The Kansas City Chiefs offseason is officially underway. With Super Bowl LX in the books, every team in the National Football League is focused on the year to come, with roster construction already underway or deep into the planning stages.
For the Chiefs, both free agency and the draft are going to be pivotal exercises of equal importance. The team has immediate roster concerns and long-term depth issues that warrant attention following a six-win season. From injuries at quarterback to special teams inconsistency, there's nary a spot on the Chiefs' roster that should feel completely secure.
Cody Williams is the NFL Director for FanSided's official site and recently released a full three-round mock looking ahead to the 2026 NFL Draft to start the offseason. He's given the Chiefs some fresh directions over the first two days, so let's take a look at the picks and what they would offer Kansas City going forward.
A new three-round mock from FanSided brings some fresh faces to the Chiefs' picks.
1st round - David Bailey, Edge, Texas Tech
Having the single most productive pass rusher in college football fall to the Chiefs at No. 9 in this draft would be a dream come true. Other needs could be addressed here, but if Bailey is available, it's hard to imagine general manager Brett Veach would pass on the chance to immediately upgrade the overall juice at the position.
Ashton Gillotte is a nice long-term piece who could be a breakout candidate in year two. George Karlaftis is installed as another starter who generates consistent pressure with technique, motor, and disciplined effort. However, the team lacks a true catalytic force who can get around good-to-great tackles with his burst and bend.
If Bailey is the pick, the Chiefs pass rush will no longer be known as "Chris Jones and the rest," which is a big step toward building another championship nucleus in the second half of Patrick Mahomes' career.
2nd round - Blake Miller, OT, Clemson
Other tackle prospects will generate more excitement in pre-draft workouts with better measurables. But the Chiefs could use exactly what Blake Miller can bring, which is a pro-level readiness out of the gate at right tackle.
Jaylon Moore is the assumed starter on the right side, but he's in a contract year and looked worse as teams gathered more tape on him in 2026. If the Chiefs could bring Miller in slowly and have Moore potentially around as a swing tackle, that would go a long way toward alleviating concerns around Josh Simmons' availability on the left side as well.
Miller has loads of experience (over 50 collegiate starts at Clemson) and is a coach's favorite, with a workmanlike demeanor that would fit right in alongside Creed Humphrey and Trey Smith.
3rd round - Zachariah Branch, WR, Georgia
Chiefs fans will learn to appreciate the help in the trenches from the first two rounds, but fans starved for more dynamism on offense finally land their prize in Georgia wide receiver Zachariah Branch.
Branch led the SEC in catches with 81 last season and posted a career high 6 touchdowns as well. Scouts are mixed on just how well he'll fare with greater responsibility at the next level or whether he'll remain a gadget player who would profile best as a Mecole Hardman type.
There's good value for the Chiefs here either way, since Branch is undoubtedly an offensive sparkplug who has elite speed and return capabilities. Special teams would receive an immediate boost and Mahomes lands another playmaker.