Andy Reid head coach Kansas City Chiefs
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KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI - DECEMBER 14: Head coach Andy Reid of the Kansas City Chiefs watches warm-ups prior to the game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Arrowhead Stadium on December 14, 2025 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
The Kansas City Chiefs still have some roster holes to fill as we near the 2026 NFL Draft.
Multiple players who have made several starts for the Chiefs over the past few years left for different teams during free agency. Kansas City has signed some new faces to replace them, but still have some work to do.
Among the Chiefs’ top remaining needs are at wide receiver, defensive line, and cornerback. Positions such as safety, linebacker, and offensive line could use some strengthening as well. However, what outsiders perceive not always lines up with what teams believe.
Andy Reid Is Confident Kansas City Chiefs Can Rebuild the Cornerback Position
Chiefs CB Nohl Williams
GettyChiefs CB Nohl Williams
The Chiefs’ head coach recently spoke to NFL.com’s Judy Battista, and stated that he isn’t as worried about the cornerback group as others may be.
“I’ve been in positions as a head coach where we’ve replenished the secondary,” Reid said. “At Green Bay (Packers), we replenished in the secondary. I’ve been through that and seen it be productive. Do you want to lose a (Trent) McDuffie? No, but that’s today’s football. That’s how this thing works today. So, you’ve got to stay flexible, and then you’ve got to put yourself in a position where you can replenish that. We drafted a good kid (Nohl Williams) last year, so I know we’ll continue to work through that this year. I’m really not worried about it. I look forward to seeing who these people are that come in.”
One of the reasons Reid isn’t worried about the turnover at cornerback is likely because of how well defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo has developed players at the position over the years. The Chiefs have parted ways with a lot of big name corners during Reid and Spagnuolo’s tenures in Kansas City, only to replace them with others who become as good or better.
As Reid mentioned, Nohl Williams is a great place to start after the promise he showed as a rookie in 2025. Also in the mix is veteran Kristian Fulton, who got off to a rough start last year due to injuries. However, when he got fully healthy and received significant snaps during the last few games of the season, he played well. The Chiefs also recently signed nickel corner Kader Kohou.
How Will Chiefs Use Their Early-Round Draft Picks?
Kansas City Chiefs GM Brett Veach
GettyChiefs GM Brett Veach
Kansas City has four selections in the top 100 picks of the draft, including two during the first round. Many expect the Chiefs to take at least one cornerback with their early picks, but given how deep the position is considered to be in this year’s class combined with Reid’s comments, they could wait until the middle rounds.
Wide receiver and pass rusher seem to be the consensus positions that Kansas City will address early on, potentially even double-dipping at one or both. There has also been a lot of smoke around the possibility of the Chiefs taking an offensive tackle to pair opposite of Josh Simmons. Regardless of what direction they go, the Chiefs have set themselves up nicely to draft the best player available when they hit the clock.