The Kansas City Chiefs have serious long-term needs on both sides of the ball, so it's a good thing that general manager Brett Veach has a chance to pivot in either direction in the 2026 NFL Draft. The Chiefs start picking at No. 9 overall, which means they're dependent on several teams in front of them to "do the right thing" in order for a preferred blue-chip prospect to fall to them. And mock drafts leading up to the real thing can show just how much Veach might have to alter his approach.
Our latest four-round mock draft featured every elite defender coming off the board before the Chiefs' first selection. Pass rushers like Rueben Bain Jr., David Bailey, and Arvelle Reese were all gone in the first eight picks. So were safety Caleb Downs and linebacker Sonny Styles. For a team looking for a younger impact player on defense, the Chiefs have to pivot in this scenario.
Fortunately, a mock like this shows that Veach can lay a very impressive offensive foundation for Patrick Mahomes going forward. Let's take a look:
Our latest four-round mock draft allows Brett Veach to lay a new offensive foundation around Patrick Mahomes at the skill positions.
First Round (No. 9 overall) - Makai Lemon, WR, USC
After missing out on the draft's best defenders, Veach pivots to replenishing the skill positions at the start of this draft. Makai Lemon is certainly a nice "consolation" prize at No. 9 overall. Lemon would immediately become Patrick Mahomes' best friend as a volume target who might be the safest bet at the position in this year's draft. He was an All-American at USC a year ago with 79 catches for 1,156 yards and 9 touchdowns
While Lemon's smaller stature brings up fit concerns, the truth is that Lemon's projected impact makes him the sort of receiver you pick now and worry about fit later. The Chiefs have questions about every single receiver on the roster for 2026, so the unit would be considerably better with Lemon laying the floor for the passing attack. Amon-Ra St. Brown comparisons abound.
Second Round (No. 40) - Lee Hunter, DL, Texas Tech
The Chiefs might feel a bit of a letdown from a first-round progression that saw David Bailey and Rueben Bain Jr. taken off the board in the first few picks of this mock draft. However, the defensive line gets a nice boost in the second round with the selection of Lee Hunter out of Texas Tech.
At a bare minimum, Hunter would immediately raise the floor at a position far too dependent on limited, aging veterans for the last couple of years. Together with the return of Omarr Norman-Lott from injury (and Chris Jones, of course), the Chiefs defensive interior would look as robust as it has in several seasons. The bonus here is that there's good reason to expect Hunter to potentially blossom as a disruptor on passing downs. Veach would be ecstatic if the board fell this way.
Third Round (No. 74) - Emmett Johnson, RB, Nebraska
Another mock draft, another day two selection of Emmett Johnson. That's because the Nebraska running back is such a strong fit for what the Chiefs want and need at the position. Johnson averaged 5.8 yards/carry last season on his way to 1,451 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns, which led the Big Ten and ranked No. 6 overall in FBS.
Considering Isiah Pacheco and Kareem Hunt are both free agents, the Chiefs must make a sizable investment at the position this offseason, especially in the draft. Brashard Smith is back for another year, and perhaps a top-flight free agent makes this less of a need, but Johnson in the third round is the ideal value at a major need.
Fourth Round (No. 109) - Joe Royer, TE, Cincinnati
Drafting a tight end from the University of Cincinnati worked out fairly well for the Chiefs in 2013. Why not take another chance? Joe Royer transferred downstate from Ohio State before the 2024 season for sake of greater offensive share, and he found it to the tune of 79 catches, 937 receiving yards, and 7 touchdowns over the last two seasons.
Royer's excellent hands make him an asset at the next level, even as there are very real concerns with build and blocking at the NFL level. This would be a splendid pick for the Chiefs if Travis Kelce returns and is able to help mentor a draft pick to potentially carry the torch (or at least a partial load), knowing Noah Gray is a cut candidate and Jared Wiley is a wild card.