The Kansas City Chiefs are sitting in an enviable position in the 2026 NFL draft.
The team boasts two first-round picks — No. 9 and 29 overall — and its primed to build a better supporting cast around quarterback Patrick Mahomes.
There are a number of directions Kansas City could go — wide receiver, offensive tackle, pass-rusher, defensive back — but according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, the Chiefs might be priming themselves to make a big trade up in a draft day deal that could shake up in the first round.
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“The Chiefs have visited with a couple really good pass-rushers who should go earlier than they pick, which means, at least they’re looking at the potential of moving up in the draft an taking an edge-rusher who could be potentially elite,” Rapoport stated.
“Remember, the last time they moved a really good player for a first-round pick and more, which was Tyreek Hill, they completely retooled their defense. But this is what the Chiefs do — they have the opportunity to take these draft picks and say, ‘We are going to make the entire team better while giving up one good player to do it.’”
The Chiefs were one of the worst teams in the NFL last season at getting to the quarterback, finishing tied for the seventh-fewest sacks (35).
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Defensive tackle Chris Jones led the team with seven sacks, followed by George Karlaftis with six. They were the only two players on the team to record more than 3.5 sacks.
There are several edge-rushers with a first-round grade including Miami’s Akheem Mesidor, Auburn’s Keldric Faulk, Clemson’s T.J. Parker, Texas A&M’s Cashius Howell, and Missouri’s Zion Young, but there are two pass-rushers considered elite by most draft scouts.
Texas Tech’s David Bailey and Miami’s Rueben Bain are in a class of their own, and both could go in the top five. If Rapoport’s report is true, it’s likely the Chiefs are targeting one of them.