Chiefs' Draft Plans Remain Closely Guarded Secret

ESPN reports that no one knows what Kansas City will do with their two first-round picks.

Apr. 10, 2026 at 12:18am

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A cubist, geometric illustration depicting a Kansas City Chiefs football player in action, with the player's form broken down into sharp, overlapping planes of red, gold, and black colors.The Chiefs' secretive approach to the 2026 NFL Draft leaves the rest of the league guessing about their plans for their two first-round picks.Kansas City Today

As the NFL Draft approaches, the Kansas City Chiefs are keeping their plans for the No. 9 overall pick tightly under wraps, according to ESPN's Matt Miller. With needs at several key positions, the Chiefs could go in various directions, but they are not tipping their hand to anyone, leaving analysts and fans to simply guess at their strategy.

Why it matters

The Chiefs hold two first-round picks in this year's draft, giving them flexibility to address multiple roster needs. However, their secretive approach has left the rest of the league guessing about their intentions, adding an extra layer of intrigue and uncertainty to the upcoming draft.

The details

ESPN's Matt Miller reported that in talking to sources both within the Chiefs organization and around the league, there are no strong indications of where Kansas City will go with either of their first-round selections. The team has needs at key positions like offensive tackle, wide receiver, edge rusher, defensive tackle and cornerback, with Tennessee cornerback Jermod McCoy being a potential target if he's available at No. 9.

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

The players

Andy Reid

The head coach of the Kansas City Chiefs.

Brett Veach

The general manager of the Kansas City Chiefs.

Matt Miller

An ESPN analyst who has reported on the Chiefs' draft plans.

Jermod McCoy

A cornerback prospect from the University of Tennessee who could be a target for the Chiefs.

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What they’re saying

“In talking to sources both in Kansas City and around the league, there seems to be no strong indicator of where the Chiefs will go with either of their first-round picks.”

— Matt Miller, ESPN Analyst

What’s next

The 2026 NFL Draft will take place from April 24-26, where the Chiefs will look to address their roster needs with their two first-round selections.

The takeaway

The Chiefs' secretive approach to the upcoming draft has left the rest of the league guessing about their plans, adding an extra layer of intrigue and uncertainty as teams prepare for the annual selection process. With multiple needs to address, Kansas City's strategy will be closely watched as they look to reload their roster through the draft.