The Kansas City Chiefs will have an excellent opportunity to pick up several exciting prospects during the 2026 NFL Draft — starting with their No. 9 overall selection in Round 1.
While Kansas City has many needs to fill, Chiefs general manager Brett Veach is known for his unconventional approach to the draft, and may decide to take the best players who are available in the early rounds before focusing on more talent-hungry positions in Rounds 3-7.
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Check out this full seven-round Chiefs mock draft, which projects that Veach will target promising defensive backs with Kansas City’s first two picks before turning his attention to more pressing positional needs:
Round 1, Pick No. 9: Tennessee Volunteers DB Jermod McCoy
Tennessee defensive back Jermod McCoy (3) celebrates after making a play during a college football game between Tennessee and Georgia at Sanford Stadium in Athens, Ga., on Saturday, November 16, 2024.
McCoy is one of the most exciting defenders in this year’s draft class and will likely be the first or second cornerback to come off the board in Round 1. Together with Trent McDuffie, McCoy will become a ball hawk who can help transform Steve Spagnuolo’s secondary into a force to be reckoned with.
Round 2, Pick No. 40: Toledo Rockets DB Emmanuel McNeil-Warren
Sep 14, 2024; Starkville, Mississippi, USA; Mississippi State Bulldogs wide receiver Kevin Coleman Jr. (3) runs the ball against Toledo Rockets safety Emmanuel McNeil-Warren (7) during the second quarter at Davis Wade Stadium at Scott Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Bush-Imagn Images
It isn’t likely that Veach will elect to take back-to-back defensive backs in Rounds 1 and 2, but if he does, McNeil-Warren would be an ideal candidate for the second selection. McNeil-Warren’s blend of size, athleticism, and instinct is exactly what Kansas City needs to be looking for in its early-round prospects.
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Round 3, Pick No. 74: Indiana Hoosiers WR Elijah Sarratt
Indiana’s Elijah Sarratt (13) celebrates after the College Football Playoff National Championship college football game at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens on Monday, Jan. 19, 2026.
Sarratt may not be available this late on Day 2, but if he is, Veach won’t want to miss out on the newly-crowned CFP National Champion’s outstanding hands as he rebuilds the Chiefs’ receiving corps.
Round 4, Pick No. 109: Notre Dame Fighting Irish RB Jadarian Price
Nov 29, 2025; Stanford, California, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish running back Jadarian Price (24) runs with the football against Stanford Cardinal safety Darrius Davis (29) during the first quarter at Stanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stan Szeto-Imagn Images
If Kansas City misses out on Jeremyiah Love in Round 1, Veach’s best option may be to wait until Day 3 to pick up the 2025 Doak Walker Award winner’s running mate, who also has all the traits scouts look for in a bell cow back.
Round 5, Pick No. 146: Iowa Hawkeyes EDGE Max Llewellyn
Iowa Hawkeyes defensive end Max Llewellyn (48) pressures Penn State Nittany Lions quarterback Ethan Grunkemeyer (17) during a college football game Oct. 18, 2025 at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa.
Llewellyn put together a productive 2025 campaign with the Hawkeyes and lands in Kansas City with a chance to earn rotational reps behind George Karlaftis, Mike Danna, and Felix Anudike-Uzomah next season.
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Round 5, Pick No. 176: BYU Cougars LB Jack Kelly
Dec 6, 2025; Arlington, TX, USA; BYU Cougars linebacker Jack Kelly (17) reacts after a missed field goal against the Texas Tech Red Raiders during the first halfat AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images
Veach ends the 2026 NFL draft by shoring up the middle of the Chiefs’ defense. Kelly isn’t likely to see the field early in his career, but he has traits that could make him an intriguing prospect after he acclimates to life as a professional.
This article originally appeared on Chiefs Wire: 2026 NFL Draft: Chiefs get 2 exciting DBs early, WR and RB late