Chiefs Bolster Defense with Two First-Round Picks in 2026 NFL Mock Draft

Kansas City adds key pieces to secondary and pass rush in seven-round projection

Mar. 31, 2026 at 12:24pm

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A fragmented, cubist-style painting depicting a Kansas City Chiefs football game, with the players and field broken down into sharp, overlapping geometric shapes in the team's signature red, gold, and blue colors, conveying the strategic complexity and high-stakes nature of the team's offseason decisions.The Chiefs' 2026 draft class will be crucial in determining whether the team can quickly rebound from a rare down season and return to Super Bowl contention.Kansas City Today

In a seven-round 2026 NFL mock draft, the Kansas City Chiefs are projected to use their two first-round picks to strengthen their defense, addressing needs in the secondary and pass rush. The Chiefs are coming off a down 2025 season that saw them miss the playoffs for the first time in 10 years, and this draft class is crucial as they look to return to Super Bowl contention.

Why it matters

The Chiefs have been a perennial contender in the AFC, making the playoffs nine straight seasons and winning three Super Bowls. However, their 2025 campaign was a rare stumble, missing the postseason entirely. This draft will be pivotal in determining whether Kansas City can quickly rebound or if they are facing a longer rebuild to get back to championship-caliber form.

The details

With the No. 9 overall pick and the No. 29 overall pick (acquired from the Rams), the Chiefs are projected to use their two first-round selections to bolster their defense. The team has holes to fill in the secondary after trading away Pro Bowl cornerback Trent McDuffie, as well as needs to upgrade their pass rush. The specific players the Chiefs are expected to target in this mock draft are not provided.

  • The 2026 NFL Draft is scheduled for late April.

The players

Patrick Mahomes

The Chiefs' star quarterback, who is recovering from a torn ACL suffered late in the 2025 season.

Travis Kelce

The veteran tight end who the Chiefs were able to retain this offseason.

Kenneth Walker III

The Super Bowl MVP running back who the Chiefs added in free agency.

Trent McDuffie

The Pro Bowl cornerback who the Chiefs traded to the Rams in a blockbuster deal.

Justin Fields

The quarterback the Chiefs traded for as insurance in case Mahomes is not ready for the start of the 2026 season.

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What they’re saying

“Whether it's returning to Super Bowl contention immediately or planting the seeds for the next Kansas City juggernaut, this Chiefs draft class -- currently set to feature nine selections -- is crucial.”

— Zachary Pereles, Author

What’s next

The Chiefs will look to address their defensive needs through the draft, with the goal of quickly returning to championship contention after their rare down season in 2025.

The takeaway

This draft will be pivotal for the Chiefs as they look to reload and get back to their winning ways after a surprising playoff miss in 2025. By using their two first-round picks to strengthen the defense, Kansas City is aiming to quickly return to Super Bowl contention and continue their run as one of the AFC's elite teams.