Last year, in my final predictive mock, I nailed two players that the Kansas City Chiefs drafted (Josh Simmons and Nohl Williams), and got four positions at slot correct (defensive tackle in the second round and wide receiver in the fourth).
This might be one of the toughest drafts to predict, as the Chiefs have so many picks, and this draft seems very random, as there are premium players at non-premium positions and the loaded 2027 quarterback class looms over the league.
Most of the players in our mock also have a scouting report, including a film cut-up if you click their name. Keep in mind, these picks are what we think will happen, not what we want to happen. So please, save your angry comments and tweets!
Round 1, Pick 9: Rueben Bain Jr., Edge, Miami
This could easily be Jordyn Tyson, but right now Bain's floor feels like pick #9. The Chiefs have an obvious need for edge rush, and Bain's playstyle is a high-level fit for what the Chiefs like on defense. For those concerned about the arm length, Bain has proven he can win inside as well. Even if he rotates inside at times, that's still a valuable position of need for the team.
Why we think this is the pick: We've heard that the Chiefs are intrigued by Tyson, but the wide receiver corps is in a far better place than the defensive line. The Chiefs can add a receiver down the board and address a bigger position of need. Between the news of Bain's traffic incident and the short arms, there's a decent chance he's in striking range for Kansas City.
Shades of: Terrell Suggs
Round 1, Pick 23: Max Iheanachor, Offensive Tackle, Arizona State
Projected trade: Chiefs send picks 29 and 74 to receive picks 23 and 114.
In this projected trade, the Chiefs give up 860 points of draft capital to receive 826 points of capital, which is a bit of an overpay, but the Chiefs have some picks to spend.
This could possibly be Blake Miller or Kadyn Proctor (who we hear the Chiefs really like); however, the point remains that the Chiefs seem serious about finding a long-term right tackle. Iheanachor is relatively new to football (only played four years), but the movement skills and traits already have him holding his own against draftable players like David Bailey and Romello Height.
Why we think this is the pick: Brett Veach mentioned in his press conference the drop-off at the tackle position. If the Chiefs want a tackle, there's a good chance they will need to get aggressive at pick 29. Iheanachor's pass protection and movement skills give the Chiefs a highly fluid and athletic tackle tandem with Josh Simmons. The sky is the limit for them, and their skill sets complement the offense well.
Shades of: Anton Harrison
Round 2, Pick 40: Caleb Banks, Interior Defensive Linemen, Florida
This falls under the "Spags can't help himself" category of picks. Banks has tools and traits at 6-6, 327 lbs, and nearly posted a sub-5-second 40-yard dash (with a broken foot!). There is so much to be optimistic about with Banks. Simply put, there just aren't many humans as big as him who can move like him. However, the production and tape have plenty of questions that need to be answered. Banks at 40 has some risk.
Why we think is the pick: The Chiefs' need at defensive tackle is underrated. Behind Chris Jones and Khyiris Tonga is Omarr Norman-Lott, who has played 6 career games and is coming off an ACL. The Chiefs have a need at the position, and Brett Veach even addressed that in his press conference. Between the foot injuries and the lack of production, there are some real questions about Banks, but the upside is immense, and the Chiefs might bet on their infrastructure and medical staff to get the most out of him.
Shades of: Chris Jones (as a prospect not the HOFer)
Round 4, Pick 109: Jalon Kilgore, Defensive Back, South Carolina
The Chiefs finally address their need for defensive back with their first selection on Day 3. The Chiefs have drafted 11 corners since Brett Veach became general manager, and all but two of them have been on Day 3. Kilgore has a similar profile to L'Jarius Sneed—some think he's a safety and some think he's a slot corner. He has the size to be a contemporary big nickel similar to his former teammate Nick Emmanwori. With growth, he could develop on the outside as well.
Why we think this is the pick: Still just 21 years old, Kilgore brings the combination of size and physicality the Chiefs like. His versatility and ability to step up into the box make him another chess piece for Steve Spagnuolo. The Chiefs spend their first 3 selections in the trenches, which is precisely what Andy Reid has done over his career. Now they address their secondary and add depth.
