The Kansas City Chiefs hold the ninth overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. It's a rare opportunity for the Chiefs, who are used to picking at the end of the first round due to being a Super Bowl contender year-in and year-out. While they didn't make the playoffs in 2025, this is now the perk of failing to qualify, as they own a top-10 pick, giving them a chance to really load up for 2026 and come back with a vengence.
The previous consensus amongst the draft talking heads was that K.C. was locked in on taking Jeremiyah Love with the ninth pick. Well, now that the Chiefs signed Kenneth Walker, that's likely not happening (plus Love probably won't even fall that far in the first place). With Love not the consensus pick anymore, every mock draft seems to look a little different for Kansas City.
Here's the latest mock draft roundup.
Chiefs could go anywhere at No. 9 and mocks prove it
NFL.com: Spencer Fano, OT (Utah)
We'll have two NFL.com mock drafts included here, but Daniel Jeremiah's mock draft is up first. He has the Chiefs going in what could be looked at as a more surprising direction, linking them to Spencer Fano out of Utah.
Hey, don't get me wrong, addressing the right tackle spot wouldn't be a bad move by any means but the Chiefs don't necessarily have to do it right now. They have Jaylon Moore in line to start on that side of the line and it's a contract year for him. That being said, we've seen what not having depth on the o-line can lead to so would anyone really be upset if K.C. went in this direction?
Here's what Jeremiah said:
"Fano can start immediately at right tackle and eventually kick inside to guard if necessary. The Chiefs will have excellent information on him because of Andy Reid's relationship with former Utah head coach (and former BYU teammate) Kyle Whittingham."
NFL.com: Mansoor Delane, CB (LSU)
The second mock draft from NFL.com is courtesy of Eric Edholm who thinks the Chiefs will target arguably their biggest need. That would be cornerback and he has connected them to LSU's Mansoor Delane.
"With two of their starting corners heading to the Rams this offseason ( via trade and  via free agency), the Chiefs have a tough time passing on the top option here. Delane is a press-man corner who gets physical in the run game, too. That's what coordinator Steve Spagnuolo seeks at the position."
It'd be difficult to be upset about the Chiefs nabbing a top cornerback prospect for Steve Spagnuolo. Delane is someone they could slot in right away and he'd definitely address a position of need.
NBC Sports: Rueben Bain Jr., EDGE (Miami)
Another mock draft, another player and position for the Chiefs proving that no one has any idea what direction Kansas City is going to go in. Kyle Dvorchak of NBC Sports thinks that, when push comes to shove, the Chiefs will add one of the best pass rushers in this year in Rueben Bain Jr.
"For a team that played in the Super Bowl 13 months ago, the Chiefs have a lot of holes. Without blitzing, the Chiefs ranked 21st in pressure rate. After trading cornerback Trent McDuffie, sending extra pass-rushers may no longer be an option. Given that the Chiefs shouldn’t plan on picking in the top 10 again anytime soon, they should feel obligated to take a big swing at one of the most valuable positions in football."
No one would be upset if the Chiefs ended up with Bain, at least no one in Kansas City would be. Pass rush was an issue for this team in 2025 and if they want their defense to be better in 2026, adding a player like Bain would certainly help.