Kansas City Chiefs general manager Brett Veach made bold moves to acquire top talent in the first week of free agency, and should have a better idea of which positions he will look to target with his picks in the 2026 NFL Draft.
With two first-round selections to make, Veach will have an enviable flexibility on Day 1 and should be able to tailor his approach to maximize Kansas City’s draft capital.
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In this seven-round Chiefs mock draft, Kansas City targets a star wide receiver with the No. 9 selection before Veach begins targeting defenders:
Round 1, Pick No. 9: Arizona State Sun Devils WR Jordyn Tyson
Nov 28, 2025; Tempe, Arizona, USA; Arizona State Sun Devils wide receiver Jordyn Tyson (0) against the Arizona Wildcats during the 99th Territorial Cup at Mountain America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Tyson is an absolute dynamo — exactly the kind of wide receiver Kansas City needs to rejuvenate its passing game.
Round 1, Pick No. 29: Cincinnati Bearcats LB Jake Golday
Oct 12, 2024; Orlando, Florida, USA; UCF Knights quarterback Jacurri Brown (11) looks to pass in front of Cincinnati Bearcats linebacker Jake Golday (11) during the second half at FBC Mortgage Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Watters-Imagn Images
This pick may be a bit of a reach, but Golday is an exciting linebacker prospect who should have no problem developing into a key difference-maker for Chiefs defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo.
Round 2, Pick No. 40: San Diego State Aztecs DB Chris Johnson
Oct 5, 2024; San Diego, California, USA; San Diego State Aztecs cornerback Chris Johnson (1) warms up before the game against the Hawaii Rainbow Warriors at Snapdragon Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Abe Arredondo-Imagn Images
Kansas City needs to come away from this draft with a starting cornerback, and finds its man in Johnson with the No. 40 selection.
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Nov 8, 2025; Pasadena, California, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers running back Emmett Johnson (21) runs the ball against the UCLA Bruins during the first half at the Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images
Veach picks back-to-back Johnsons on Day 2, this time turning to the Tree Planters State to find a running mate for newly acquired tailback Kenneth Walker III.
Round 4, Pick No. 109: Florida Gators OT Austin Barber
TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA – NOVEMBER 30: Austin Barber #58 of the Florida Gators celebrates after a game against the Florida State Seminoles of a game at Doak Campbell Stadium on November 30, 2024 in Tallahassee, Florida. (Photo by James Gilbert/Getty Images)
In a bid to shore up the Chiefs’ front-five, Veach targets Barber in Round 4 with Kansas City’s first selection on Day 3.
Round 5, Pick No. 148: Notre Dame Fighting Irish TE Eli Raridon
Nov 1, 2025; Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish tight end Eli Raridon (9) gestures after making a first down in the fourth quarter against the Boston College Eagles at Alumni Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Edward Finan-Imagn Images
Raridon isn’t the flashiest tight end prospect in this class, but he has the tools to develop into an interesting pass-catcher for Patrick Mahomes.
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Round 5, Pick No. 169: Michigan Wolverines DL Rayshaun Benny
Michigan defensive lineman Rayshaun Benny (26) tries to block a pass from Ohio State quarterback Will Howard (18) during the second half at Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Ohio on Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024.
Benny should be among the best players available at the position when Kansas City is on the clock with the No. 168 selection.
Round 5, Pick No. 176: Oklahoma Sooners OG Febechi Nwaiwu
FRISCO, TEXAS – JANUARY 27: Febechi Nwaiwu #54 from Oklahoma playing for the West Team attempts to make a block during the fourth quarter against the East Team during the 2026 East-West Shrine Bowl at Ford Center on January 27, 2026 in Frisco, Texas. (Photo by Tim Heitman/Getty Images)
This would be an unexciting but productive pick for the Chiefs. Nwaiwu is far from a perfect prospect, but he may be able to compete for a backup role as a rookie.
Round 6, Pick No. 210: Maryland Terrapins DB Jalen Huskey
Nov 16, 2024; College Park, Maryland, USA; Maryland Terrapins defensive back Jalen Huskey (22) celebrates during the second half against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at SECU Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Kucin Jr.-Imagn Images
Huskey joins Kansas City as the Chiefs’ final pick and gets a chance to compete for snaps in Steve Spagnuolo’s new-look secondary.
This article originally appeared on Chiefs Wire: 2026 NFL Draft: Chiefs take top WR, exciting defenders in latest mock