The NFL Draft is one of the most anticipated events on the football calendar, especially for those of us who root for teams with top-10 picks. Kansas City Chiefs fans are living in that world for the first time since 2013.
We spend — or waste — countless hours on mock drafts, trying to figure out which rumors are real, which nuggets we can believe from Chiefs press conferences and social media posts. Then, after all the buildup of the event itself, we find that we had some idea of the positions the Chiefs would address, but might be surprised by the names and the picks used.
While the “Market Movers” series is typically focused on current Chiefs and how they are trending within our internal rankings, it feels appropriate to mix in a couple of prospects to each category. Just for fun, we’ll end this piece with a bonus mock draft.
Here are some names to keep in mind this weekend:
PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA – NOVEMBER 29, 2025: Rueben Bain Jr. #4 of the Miami Hurricanes rushes the line of scrimmage during the first half against the Pittsburgh Panthers at Acrisure Stadium on November 29, 2025 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Chris Bernacchi/Diamond Images via Getty Images) Diamond Images/Getty Images
Reuben Bain Jr., DE, Miami: The Chiefs have long been linked to Bain, one of the top pass rushers at one of the highest-value positions that happens to be a huge need for the team. It’s entirely possible that the “trade up” rumors for David Bailey and Arvell Reese (along with the talk of taking offensive tackle with the ninth pick) were a deliberate smokescreen to disguise the Chiefs’ real interest in Bain.
Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State: No NFL prospect had a better final couple of weeks if you read draft media. Tyson has some elite traits and tape; some compare him to Cincinnati Bengals wideout Ja’Marr Chase. I see more Odell Beckham, Jr.
Either way, teams seem to absolutely love Tyson; he could be the first receiver off the board before the Chiefs even pick.
Defensive tackle Chris Jones: Could this be the year the Chiefs finally have a legitimate collection of defensive linemen around the future Hall of Famer?
They already invested at nose tackle (for the first time since 2012 first-round pick Dontari Poe) by adding Khyiris Tonga in free agency. The team expects Omarr Norman-Lott and Ashton Gillotte to continue their trajectories as part of the rotation.
We’ll see what happens in the draft, but if Kansas City ends up with Bain or another top pass rusher, the double-teams should dramatically drop in number for Jones, opening a path to return to double-digit sack production.
If the Chiefs go on to add another guy after the draft (like former New Orleans Saints defensive end Cam Jordan), they may have the best rotation on the defensive front since Houston/Hali/Ford.
Running back Kenneth Walker: This isn’t a strong draft class for running backs who didn’t go to Notre Dame.
The Chiefs made Walker the cornerstone of the offseason thus far, and haven’t brought in much competition for him. Head coach Andy Reid and general manager Brett Veach have both talked about building a dominant running game behind (arguably) the best interior offensive line in football.
Everyone agrees that some additional run game balance will help quarterback Patrick Mahomes as he returns to the field. All of these signs point toward a big year for Walker. The Chiefs could still draft a running back, but it likely won’t be a starting-level guy, and it likely won’t be on Day 1 or 2. Go get Walker on your fantasy football teams, folks.
LAWRENCE, KS – NOVEMBER 28: Utah Utes offensive lineman Spencer Fano (55) celebrates a touchdown late in the fourth quarter of a Big 12 football game between the Utah Utes and Kansas Jayhawks on November 28, 2025 at David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium in Lawrence, KS. (Photo by Scott Winters/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU: He’s a great prospect, and should have a productive career— but it’s hard to see it being in Kansas City.
It feels a bit lazy from the national draft media to just match the Chiefs with the top cornerback after trading away All-Pro Trent McDuffie. As has been covered a lot, the combination of Veach’s scouts and Reid’s coaches has been borderline spectacular about developing cornerbacks picked in the middle or later rounds. Why use the (hopefully) only top-10 pick of the Mahomes era on a position the organization has such a strong reputation for getting the most out of?
Spencer Fano, OT, Utah: I can’t imagine a scenario where the Chiefs make this pick at No. 9 and feel good about it. Sure, the team needs offensive line help (or, more accurately, depth), but a shorter-armed prospect that would be much better in a zone blocking scheme? I’d be more upset than when the team drafted George Karlaftis in 2022… but maybe that should tell us the pick of Fano could work out just as well, so who knows?
