For the first time since 2013, the Kansas City Chiefs will enter draft weekend holding a top-10 pick (assuming they don't trade it). This was made possible thanks to their 6-11 finish in 2025, netting them the ninth overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, which has Chiefs fans dreaming of the possible prospects that Kansas City could add to its roster.
Typically, the most notable names in a draft are quarterbacks, which helps the teams not needing quarterbacks because it makes it easier for them to get a standout player at a different position. That sadly won't be the case this year due to the lack of talent at the quarterback spot in the draft.
Dante Moore complicated things even further for the Chiefs, as the Oregon Ducks signal-caller almost certainly would have gone second overall to the quarterback-needy Jets. Unfortunately, Moore decided not to declare for the draft and will return to Eugene for the 2026 college football season.
This means that the Jets went from going with a quarterback, a position the Chiefs have no interest in addressing in the first round, to targeting a position K.C. might be looking to improve. With the next best quarterback in the draft being Ty Simpson of Alabama (and the drop-off between him and Mendoza is pretty big), the Chiefs don't even get to take advantage of other teams needing quarterbacks because not many are worth taking that high.
Dante Moore's decision to stay in college hurts Chiefs' draft outlook
Now, let's not get it twisted here -- There will still be plenty of talented players for the Chiefs to add with the ninth pick. But their chances of getting a heavy-hitter wide receiver like Carnell Tate or Jordyn Tyson or a talented safety like Caleb Downs or whatever key position Brett Veach will be zeroing in on decrease with these other teams having to pivot from going after a quarterback.
Obviously drafting ninth overall gives the Chiefs an opportunity they've seldom gotten in the Patrick Mahomes era. It is frustrating that the one year they're in this spot, the quarterback-needy teams won't be stumbling over each other to get one. Hopefully, the Chiefs can still take advantage of this rare opportunity and find someone that can improve their roster from Day 1.