The Kansas City Chiefs will have an opportunity to retool their roster with valuable picks in the 2026 NFL draft, and general manager Brett Veach may be wise to address the team’s defensive needs with his earliest selections.

While it is unclear how the Chiefs’ approach to free agency might affect Veach’s draft strategy, fans should expect Kansas City’s front office to find a game-changer with its first-round pick, which is currently projected to be the No. 10 overall selection.

Take a look at this full seven-round mock draft, which projects that Veach will draft two Ohio State Buckeyes stars in the first three rounds before turning his attention to other needs on Day 3:

Round 1, Pick 10: Ohio State Buckeyes LB Sonny Styles

Styles is the top linebacker in this class and has all the traits scouts look for in an elite defender. A former safety, Styles could develop into an elite ball-hawk in the middle of Steve Spagnuolo’s defense and help Kansas City force more turnovers in 2026 and beyond.

Round 2, Pick 42: Georgia Bulldogs DL Christen Miller

The Chiefs need to make a significant investment in their front-four, but aren’t likely to be able to afford an elite space-eater via trade or in free agency. Enter Miller, who would immediately push for playing time next to Chris Jones as Kansas City’s second-round pick.

Round 3, Pick 74: Ohio State Buckeyes DB Davison Igbinosun

Igbinosun may be among the best players on the board here in Round 3. The Chiefs may want to upgrade a different position with this pick, but adding a defender of Igbinosun’s caliber could do wonders for Kansas City’s secondary next season.

Veach will almost certainly want to select a running back at some point in the 2026 NFL draft, and Singleton would be a perfect candidate as the Chiefs’ first pick on Day 3. His nose for the end zone and impressive speed might be able to take some pressure off of Andy Reid’s passing game.

Round 5, Pick 150: Florida Gators DL Tyreak Sapp

Sapp tallied seven sacks and 13 tackles for loss in his outstanding 2024 campaign at Florida, but he saw his production drop this season. Veach effectively buys the dip here in Round 5 to reinforce the edges of Kansas City’s defensive line.

Round 5, Pick 176: Missouri Tigers WR Kevin Coleman Jr.

Coleman gets to stay close to home and may have an opportunity to become Patrick Mahomes’ new favorite target. He fits the mold of what Veach tends to look for in wide receivers and is a reliable pass-catcher with enough upside to warrant a Day 3 selection.

Round 7, Pick 224: Vanderbilt Commodores QB Diego Pavia

Pavia is an absolute playmaker and one of the more exciting quarterback prospects who may be available this late in the draft, or find himself an undrafted free agent. After Patrick Mahomes’ latest knee injury, the Chiefs would be wise to invest in a capable long-term backup.