Price's Picks: 10 biggest draft crushes for the Chiefs in 2026 NFL Draft

I'm not sure what the cost ultimately will be on me for writing 100 scouting reports this NFL Draft cycle. I estimate (roughly) that each scouting report took me 3 hours to write (including tape cut-ups and writing). Each article is approximately 700 words long, which means I've written about 70,000 words on this draft class and spent over 12 days worth of total time investing in Arrowhead Addict's 100 Prospects in 100 Days. Good news: my marriage is still holding on, and it's only cost me a few pounds' worth of Nerds Gummy Clusters and a bad late-night coffee habit.

That's all just a fancy way to say I've been watching tape on guys since the Christmas tree was up. So to move me, to be a player that I keep coming back to, they need to be special. Price's Picks has been a yearly tradition for me, where I pick 10 players that I'd "stand on the table for." These guys are the crumpled-up sticky note in my pocket on draft day.

Some of these players will be first-round picks; some of them might go on Day 3. I love all my children equally here, and part of that love is relative to their draft stock. I'm not going to say these 10 guys are going to be All-Pros or stars, but I am saying that I love their tape. After gallons of coffee and too many handfuls of candy, these are the 10 guys who made me chuckle in my office at 11 p.m. the most.

1. Lee Hunter, IDL, Texas Tech

Lee Hunter, nicknamed "the Fridge," might lead this draft class in "grown-man" reps. The amount of time he wrecks a play as a true nose tackle is incredible. His performance in the College Football Playoff game against Oregon essentially wrecked their offense in the first half. Physically, he's not ultra-gifted, but he's just country-strong. He's more than just a run stuffer, though. His 10.6 pass rush win rate ranks second in the class, only behind Georgia's Christen Miller.

Loving players for me isn't always just about tape, either. Lee Hunter has been described as a class-act guy. His interviews were excellent at the combine. He's a dad and a native of Mobile, Alabama, who achieved his life goal of playing in the Senior Bowl this year.

Shades of: DJ Reader

2. Emmett Johnson, RB, Nebraska

You didn't think you were getting out of here without at least one Husker, right? With Emmett Johnson, it's more than just the team he plays for, though. He's one of the most productive backs in this class and has some of the best passing-game work too. Johnson is the only FBS player to average more than 150 scrimmage yards per game. He led the Big Ten with 1,451 rushing yards and became the first running back in Nebraska history to record 100-plus yards both rushing and receiving in the same game.

Detractors of Johnson will point to his combine performance, which was average. However, he was one of very few athletes at the combine to do every test. Also, running back testing is one of the positions where it's not a disqualifier. Kyren Williams, Bucky Irving, and Cam Skattebo all turned in equal or lesser testing numbers and have been viable NFL backs.

Emmett Johnson is an ideal part-time back but could even take a starting job in the league. His shifty cuts, vision, and tackle-breaking (he led the FBS in missed tackles forced) make him dangerous. Johnson will be a productive NFL back. I feel confident about that.

Shades of: Travis Etienne

3. Gabe Jacas, EDGE, Illinois

After covering the draft year-round, I grow tired of Chiefs fans' demands for a quick and twitchy pass rusher. The Chiefs have a track record that isn't great with that body type, but Gabe Jacas might be the best of both worlds. He played edge in a 3-4 defense despite being 6-3 and 260 lbs. He is violent and physical at the point of attack and was asked to do quite a bit against the run, even as a stand-up rusher. Jacas is a two-time state champion wrestler and uses his hands very well.

I love him because he does still win with speed and would likely be the Chiefs' snappiest edge rusher but still brings an element of power to the table to play on all three downs. The motor never stops. He never missed a game in his college career, and his teammates describe him as a workaholic. He forced seven fumbles in his college career as well. Jacas brings a certain "eff you" energy to the edge position the Chiefs definitely need.

Shades of: Tuli Tuipulotu

4. Makai Lemon, WR, USC

Pocket-sized Puka, Amon-Ra St. Brown, discount JSN—it doesn't matter what the comp is for Makai Lemon; they are all dawgs. Lemon is such a fun player to watch on tape because you hear about his lack of size and overall top speed, but it seriously never crosses your mind on tape. He's a polished route runner that catches everything that comes his way. He seemingly always gets the extra yardage needed after the catch and still is highly competitive as a blocker.

Doubters of Lemon will bring up his size and that he might be a slot-only wide receiver. Those doubters need to remember similar things were said about Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Emeka Egbuka, and Amon-Ra St. Brown, and now all those guys are stars. Lemon is the highest-level fit for the Chiefs' West Coast offense, and he brings the Chiefs instant Rashee Rice insurance and replacement.

