Jan. 26, 2026, 6:45 p.m. CT

The Kansas City Chiefs will have a chance to add several valuable prospects with their first picks in the 2026 NFL Draft.

Fans should expect Chiefs general manager Brett Veach to be bold with his early selections as Kansas City looks to rebuild after a failed 2025 regular-season campaign.

Take a look at this full Chiefs mock draft, which projects that Veach will target defenders early before turning his attention to Kansas City’s offense:

Round 1, Pick No. 9: Ohio State Buckeyes DB Caleb DownsOhio State Buckeyes defensive back Caleb Downs (2) takes the field for warm-ups prior to the NCAA football game against the UCLA Bruins at Ohio Stadium in Columbus on Nov. 15, 2025.

Downs would be a transformative addition to Kansas City’s secondary and is exactly the kind of blue-chip prospect that the Chiefs should target with their first pick. The 2025 Jim Thorpe Award and Lott Award winner may hear his name called in the top-five, so Kansas City can’t afford to miss the chance to select him if he falls all the way to No. 9.

Expert NFL picks: Exclusive betting insights only at USA TODAY.Round 2, Pick No. 40: Miami Hurricanes EDGE Akheem MesidorJan 19, 2026; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Miami Hurricanes defensive lineman Akheem Mesidor (3) celebrates after a sack against the Indiana Hoosiers in the third quarter during the College Football Playoff National Championship game at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

It would be an absolute gift to Kansas City if Mesidor falls all the way to the No. 40 pick. The Chiefs land an exciting pass-rusher to beef up their defensive front after the unit’s underwhelming performance in 2025.

Round 3, Pick No. 74: Clemson Tigers OT Blake MillerDec 21, 2024; Austin, Texas, USA; Clemson Tigers offensive lineman Blake Miller (78) against the Texas Longhorns during the CFP National playoff first round at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Kansas City will almost certainly target an offensive lineman in the middle rounds, and Miller would be a perfect fit for the Chiefs here at pick No. 74.

Round 4, Pick No. 109: Georgia State Panthers WR Ted HurstNov 1, 2024; East Hartford, Connecticut, USA; Georgia State Panthers wide receiver Ted Hurst (16) makes a touchdown catch against the Connecticut Huskies in the second quarter at Rentschler Field at Pratt & Whitney Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-Imagn Images

Hurst isn’t the most polished wide receiver in the 2026 class, but his combination of size, speed, and production could make him one of the more intriguing pass-catchers available here in Round 4.

Round 5, Pick No. 146: Indiana Hoosiers RB Roman HembyIndiana's Roman Hemby (1) celebrates after the College Football Playoff National Championship college football game at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens on Monday, Jan. 19, 2026.

Fans may prefer that Kansas City targets a running back earlier than Round 5, but Hemby is a rusher worth waiting for. The newly-crowned CFP National Champion joins the Chiefs with a chance to compete to be Kansas City’s leading rusher next season.

Round 5, Pick No. 176: Missouri Tigers DL Chris McClellanDec 30, 2024; Nashville, TN, USA; Missouri Tigers defensive tackle Chris McClellan (7) rushes Iowa Hawkeyes quarterback Brendan Sullivan (1) during the first half at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-Imagn Images

McClellan stays close to home and gets an opportunity to push for playing time as a run-stuffing rookie on the Chiefs’ aging defensive front.