Kansas City Chiefs HC Andy Reid and DC Steve Spagnuolo
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TEMPE, ARIZONA - FEBRUARY 09: (L-R) Defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo talks with head coach Andy Reid in a practice session prior to Super Bowl LVII at Arizona State University Practice Facility on February 09, 2023 in Tempe, Arizona. The Kansas City Chiefs play the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LVII on February 12, 2023 at State Farm Stadium. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
The 2026 NFL Draft will be crucial to the Kansas City Chiefs‘ future success.
They have several holes to fill at multiple positions throughout their roster. The Chiefs have nine picks to address those needs with, including four in the top 100.
ESPN’s Matt Miller, who is one of the best draft analysts around, released a full seven-round mock draft on Monday.
Kansas City Chiefs Go Heavy on Defense With First 4 Picks in Latest Matt Miller Mock Draft
Rueben Bain
GettyMiami pass rusher Rueben Bain Jr. sacks Florida State QB Thomas Castellanos.
With the Chiefs’ No. 9 overall selection, Miller has them taking Miami Hurricanes pass rusher Rueben Bain Jr.
“The Chiefs are used to contending for Super Bowls, but they have a lot of needs at premium positions. The pass rush struggled, with only 35 sacks last season (tied 22nd in the NFL), and Kansas City has done little to upgrade the outside pass rush this offseason. Bain would immediately start opposite George Karlaftis and has the inside/outside alignment versatility that Steve Spagnuolo has typically preferred. With 71 pressures and 9.5 sacks in 2025, Bain has the strength, speed and production to make teams overlook his sub-standard 30⅞-inch arm length. The Chiefs don’t normally get a chance to pick this high, so this is a rare opportunity to grab a blue-chip prospect at a high-value position.”
Bain has been mocked to the Chiefs quite a bit over the the past few months, and it is a very real possibility he ends up in Kansas City. Next, Miller has Clemson cornerback Avieon Terrell going to the Chiefs at No. 29.
“The Chiefs have a history of drafting and developing cornerbacks, just to watch them leave. This offseason, Trent McDuffie and Jaylen Watson departed for the Rams via trade and free agency, respectively. The McDuffie deal got Kansas City this pick, which it could use on Terrell. The younger brother of Falcons‘ cornerback A.J. Terrell Jr. is similar to McDuffie in his ability to play inside or outside. Avieon Terrell had three interceptions at Clemson while allowing only 4.4 yards per attempt when targeted by opposing quarterbacks.”
Following the free agent addition of Kader Kohou, Terrell would round out the Chiefs’ cornerback group nicely. In the second round, the Chiefs addressed a need on the offensive side of the ball, selecting Alabama wide receiver Germie Bernard at No. 40.
“Rashee Rice’s future is in question after another off-field incident, and Xavier Worthy has yet to emerge as a WR1. Bernard would, at minimum, be a capable WR3 and replace the targets departed free agents Hollywood Brown and JuJu Smith-Schuster received, with the upside to grow into a frontline starter in the slot. His yards-after-catch ability and versatility to play across the formation — even at tailback — should appeal to Andy Reid’s creativity.”
While Kansas City definitely needs bodies at the wide receiver position, taking Bernard doesn’t solve its need for a true No. 1 wide receiver. The Chiefs went back to defense with their 74th pick, selecting Iowa State defensive tackle Domonique Orange.
“The Chiefs signed 30-year-old Khyiris Tonga to work alongside 32-year-old Chris Jones, meaning youth is needed. Orange is a solid nose tackle at 6-foot-2 and 322 pounds, and he can be an anchor in the middle of the line and provide push on third downs.”
Pairing Orange with Jones, Tonga, and Omarr Norman-Lott would give Kansas City a much better defensive tackle group than what it had last season. Combined with the earlier selection of Baine, the Chiefs would have a significantly improved pass rush.
Chiefs Address Low-Key Needs in Late Rounds
NFL draft prospect TE Oscar Delp
GettyGeorgia TE Oscar Delp
Here is how Miller has the rest of the Chiefs’ draft class rounding out:
Pick 109: Georgia TE Oscar Delp
Pick 148: Boston College OT Jude Bowry
Pick 169: UNC CB Marcus Allen
Pick 176: Ohio State S Lorenzo Styles Jr.
Pick 210: South Carolina RB Rashul Faison
Delp would be an intriguing developmental player under the tutelage of Travis Kelce, possessing good size and athletic upside. Bowry could be in the mix with Jaylon Moore and Esa Pole for the Chiefs’ starting right tackle job right off the bat as a rookie.
Allen has ideal size for a cornerback and could instantly be a special teams contributor. Styles, the younger brother of projected first-round pick linebacker Sonny Styles, is one of the most athletic players in the draft and would also be utilized on special teams right away. Faison is a polished prospect at 26 years old who would fit well in the Chiefs’ zone rushing scheme.