How the Chiefs Can Save Their Dynasty in the 2026 NFL Draft

(Reed Hoffmann | Credit: AP)

The Kansas City Chiefs are in unfamiliar territory this offseason. Coming off a 6-11 season and a devastating injury to star QB Patrick Mahomes, things are looking quite bleak for the team that has been to 5 of the last 7 Super Bowls. With the NFL Draft coming, it’s time to look towards how Kansas City can recover from their disaster season and continue their streak of dominance. Luckily, with two first round picks, they are in prime position to do so. This is a step-by-step guide to how the Chiefs should handle this draft.

Step 1: Draft an Elite Pass Rusher

The Chiefs pick at 9 and 29 this year. Having the 9th pick in the draft is not common for this team, and I doubt they plan on being this high again for a long time. Many mock drafts have them selecting the best cornerback in this year’s draft, Mansoor Delane, at 9. I understand the logic, but this is not how the Chiefs generally operate. The Chiefs pride themselves in developing late round corners into capable starters (L’Jarius Sneed and Jaylen Watson, for example). Picking a corner at 9 is not in character for them, especially when they also have the 29th pick in a deep corner draft. Instead, the 9th pick should focus on a player the Chiefs intend to keep for a long time. Someone to lead the future of the Chiefs dynasty for years to come. Chris Jones is getting older, Travis Kelce is likely to retire in a year, and Mahomes is in danger of becoming the only truly elite player on the team. Getting a high-end pass rusher could not only make their defensive line a prominent force once again but could help the defensive backfield as young corners develop. The Chiefs have not had a star edge rusher since Frank Clark, who was only a star come playoff time. Arvell Reese, David Bailey, and Reuben Bain Jr. are the premier prospects in the Chiefs’ biggest position of need. Most people have Reese going 2nd overall, so it is unlikely the Chiefs will have a shot at drafting him. Bailey is interesting, as he is far more of a pure sacker than Bain, who has some concern with his short arm length. Still, he is an insane athlete and can play all over the defensive line. Bailey is more likely to be a double-digit sack player, getting 14.5 sacks in 2025 compared to Bain's 9.5. Both of these players would be an ideal pick for the Chiefs to start the draft.

Step 2: Replace Trent McDuffie and Draft a Lot of Corners.

At 29, the answer is quite simple: Draft the best cornerback available. The Chiefs traded star CB Trent McDuffie to the Rams earlier this offseason, so it is only fitting to use the pick they got from him for his replacement. Colton Hood, Brandon Cisse, and Aveion Terrell are all realistic options. Hood has some injury concerns but seems to be a great fit for Spagnuolo’s man-centric defensive scheme. If the Chiefs take a corner in the 20s instead of at 9, they won't feel as bad when they inevitably trade him after a few seasons. This strategy has worked so far, and I doubt the Chiefs move off from this tactic. I am optimistic about young CB Nohl Williams who had some good moments in 2025, but ensuring the youth and future of the CB room should be the top priority with not only the 29th pick in the draft, but other picks throughout the draft. 2022 saw Kansas City draft 5 defensive backs, which helped them win the next 2 Super Bowls. A similar strategy should be implemented this year. The Chiefs have 9 picks in this year’s draft, so don’t be surprised if 4 of those are corners and safeties.

Step 3: Figure Out the Wide Receiver Room

The Chiefs have never had a normal wide receiver room, but it seems to be a bit of a mess right now. Rashee Rice has been an off-the-field issue for a while now, and even though he is not being suspended, it feels like it’s only a matter of time before something else happens. Xavier Worthy had a disappointing 2025 and is beginning to show signs of concern over his frame and availability. Both players couldn’t stay healthy either, making the most successful Chiefs receiver as of late to be Tyquan Thornton. Rice and Worthy are both talented players on paper, and if they figure it out the Chiefs receiving core will not be an issue at all. Unfortunately, they haven’t figured it out. Because of this, I doubt the Chiefs will go the entire draft without drafting a receiver. Carnell Tate feels like a pipe dream (not that I would advise that pick anyways), but drafting a receiver in the 2nd or 3rd round would be a smart move for the Chiefs as insurance. The Chiefs drafted Jalen Royals in the middle of last year’s draft, but despite fan optimism about him, it is hard to say if he will even make the roster at this point. Maybe in a year none of this will be an issue, but for now I recommend the Chiefs do something about the receiving core on Day 2 of the draft (and ideally that isn’t signing Tyreek Hill).

Step 4: Hope That Jaylon Moore is Decent

I’ve talked a lot about first round options for the Chiefs already, but there’s one position that I don’t view as a good idea: Right Tackle. The Chiefs used their first pick last year on left tackle Josh Simmons, who has had good early returns and looks to be a franchise player. The entire interior line is secure, with Kingsley Suamataia filling in at left guard and doing a fine job. Right tackle is the only position the Chiefs don’t have a sure starter at, yet I don’t feel like it is as pressing of a need as the other holes on their roster. With Mahomes’ injury and the strong need for a run game this year, it may sound risky to let the right tackle position be ignored this offseason. However, the thing about the NFL offseason is that you will not be able to perfectly fill every hole on the roster. Many of the first-round tackles are projected to move to guard anyways, which the Chiefs don’t even need. Fans of the Chiefs should not be disappointed if they draft Francis Mauigoa, but part of me believes this would be a missed opportunity when they really need a defensive playmaker. Jaylon Moore is not bad at football, and Chiefs fans are going to have to trust him this season. But if all goes poorly, Esa Pole did not look too bad when he played late in the 2025 season. I could see a tackle being selected in the later rounds (although this tackle class is a bit top-heavy), but I would probably wait until next offseason to find the Chiefs’ franchise right tackle. 

Step 5: Assume Mahomes Struggles

A major reason the Chiefs went 6-11 is because Mahomes missed the last three games with an ACL tear. What we saw afterwards was a disgrace to the word “offense”. Viewers witnessed what the Chiefs truly are without Mahomes under center: The worst team in the NFL. Granted, they weren't very good before Mahomes tore his ACL. That injury took a Chiefs team that was likely headed for an 8-9 record to a team with a top 10 pick in the draft. Luckily, Brett Veach watched those games too, so he knows what is at stake this year. Because of this, the most important step to this draft is assuming the team will have to win games without Mahomes being Superman. Mahomes and his people all believe he can be ready by week 1. If that is the case, expect him to not be himself for about a month or two. ACL tears are hard to return from, especially this quickly. Veach already made a move to help Mahomes by signing Kenneth Walker, who should assuredly make the Chiefs run game an actual threat. This will also take pressure away from Mahomes as he slowly recovers. In fact, a strong run game could help with all facets of the Chiefs’ offense, including the receivers. Pundits and sports media people have been clamoring for the Chiefs to return to the high-flying offensive days. As much fun as it would be to return to the 2018-2022 era of Chiefs offense, Mahomes’ injury changes things. It may be more important to have a strong defense now more than ever. The Chiefs’ defense has been a top squad for a few years now, but many of the key players left in free agency. Drafting heavily on defense would be the ideal way to quickly rebuild the defense to put less pressure on Mahomes to score every drive.

As the NFL draft inches closer, the more curious I am about what the Chiefs are going to do. I feel strongly that they focus heavily on defense, not only to put stars on the team, but to add depth to their thinner positions. I am extremely confident in saying Brett Veach knows exactly who he wants and will do whatever it takes to get him. This is the most important draft of the Patrick Mahomes era, and it may be the most important draft in the history of the Kansas City Chiefs.

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