Chiefs Predicted to Land Top 2026 NFL Draft Prospect at Pick No. 9

Kansas City could target elite Ohio State safety Caleb Downs to bolster their secondary.

Apr. 2, 2026 at 12:04am

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The Kansas City Chiefs are projected to select Ohio State safety Caleb Downs with the 9th overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. Downs is widely regarded as one of the top prospects in the class, with evaluators praising his elite athleticism, physicality, and versatility to impact the game from multiple alignments. The Chiefs' need for secondary help could make Downs an ideal fit for their defense.

Why it matters

The Chiefs rarely pick this high in the draft, so landing a potential game-changing defensive talent like Downs would be a rare opportunity. Pairing Downs with second-year safety Jaden Hicks could dramatically reshape the identity of Kansas City's secondary and provide long-term stability at a key position.

The details

In his latest 2026 NFL Mock Draft, PFSN analyst Jacob Infante projected the Chiefs to select Downs at No. 9 overall, noting that the elite safety prospect is his top-ranked player in the class. Infante highlighted Downs' physical playing style, range, and ability to excel in multiple coverage roles as key factors that make him an ideal fit for the Chiefs' defense under coordinator Steve Spagnuolo.

  • The 2026 NFL Draft is scheduled for April 24-26, 2026.

The players

Caleb Downs

A standout safety from Ohio State University who won the Jim Thorpe Award in 2025 and is widely regarded as one of the top overall prospects in the 2026 NFL Draft class.

Jaden Hicks

A second-year safety for the Kansas City Chiefs who showed promise in his rookie season and could form a young, dynamic safety duo with Caleb Downs if the Chiefs select him.

Steve Spagnuolo

The defensive coordinator for the Kansas City Chiefs, known for his creative defensive schemes and emphasis on versatile defensive backs.

Andy Reid

The head coach of the Kansas City Chiefs, who will be looking to maximize the team's rare top-10 draft position.

Jacob Infante

A PFSN analyst who projected the Chiefs to select Caleb Downs in his latest 2026 NFL Mock Draft.

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What they’re saying

“Realistically, it will be a long time before the Kansas City Chiefs pick this high again. With players like Bain and Delane off the board, they opt for the best defensive player available, regardless of the positional value debate.”

— Jacob Infante, PFSN Analyst

“As of this writing, Caleb Downs is my top overall prospect in the 2026 NFL Draft. The fact that he plays safety makes estimating a draft slot for him in a mock draft difficult, but there's no denying the tools he brings to the table.”

— Jacob Infante, PFSN Analyst

“He's a significant, physical, athletic, intelligent safety with good ball skills in coverage and the fluidity to cover a lot of ground as a two-high or single-high safety. He's the real deal.”

— Jacob Infante, PFSN Analyst

What’s next

The Chiefs will have a chance to evaluate Caleb Downs and other top prospects at the 2026 NFL Combine in late February and early March. The team's decision on whether to select Downs at No. 9 overall will likely come down to how he performs in pre-draft workouts and interviews.

The takeaway

The Chiefs' rare top-10 draft position presents a unique opportunity to add a game-changing defensive talent like Caleb Downs, who could transform their secondary and provide long-term stability at a key position. Pairing Downs with Jaden Hicks could give Kansas City one of the most dynamic young safety duos in the NFL.