Wide receiver Jalen Royals: A promising draft pick from 2025 didn’t see the field much, and still might not get his chance in his second year. Based on the projected contract values, positional value, need, and the two first-round picks, there’s a very good chance the Chiefs draft a wide receiver on Thursday night.
With Xavier Worthy, Travis Kelce, Tyquan Thornton, and Rashee Rice locked in for 2026, and rumors of Tyreek Hill’s potential reunion, the opportunity for the Royals to be featured in this offense would be hindered by a pick on Day 1 or 2 of the draft.
Offensive tackles Josh Simmons and Jaylon Moore: The persistent rumors about the Chiefs’ interest in an offensive tackle could mean that one of the first-round picks could be used to replace one of these guys.
It could also mean that there is significant concern about one or both projected starting tackles across the league — whether warranted or not. So, at worst, one of these guys will be displaced— at best, the confidence level in each guy is in question.
INDIANAPOLIS, IN – DECEMBER 06: Ohio State Buckeyes S Caleb Downs (2) during the Big Ten Championship football game between the Indiana Hoosiers and the Ohio State Buckeyes on December 6, 2025 at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, IN. (Photo by James Black/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State: People may not love it, but don’t be completely shocked if the Chiefs take Downs at #9 or with a trade in the first round. Steve Spagnuolo almost demands a top safety in his defense— and prefers one with elite football intelligence. Downs has all of that along with versatility, blitz and tackling ability. I know there are other needs, but there are also other picks—there isn’t another pick for Downs in this draft.
Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon: If you hate drafting a safety early, you probably would hate taking a tight end in the first round. But Sadiq is a freak. A ridiculous athlete, a solid/willing blocker, and a complete mismatch when used properly— that’s who you’d want working with Travis Kelce in 2026, with a chance to be the guy in 2027, right? He may not be the pick at #9… but later in the round, even with a trade up—I could see it.
Quarterback Justin Fields: He met the Chiefs media this week, and we heard Andy Reid talk about how he’s a starting-caliber talent in this league. Justin Fields wanted to be in Kansas City, and (believe it or not), the Chiefs backup quarterback is an important position.
They’ve needed someone to step up in multiple games over the last 8 seasons— Chad Henne, Matt Moore, Carson Wentz, Gardner Minshew, Chris Oladokun all played some meaningful (or not meaningful) snaps for this Dynasty. Fields may be a significant upgrade over each of them— whether they bring him in to run the ball, OR Mahomes needs a couple more weeks to get healthy.
Cornerback Kaiir Elam: Everyone loves a reclamation project. The Chiefs need bodies at cornerback. They have an elite coaching staff for the secondary. The opportunity is there— the poetry would be even better. Taking the guy Buffalo settled for instead of McDuffie and turning him into a productive player would be “chef’s kiss” and would lead to some (more) angrily broken tables in Buffalo.
This is more what I would do, not what I predict the Chiefs will do.
Rd 1, Pick #9: Reuben Bain, Jr. EDGE, University of Miami. They shouldn’t trade up unless all of their favorite pass rushers and wide receivers are gone.
Rd 1, Pick #29: Blake Miller, RT, Clemson. They continue to build in the trenches with another offensive lineman— but not at pick 9!
R2 2, Pick #40: Chris Bell, WR, Louisville. Another legit “X” prospect to compete— they absolutely have to add reliable pass catchers for Mahomes.
Rd 3, Pick #74: Keionte Scott, CB, Miami. They’ll add defensive backs in this draft for sure, and pick 74 seems about right for a player with speed and upside.
Rd 4, Pick #109: Oscar Delp, TE, Georgia. Tight end feels like an underrated need for the Chiefs. If they can’t get Sadiq, Delp is a nice complement to Kelce.
Rd 5, Pick #148: Ephesians Prysock, CB, Washington. I could see a double-dip at corner and the Chiefs do have a good pipeline from the Huskies.
Rd 5, Pick #169: Louis Moore, S, Indiana. Ball-hawk that can play deep safety.
Rd 5, Pick #176: Adam Randall, RB, Clemson. I could see adding a RB earlier in the draft, but Randall is a nice prospect for this point in the draft.
Rd 6, Pick #210: Karson Sharar, LB, Iowa. There will be players picked that weren’t on our radar, why not another Iowa linebacker?