March 7, 2026, 9:31 a.m. CT
With free agency just days away, Kansas City Chiefs general manager Brett Veach has already proven that he will adopt a bold strategy to improve his roster during the 2026 offseason.
Earlier this week, Veach elected to trade veteran defensive back Trent McDuffie to the Los Angeles Rams to gain an extra first-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, among other compensation. With the legal tampering period on the horizon, Kansas City’s front office will soon know exactly what its needs will be when the Chiefs make their first selection with the No. 9 pick.
Take a look at this full seven-round Chiefs mock draft, which projects that Veach will look to replace McDuffie before addressing Kansas City’s other needs on Day 2 and 3:
Round 1, Pick No. 9: LSU Tigers DB Mansoor Delane
Delane is likely to be the first cornerback off the board, and falls far enough for Kansas City to select him with the first of its two picks on Day 1. By picking McDuffie’s replacement early, Veach frees himself up for more bold moves later in the draft.
Expert NFL picks: Exclusive betting insights only at USA TODAY.Round 1, Pick No. 29: Ohio State Buckeyes DT Kayden McDonald
The Chiefs beef up their defensive line with this selection, which helps cement Kansas City’s commitment to stopping the run next season.
Round 2, Pick No. 40: Louisville Cardinals WR Chris Bell
Were it not for a knee injury that prematurely ended his 2025 campaign, Bell may have been a first-round pick. Veach picks him up here with the No. 40 selection as the final addition to the Chiefs’ receiving corps.
Round 3, Pick No. 74: Missouri Tigers LB Josiah Trotter
Kansas City’s front office shifts its focus back to Steve Spagnuolo’s defense in Round 3 by picking up Trotter, who joins Nick Bolton in the Mizzou-to-Chiefs linebacker pipeline.
Round 4, Pick No. 109: Washington Huskies RB Jonah Coleman
It is too soon to tell if Kansas City will pick up a new running back in free agency, but regardless of the Chiefs’ pre-draft investments in the position, Coleman would be an excellent value here at the beginning of Day 3.
Round 5, Pick 147: Western Michigan Broncos EDGE Nadame Tucker
Tucker is a developmental pass rusher who could force his way onto Kansas City’s 53-man roster as a rookie if he shows signs of growth through the Chiefs’ offseason program.
Round 5, Pick No. 168: Kansas State Wildcats DB V.J. Payne
Chiefs fans in Manhattan, Kansas, will love to see Payne fight for a chance to earn playing time in Steve Spagnuolo’s new-look secondary next season.
Round 5, Pick No. 177: Notre Dame Fighting Irish OL Aamil Wagner
Wagner could be one of the top offensive linemen available here in Round 5, and heads to Kansas City with an opportunity to fight for a second or third-string spot on the Chiefs’ depth chart.
Round 6, Pick No. 210: Ole Miss Rebels TE Dae’Quan Wright
Veach uses his final pick on Wright to give Patrick Mahomes an exciting new tight end to target during training camp and the preseason.