution. According to Pro Football Focus, Simmons allowed just two quarterback hits in 367 pass-blocking snaps in 2025. The only concern with Simmons to this point is availability, as he missed four games in the middle of the season for personal reasons and suffered a dislocated wrist in Week 13, which held him out for the remainder of the season.
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