Who are the Kansas City Chiefs going to select in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft? That much won't be certain for a few more months, but it's always fun to look around at the various projections to see what is possible.
The Chiefs select at No. 9 overall, which means the most esteemed prospects will be off the draft board, but for a franchise that's perpetually stuck in the thirties for their first-round choice, it's a nice boost in overall talent to be able to grab a top-ten talent who will bring his blue-chip ceiling to a roster that could use another player with true impact.
The Chiefs have real chances to add nice talent in the second and third rounds with two more picks in the top 75 overall, but let's survey who is possible at No. 9 by looking at various mock drafts.
Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State
The choices before the Chiefs look quite scintillating in the latest mock draft from USA Today's Ayrton Ostly. With Utah offensive tackle Spencer Fano and Auburn edge Keldrick Faulk going in the top four, the Chiefs can choose from the draft's best pure pass rusher, a top wide receiver, and the safest prospect of all. That's quite the selection.
In this case, Jordyn Tyson is the pick over Ohio State safety Caleb Downs and Texas Tech edge David Baley, and fans clamoring for true offensive changes will love the way Tyson immediately slots in as the most dynamic pass catcher on the team. Together with Rashee Rice and Xavier Worthy, the wide receiver room could be truly scary if Patrick Mahomes returns healthy and ready to start the season.
Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame
The latest mock draft from Pro Football Focus keeps things going on the offensive side, but gives K.C. the backfield weapon that they've lacked for the last few years in Jeremiyah Love, the star running back out of Notre Dame.
Love is a gift from above for a team like the Chiefs, should they make the call on draft day, given the dearth of talent in recent years. Going from a ceiling of someone like Isiah Pacheco to Love brings instant respectability from opposing defenses, and it takes the pressure off Mahomes, who will be returning from a torn ACL.
Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State
"This is a bit earlier than I prefer placing Tate, yet the Chiefs’ receiver position is a mess, and the franchise can’t waste these years with Patrick Mahomes," writes Tony Pauline of Essentially Sports in his latest mock draft. Some scouts will disagree with Pauline's assessment of Carnell Tate as a fringe top-10 pick in this year's draft, but it's hard to knock his reasoning.
The truth is that any sort of offensive investment with the first-round pick in this year's draft will prove to be a valuable addition for the Chiefs. Tate has played in the shadow of some truly great teammates at Ohio State, which makes it a bit harder to project how dominant he might be at the next level, but there's no denying his skill set as a high-floor prospect with elite hands who would immediately become a favorite of Mahomes.