The Kansas City Chiefs are heading into the NFL Draft with something most fans haven’t fully processed yet: two first-round picks. While the No. 9 overall selection has grabbed nearly all the attention — and rightfully so, as it’s the franchise’s highest pick in 12 years — the No. 29 pick at the end of the first round is quietly just as significant.
That second pick came from the trade that sent cornerback Trent McDuffie to the Los Angeles Rams. It’s a late first-rounder, sure, but in a draft where value can fall in unexpected ways, pick No. 29 gives general manager Brett Veach a genuine chance to add a second high-impact player on Day One. The question is who.
Most mock drafts and fan discussions are laser-focused on what the Chiefs do at No. 9. But the end of the first round deserves its own conversation — and a few names worth considering haven’t gotten nearly enough attention.
Why the No. 29 Pick Could Be Just as Important as No. 9
It’s easy to overlook a late first-round pick when you’ve also got a top-10 selection, but that would be a mistake. The No. 29 pick still comes with a first-round grade, first-round contract expectations, and — most importantly — first-round talent.
For the Chiefs, who are trying to avoid another playoff absence in 2026, both picks carry real weight. What Veach does at No. 29 will depend in part on how the board falls after pick No. 9, but the front office will need to be prepared for multiple scenarios. That means identifying prospects who might still be available deep into the first round — including some who aren’t generating much buzz right now.
The source analysis highlights three underrated options worth serious consideration. Only one is detailed in the available material, but the broader point stands: the Chiefs shouldn’t sleepwalk into this pick just because it comes at the end of the night.
The Underrated Prospect Making Analysts Take Notice
The most detailed name to emerge from this conversation is Caleb Lomu, an offensive tackle out of Utah. He attended the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis on March 1, 2026, and made enough of an impression to fuel the argument that he’s being significantly undervalued by consensus rankings.
What makes Lomu interesting isn’t just raw potential — it’s how polished he already is for his experience level. He’s a redshirt-sophomore, which means he’s still early in his development arc, yet he’s already described as a well-versed left tackle with elite functional athleticism. His technique across multiple blocking sets — whether drive blocks or angle blocks — is considered advanced for his age and experience.
The one area where analysts acknowledge room to grow is play strength. That’s a fair critique. But for a player this young with this skill set, the upside is considerable. Some evaluators rank him among the ten best prospects in this entire draft class — a view that puts him well ahead of where most public boards currently have him.
If Lomu is still on the board at No. 29, the Chiefs would be getting a player with starting left tackle potential at a position that never loses its value in the NFL.
What the Chiefs Are Working With at Pick 29
Detail
Information
Pick Number
No. 29 overall
How They Got It
Trent McDuffie trade with Los Angeles Rams
Draft Round
First round, end of Day One
Other KC First-Round Pick
No. 9 overall
Last Time Chiefs Picked This High
12 years ago (No. 9 reference)
Key Decision Maker
GM Brett Veach
Highlighted Prospect
Caleb Lomu, OT, Utah
Lomu’s Draft Status
Ranked among top 10 prospects by some evaluators
Why Underrated Prospects Matter More at the Back of Round One
Late first-round picks are where draft value is genuinely won or lost. At No. 9, the Chiefs are likely targeting a player everyone already knows about. At No. 29, the opportunity is different — it rewards the front offices that have done their homework on players the rest of the league hasn’t fully caught up to yet.
A prospect like Lomu fits that profile. If consensus boards have him ranked lower than his actual talent warrants, and the Chiefs have identified that gap, they could land a starting-caliber offensive tackle without using premium draft capital to do it.
That kind of value-based drafting is exactly what contending teams rely on to keep their rosters stocked while also competing in the present. The Chiefs have done it before. The No. 29 pick is another chance to do it again.
What Happens Between Now and Draft Night
The No. 29 decision won’t be made in isolation. How the board looks after the Chiefs make their selection at No. 9 will heavily influence what Veach targets with the later pick. If a specific need is addressed early, the back end of the first round becomes about finding the best available talent — which is exactly when underrated players like Lomu become most valuable.
Between now and draft day, expect the Chiefs’ scouting staff to continue building out their board with options at No. 29 that reflect multiple scenarios. The Trent McDuffie trade gave them flexibility. How they use it will say a lot about where this franchise is headed in 2026 and beyond.
Frequently Asked Questions
How did the Chiefs get the No. 29 overall pick?
The pick came from the trade that sent cornerback Trent McDuffie to the Los Angeles Rams.
Who is Caleb Lomu and why is he considered underrated?
Caleb Lomu is an offensive tackle from the University of Utah. Some evaluators rank him among the top 10 prospects in the draft despite lower consensus rankings, citing his elite athleticism and advanced technique as a redshirt-sophomore.
What position does Caleb Lomu play?
Lomu plays offensive tackle, specifically left tackle, and attended the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis on March 1, 2026.
What is considered Lomu’s biggest weakness?
Analysts note that play strength is an area where he has room to grow, though his athleticism and technique are considered well ahead of his experience level.
Will the No. 9 pick affect what the Chiefs do at No. 29?
Yes — according to the analysis, what Brett Veach does at No. 9 will directly influence the decision at No. 29, with the two picks working in tandem based on how the draft board falls.
When was the last time the Chiefs had a pick as high as No. 9?
The No. 9 overall selection is Kansas City’s highest draft pick in 12 years, making this an unusually significant draft for the franchise.