Chiefs mock draft could quietly mark the beginning of a new defensive era

The draft might never be more important in the Patrick Mahomes era than it is right now. The Chiefs are slated to have the 13th overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, a phrase that seemed impossible to type with Patrick Mahomes healthy. The Chiefs are also light on picks next spring, with only six total selections and only three picks on Day 3, none of which come after the fifth round.

With as many shortcomings as the Chiefs have had this season, the large crop of free agents they have, and the lofty amount they are over the 2026 salary cap, this draft looms large for their future.

Round 1, Pick 13- David Bailey, Edge, Texas Tech

It's time this team gets serious about adding a dominant edge rusher to this roster. Instead of an edge-setting bull rusher, the Chiefs have to get a threat who can win off the snap and explode into the backfield. Enter David Bailey.

Listed at 6-3, 250 lbs., Bailey isn’t exactly small, but his game plays closer to the 238 lbs. that Stanford listed him at in 2024 when he played for them. Bailey has 12.5 sacks on the season and 16 tackles for loss. He’s Pro Football Focus’ No. 3 overall edge defender in the country and No. 2 in pass-rush grade. Bailey has a variety of pass-rush tools, including speed, bend, and an array of moves.

Bailey isn’t going to be a difference-maker against the run, but he’s also not unplayable on early downs. The Chiefs already have a Mike Danna–esque player in Ashton Gillotte who can set the edge well on early downs. Maybe the Patrick Mahomes NIL connection to his alma mater can bring the Chiefs a true pass-rush threat.

NFL comparison: Uchenna Nwosu

Round 2, Pick 46- Domonique Orange, IDL, Iowa State

The man they call “Big Citrus” lives up to his large nickname at 6-4, 325 lbs. He is a bull in a china shop against the run with great initial burst off the snap and strength at the point of attack. He’s received All–Big 12 honors in both 2023 and 2024. He’s been credited with 17 “run stops” by Pro Football Focus and is an ideal two-gapper against the run. He’s had one career sack, which shows his limitations as a pass rusher, but his ability to occupy space and bring explosiveness along the interior is why he should hear his name called early on Day 2 of the draft.

Orange is a nice solution to some of the issues the Chiefs have been having along the interior for the last few years. The Chiefs have an exciting combination of young interior players with him and Omarr Norman-Lott. This also allows Norman-Lott to be more of the player he was at Tennessee—a rotational pass rusher from the inside rather than a run stopper. This gives the Chiefs a rotation similar to what the 2024 Eagles had with Jordan Davis and Milton Williams. All of this helps Chris Jones and brings more athleticism to the Chiefs’ pass rush.

NFL Comparison: DaQuan Jones

Round 3, Pick 77- Emmett Johnson, RB, Nebraska

Johnson might be having the best season by a running back who’s not getting recognized. Names like Kewan Lacy, Jeremiyah Love, and Ahmad Hardy are all nominated for the Doak Walker Award over Johnson. With 1,821 all-purpose yards, he leads all backs in college football. He also leads the nation in missed tackles forced and has been a constant threat in the receiving game with 370 yards as part of the Dana Holgorsen air raid offense.

Johnson is shifty with great burst but also surprisingly durable and strong between the tackles. He has a shimmy and shake that makes him seemingly impossible to tackle in the open field. It’s easy to see him being one of the best backs in this class and potentially the steal of a fantasy football draft.

The Chiefs’ running back room needs plenty of help, and Johnson has the profile of an Andy Reid back. He has the speed to access rush lanes in outside zone and the elusiveness to make plays between the tackles. Johnson has been durable this season with a large workload; his skill set would still be complemented well by Kareem Hunt, who continues to be a valuable pass blocker and short-yardage option. Johnson could be the new lead back in Kansas City and still not overlap the skill sets of Hunt or Brashard Smith.

NFL Comparison: Rachaad White

Round 4, Pick 114- Keionte Scott, CB, Miami

Keionte Scott has Steve Spagnuolo written all over him as a 6-0, 195 lb. slot corner who impacts both the passing and running game as a defender. He’s an impact blitzer, too, with three sacks on the season, and he frequently blows up screen passes by shedding blockers. Pro Football Focus’ No. 4 overall corner this season, his 90.2 run-defense grade is the second-best among corners. You can’t watch the Miami defense and not come away impressed by Scott—he pops every week.

It’s unclear what the future holds for Trent McDuffie and Jaylen Watson. The Chiefs have shown over the last two years they value McDuffie on the outside. This makes the Chiefs’ slot defender a plus rather than a liability, like it’s been with Chamarri Conner or Chris Roland-Wallace. If the Chiefs end up moving McDuffie via trade or extending him, Scott fits into the Chiefs’ long-term plans.

NFL Comparison: Kenny Moore II

Round 5, Pick 153- Oscar Delp, TE, Georgia

Oscar Delp has been one of the role players who’s made a difference year over year for Georgia. While he certainly isn’t a game-breaker, his ability to play in line, chip and block, and then get out and find empty spaces in zone has been a big positive. He moves fluidly in space and has been one of the better blocking tight ends in college football over the last few years. He’s never had 300 yards in a season, but that’s not what his game is about. His ability in line increases a team’s ability to play 13 personnel.

At this point, Chiefs fans should be hoping that Travis Kelce is coming back for another season, as he’s been one of the best in the league despite his age. Noah Gray is still under contract for 2026, and the Chiefs also have Jared Wiley from the 2024 draft. The problem is that Robert Tonyan’s blocking has kept Wiley a healthy scratch almost all year. Wiley’s skill set is more similar to Gray and Kelce, and while it stinks to think you’re drafting over Wiley already, most of that is due to Kelce still playing at a high level into his late 30s—a good problem to have.

NFL Comparison: Tyler Conklin

Round 5, Pick 176- Austin Romaine, LB, Kansas State

Austin Romaine is one of a dying breed in college football: a downhill, run-stuffing linebacker. At 6-3, 245 lbs., he packs a punch at the tackle point, and he reads and reacts well to ball carriers, too. He’s been a high football character player for the Cats, playing well on special teams with a relentless motor that never stops. He can be seen shedding blocks against linemen at the line of scrimmage and closing off run lanes downhill. His season was cut short this year in November due to hand surgery.

The Chiefs also have some decisions to make at linebacker with both Leo Chenal and Drue Tranquill. The Chiefs have essentially given Jeff Bassa a redshirt year in 2025. Can Romaine fill the SAM role for Leo Chenal? Can Bassa replace Tranquill as the WILL? We know the Chiefs’ defense is going to build around Nick Bolton no matter how opinions about him vary. So the Chiefs need to get more affordable and athletic at linebacker.

NFL Comparison: Cody Simon