Chiefs’ No. 9 pick may come down to just six realistic options

For the first time since selecting Patrick Mahomes in 2017, the Chiefs are picking in the top 10, and the talk of the town is what they will do with their highest-value selection in over a decade. The 2026 draft is one of the most unique classes in recent memory, with a lack of top prospects at high-value positions. This unusual dispersion of talent has caused a lot of debate.

Every fan, analyst, and scout has their opinions on who the Chiefs should take at nine, as well as whether they should even stay at nine to make their pick. As of today, there are just six prospects I would be willing to take at pick nine before I would start hunting to trade down. So who might those top guys be, and why are they the best options for the Chiefs?

Caleb Downs - S - Ohio State

Over the entirety of the offseason, I have planted my flag that Caleb Downs should be the Chiefs' top choice on draft day. The Chiefs' defensive scheme is aggressive, progressively adding pressure and moving defensive backs closer to the line of scrimmage as the game goes on. Downs is the best safety prospect I have ever watched, and his versatility would immediately transform the Chiefs' defense and strengthen the play of everyone around him.

Rueben Bain Jr.- EDGE - Miami

Over the last couple of months, Bain has been the draft crush for many Chiefs fans after his dominant season at Miami. This year with the 'Canes, Bain was the most dominant defensive player in the nation, and when teams did not account for him, he was a game wrecker. Bain is a perfect fit in the Chiefs' defense and would be almost a no-brainer if he were on the board at nine.

Carnell Tate - WR - Ohio State

Tate does not grade as my top receiver in the class overall, but for the Chiefs he is exactly the type of player they need. His incredible size, route tree, and consistency are exactly what the Chiefs have needed in their wide receiver room for years. Patrick Mahomes needs a pass catcher he can trust who can separate in a variety of ways and make the easy plays in space. Tate brings that, as well as a big frame that would immediately make him the top target in the Kansas City offense.

Sonny Styles - LB - Ohio State

Styles is one of the best linebacker prospects in recent memory, and his athleticism has blown away scouts across the league. While linebacker is not a major position of need for the Chiefs and is not considered a premium position, Styles is the type of player you just cannot pass on. Styles can line up in a variety of spots on the defense and has the upside to become one of the NFL's best linebackers for many years to come.

Jermod McCoy - CB - Tennessee

It is no secret that the Chiefs' secondary is in desperate need of help this offseason. After trading away Trent McDuffie and losing Bryan Cook and Jaylen Watson to free agency, the Chiefs' secondary took a big hit, and they will once again look to reload in the draft. McCoy would immediately be the Chiefs' best defensive back, and his pairing across from Nohl Williams would be perfect. McCoy tested well, which alleviated a lot of my concerns about him missing a full year of play, and his upside could make him one of the best cornerbacks in the NFL, given the Chiefs' DB development history.

Mansoor Delane - CB - LSU

The final prospect on this list is somewhat of a "break glass in case of emergency" type of player. Delane is one of the safest picks in the draft, with elite coverage skills, and there is little to no doubt about his ability to transition to the NFL. While he is not the strongest tackler, he has plenty of length and is willing to get his nose dirty, which is a promising sign. In a thin draft class like this one, Delane may not be everyone's idea of a top-10 pick, but he is far from being a reach at nine. He would immediately be the best defensive back on the Chiefs and would bring immense value to the secondary.

Final option: Trade down

The general idea among NFL insiders is that many teams will look to trade up on draft day, capitalizing on top prospects at positions of value with limited depth. Teams like the Lions or Rams could make a move to add a tackle, while teams like the Cowboys or Dolphins could look to jump up for defensive prospects. The wide receiver position is also one that many analysts think takes a major hit outside of the top three guys. If none of the aforementioned six players are on the board, a drop back in the first round should be the Chiefs' top priority.

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