The Kansas City Chiefs hold two picks in the top 40 of the 2026 NFL Draft, a situation they don’t find themselves in often. Not to mention, the Chiefs have a top-10 pick for the first time since 2017, when they traded up to nab Patrick Mahomes.
What will the Chiefs do with those two selections? Matt Miller of ESPN released his latest two-round mock draft and, at pick nine, he has the Chiefs going with Texas Tech EDGE rusher David Bailey.
"Kansas City has needs at several positions, namely right tackle, edge rusher and cornerback. And it could go with the highest-ranked player at those positions -- which would be Bailey, who tied for the FBS lead with 14.5 sacks last season.
Although he isn't the big-bodied defensive end Chiefs defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo prefers, the 6-foot-3, 250-pound Bailey has speed off the snap and the ability to chase down quarterbacks. The Chiefs had only 35 sacks as a team in 2025 (tied for 22nd in the NFL), so Bailey would give their pass rush a jolt with his agility and power."
It’d be hard to be too upset with this pick. As Miller noted, Bailey had 14.5 sacks for the Red Raiders in 2025, and the Chiefs desperately need help in their pass-rushing department. Bailey could provide a lethal weapon for them there.
The Chiefs will next be on the clock with the 40th pick of the draft, which is the eighth pick in the second round. Miller linked Kansas City to USC safety Kamari Ramsey.
"With Bryan Cook set to hit free agency, the Chiefs have a hole at safety with no up-and-coming prospect ready to fill it. Ramsey is a ball-hawking, rangy free safety who can play in a split or single-high safety look."
As Miller stated, Bryan Cook is a free agent, and the Chiefs need help at the safety position, so Ramsey could make a ton of sense here. Doubling up on defensive players with their first two picks might frustrate Chiefs fans, given the needs the team has on offense, especially with Patrick Mahomes coming off a major injury.
There are still a few months to go until the draft gets here, but adding a pass rusher and a safety to Steve Spagnuolo’s defense would definitely be a major boost. Yes, this team needs help at running back and wide receiver, but those positions could be addressed in the third round and on Day 3.
Hopefully, Brett Veach uses this draft as an opportunity to get this team back to where we know they belong: back in the Super Bowl.