Shades of: L'Jarius Sneed
Round 4, Pick 114: Justin Joly, Tight End, North Carolina State
The Chiefs' first pass catcher isn't a receiver but a tight end. Joly is a nice blend of what prime Kelce brought as a YAC threat but also brings a higher floor as a blocker than the Chiefs currently have in Jared Wiley and Noah Gray. Joly is not going to be a traditional Y-tight end, but he's a movable "F" that should be the Chiefs' most dynamic pass-catching threat at tight end since Kelce was at the peak of his powers.
Why we think this is the pick: The Chiefs have a history of drafting at least a few players they have in on 30 visits, and Joly was one of those. Additionally, we know the Chiefs aren't going to find the next Travis Kelce, but they could find some of what he offered as a pass catcher. After 2026, the tight end room is a total unknown. While Joly isn't the blocker some want, he can do similar things to Kelce.
Shades of: Isaiah Likely
Round 5, Pick 148: Reggie Virgil, Wide Receiver, Texas Tech
The Chiefs go back-to-back pass catchers. Drafting a player from Texas Tech worked well last time—why not try it again? While it will be interesting to see if Mahomes' NIL influence for Texas Tech makes an impact on the Chiefs roster, Virgil has more going for him than where he played. Virgil brings an element of speed and explosiveness to the vertical plane. He's still got size, too, at 6-3, and he can help continue to open up the offense alongside Tyquan Thornton.
Why we think this is the pick: Don't be surprised if the Chiefs wait on receiver longer than we'd like. They might be betting on a fully healthy season from Rashee Rice and Xavier Worthy, more focus on Tyquan Thornton, and better coaching from Chad O'Shea. The Chiefs have been sniffing around players like Virgil with their allotted 30 pre-draft visits with Ted Hurst and Carnell Tate. Virgil brings a similar skill set and can help continue to open up the intermediate game for Rashee Rice, Travis Kelce, and Kenneth Walker.
Shades of: Troy Franklin
Round 5, Pick 169: Jakobe Thomas, Safety, Miami
Chiefs add safety depth and an immediate special teams impact as well in Thomas. He's a tone-setting player for a defense too—he plays like a heat-seeking missile. He's been productive in the box and generated turnovers consistently as well (7 forced turnovers in 2025). He and Kilgore bring versatility to the secondary the Chiefs love; both can do several things well, including blitz.
Why we think this is the pick: The Chiefs love drafting safeties, and they love guys who crash downhill and can blitz. Thomas does lots of those things well and has been a strong special teams contributor as well. This adds depth that the secondary needs and a tone-setter for both the defense and the special teams unit.
Shades of: Andre Cisco
Round 5, Pick 176: Aiden Fisher, Linebacker, Indiana
One of the leaders of the Hoosiers defense, Fisher was described as one of the best leaders on the team. Voted a team captain by his peers, he brings a high floor as a role player. He's diminutive in stature for the position, but he makes up for it in smarts. Always seems to read things out correctly, always in the right place at the right time.
Why we think this is the pick: Any time you're looking at Day 3, special teams have to be a part of the player's profile. Fisher can certainly factor in there right away. His work ethic and intangibles make him a profile worth betting on. Nick Bolton will remain the centerpiece of the Chiefs linebacker corps, but Drue Tranquill is in his final year with the team, and Jeffrey Bassa hasn't shown anything yet. There's lots of Tranquill in Fisher's game.
Shades of: Akheem Davis-Gaither
Round 6, Pick 210: Andre Fuller, Corner, Toledo
Here's where we get the traits-driven cornerback pick on Day 3. Fuller has nice size for the position and adequate long speed but tends to get grabby at the line of scrimmage. Sound familiar? It's the profile of many Chiefs corners over the years, and the Chiefs will likely continue to bet on their development and player traits.
Why we think this is the pick: One of Fuller's best athletic comps as it relates to size and testing is Kristian Fulton, so he fits the bill of a Chiefs corner. Here, the Chiefs get a more traditional boundary corner (unlike Kilgore) while also raising the floor of the room and bringing in a special teams option.
Shades of: Kristan Fulton
Add us as a preferred source on Google