Mock draft season is going to last a bit longer for the Kansas City Chiefs in 2026.

With the lack of any postseason activity awaiting the Chiefs this winter, there are several more weeks for fans to turn their attention to this year’s draft class, with an even greater level of hope for instant impact for a fresh crop of rookie players.

Following a season in which the Chiefs watched their consecutive postseason streak end at 11 years, head coach Andy Reid has a lot to figure out going forward. Roster concerns abound, and a season-ending injury for Patrick Mahomes only further complicates the picture and plan.

What does that mean for mock drafts, then? Who are the prospects being linked to the Chiefs with their first-round pick? A new survey of mock drafts shows the players who could be in view for Kansas City.

Keldric Faulk, EDGE, Auburn (Pro Football Network)

Many Chiefs fans would be thrilled with the idea of a blue-chip, first-round grab along the defensive line. After hearing the Chiefs’ pass rush described as “Chris Jones and company” for the last half-decade or more, K.C. can ill afford to not make the pass rush a significant focus in this year’s draft.

Keldrick Faulk had 7 sacks and 11 tackles for loss last season for the Tigers. He’s a premium run defender, but with only 2 sacks this season, the lack of proven productivity off the edge would definitely be a risk of the dice.

Ashton Gillotte and Omarr Norman-Lott were imported in last year’s draft, which provides a solid foundation going into 2026, but the Chiefs need a guy who can win off the edge with such a rare premium pick.

Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame (CBS)

Speaking of pleasing Chiefs fans, plenty of fans in the Kingdom would love nothing more than to see Jeremiyah Love’s name on the draft card submitted in the first round.

Love is the unquestioned top player at his position in the draft as an uber-productive back at Notre Dame who can be a dynamic weapon out of the backfield from Week 1 at the next level. The question, then, is not about Love as a player but the positional value of going running back in the first round.

The Chiefs have the league’s least inspiring backfield as it is, and the slate is being wiped clean by free agency in 2026, with only Brashard Smith set to return. Love would certainly answer the problem, but is it a problem that requires a first-round solution?

Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon (USA Today)

The idea of Kenyon Sadiq feels very similar to Jeremiyah Love here.

Sadiq is the top tight end available in the 2026 draft class, and the Chiefs are likely going to have a major need at the position if Travis Kelce decides against returning for another season. That sounds like a match made in first-round heaven. But for a team that could definitely use an offensive tackle, defensive tackle, defensive end, or other such harder-to-draft positions, it might be hard to use that early first-round choice on a tight end.

So far this season, Sadiq has 42 catches for 509 receiving yards and 8 touchdowns. Such a sure-handed weapon and end zone target would be a most welcome sight for Patrick Mahomes in 2026 and beyond.