Shades of: Amon-Ra St. Brown

5. Keionte Scott, CB, Miami

You know a player is going to be a draft crush when they pop on the game broadcast before you ever turn on the tape. My love for Keionte Scott started even before the College Football Playoff, but only grew as he made play after play down the stretch. He's going to be 25 in his rookie season. He's really only put together one solid season as a starter. Do I care? No. This guy is going to do a few things, but he's going to do them at a high level.

Scott is a heat-seeking missile in the run game and crashes downhill in the flats on swings and screens. He had 5 sacks, 2 forced fumbles, 2 interceptions, and 7 passes defended. He will likely be limited to a nickel or box safety role, but those players are more important than ever. Steve Spagnuolo will fall in love with this guy just like me.

Shades of: Alontae Taylor

6. Eli Raridon, TE, Notre Dame

One of my favorite things about watching tape are the "hey, who's this guy?" moments I get when watching players. For me, Raridon popped while watching Jadarian Price and Jeremiyah Love. Once I found out he was a draftable prospect, I dug in and loved what I saw. The reputation of Notre Dame tight ends is high in the league. Raridon is a real tight end who is asked to do a lot in the run game but has special tools too. At 6-6, 245 lbs., he posted a 9.45 relative athletic score.

Raridon moves differently from most tight ends in this class. He lived over the middle of the field and showed quite a bit down the field too. There are some medical questions (torn ACL twice in the same knee), and he's not a super-developed route runner, but Raridon is a classic Y-TE that could be the Chiefs' best blocker today and has traits to be a plus receiver.

Shades of: Theo Johnson

7. Rueben Bain Jr., Edge, Miami

Rueben Bain Jr. at No. 9 is the dream. It's been the dream since Mahomes went down with his ACL injury. He's got stats galore to prove his effectiveness, but even that doesn't truly measure his impact on the field. His ability to move all across the formation while playing 90% of the snaps for a Miami defense that powered them to the national championship is huge. He's an instant-impact player who plays with such power and violence, and he's an instant fit for the Chiefs' defense.

Yes, I know his arms are short. I've only read that comment 50,000 times this draft cycle. The point is he dominated outside and inside with short arms all year, even against tackles with long arms. He has such a high floor with his power, first step, and pass rush moves that it's just not an issue. Bain might not be Myles Garrett or Will Anderson, but I feel very confident he will be a very good player. That's hard to pass on at No. 9.

Shades of: Brandon Graham

8. Bryce Lance, WR, North Dakota State

It's just hard to find players with the size and explosiveness of Bryce Lance, especially on Day 2 of the NFL Draft. He's a natural hands-catcher who requires route polish but adjusts well to the ball with physicality and body control as a natural X receiver. But he also has the long speed to take a jet sweep to the house. Brother of former No. 2 overall pick Trey Lance, he's got NFL bloodlines. He was a team captain and great as a punt gunner and kick returner as well.

Lance checks a couple of boxes for the Chiefs and myself. He has size (6-3, 204 lbs.) and speed (4.34 40-yard dash). He also might need some refinement, which, with the Chiefs' projected wide receiver room, isn't a huge issue. The Chiefs really liked Christian Watson a few years back, and that comparison goes beyond the helmet.

Shades of: Christian Watson

9. Blake Miller, OT, Clemson

Miller is my favorite "if the Chiefs are going to take a tackle" guy in this draft. It starts with him being a natural and experienced right tackle. With 54 career starts in college and voted team captain, Miller is praised for his leadership (All-ACC Academic Team) and toughness (played through a broken wrist). He's got really smooth and quick feet and is best in pass protection—a high-level fit for the Chiefs' offense.

Miller has nice long arms (34 1/4") and a great frame to complement his skill set (6-6, 317 lbs.). This is what a Chiefs tackle looks like, and he just feels like a great fit for what the Chiefs need at right tackle. Esa Pole becomes the backup left tackle (where he played his whole career), and Jaylon Moore and Miller battle for RT in camp.

Shades of: Roger Rosengarten

10. Colton Hood, CB, Tennessee

The Chiefs are suckers for long, physical press corners that tackle, and so am I. Hood really took over the top CB role when Jermod McCoy went down, and he shined with that opportunity. Hood got to play with Travis Hunter in 2024 and has 17 passes defended in his last two seasons played. He's got impressive long speed and brings the fight to receivers. He's one of the best tackling corners in the class.

There's some questions for him to answer after playing at three schools in three years. He has also only started 13 career games. However, what he has put on tape is very good, and he's a high-level fit for the Chiefs' defense and needs.

Shades of: Kamari Lassiter