{"id":849635,"date":"2026-04-02T17:01:17","date_gmt":"2026-04-02T17:01:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/849635\/"},"modified":"2026-04-02T17:01:17","modified_gmt":"2026-04-02T17:01:17","slug":"latest-chiefs-mock-draft-features-highly-controversial-decisions","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/849635\/","title":{"rendered":"Latest Chiefs Mock Draft Features Highly Controversial Decisions"},"content":{"rendered":"

\t\t\t\t\"Brett\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tGetty\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

Kansas City Chiefs general manager Brett Veach.<\/p>\n

The Kansas City Chiefs<\/a> are three weeks away from hitting the clock on Night 1 of the 2026 NFL Draft.<\/p>\n

There are multiple different positions the Chiefs can address with their nine total picks. They have four selections in the top 75, which gives them a chance to land players who can make an immediate impact in 2026.<\/p>\n

The top draft minds for ESPN \u2013 Mel Kiper Jr., Field Yates, Matt Miller, and Jordan Reid collaborated for a new mock draft<\/a> on Thursday. Their picks for the Chiefs, particularly at No. 9, are a bit controversial.<\/p>\n

Kansas City Chiefs Select TE Kenyon Sadiq, CB Brandon Cisse in 1st Round of ESPN Mock Draft\"Kenyon<\/p>\n

GettyOregon TE Kenyon Sadiq<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s what Kiper had to say about Kansas City taking Oregon tight end Kenyon Sadiq at ninth overall:<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, Travis Kelce is back in Kansas City. But he\u2019s turning 37 next season, and quarterback Patrick Mahomes needs playmakers in this offense. Sadiq is as explosive and versatile as they come.\u201d<\/p>\n

The pick of Sadiq isn\u2019t necessarily what is controversial, but rather who the Chiefs passed on. With the following three selections, Kiper has cornerback Mansoor Delane going to the Cincinnati Bengals<\/a>, wide receiver Carnell Tate to the Miami Dolphins, and pass rusher Rueben Bain Jr. to the Dallas Cowboys.<\/p>\n

Those players would fill much bigger needs for Kansas City than Sadiq. While the idea of paring Sadiq with Kelce<\/a> is intriguing, Kelce is still a productive player on his own. The Chiefs could help open things up for him by adding a receiver rather than another tight end. Cornerback and pass rusher are also more premium positions, making it tough to pass on Delane and Bain.<\/p>\n

Kiper also made the Chiefs\u2019 29th overall pick, sending them South Carolina cornerback Brandon Cisse:<\/p>\n

\u201cI have both Chiefs picks in Round 1, and since I went offense with the first, I have to go cornerback here. Cisse makes plays on the ball and could help replace Trent McDuffie and Jaylen Watson.\u201d<\/p>\n

Cisse wouldn\u2019t be a bad pick at No. 29, but Kansas City could have a shot to hold off and get him with its 40th overall selection in the second round. Cornerback is considered to be very deep in this year\u2019s draft class, so holding off until the mid rounds and addressing more pressing needs early on makes sense. The Chiefs\u2019 free agent signings of Kader Kohou and Kaiir Elam make doing that a bit easier<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Chiefs Select OT Blake Miller, Edge Rusher Romello Height in 2nd and 3rd Round of ESPN Mock Draft\"Blake<\/p>\n

GettyClemson OT Blake Miller<\/p>\n

Yates sent Miller to Kansas City at No. 40.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Chiefs have Jaylon Moore as a veteran to anchor the right side for now, but he\u2019s on an expiring deal. It would be great value to land Miller at this point of the draft.\u201d<\/p>\n

The criticism for this pick is similar to that of Sadiq, as the Chiefs simply have more pressing needs. Four of their five starting offensive linemen are very good, and they are paying Moore a significant chunk of money in 2026. However, there has been consistent chatter<\/a> around Kansas City wanting to add someone to the mix at right tackle, so it wouldn\u2019t be shocking if it spends an early pick on one.<\/p>\n

With the Chiefs\u2019 74th overall selection, Miller had them taking Height.<\/p>\n

\u201cKansas City can\u2019t get out of the first three rounds without an edge rusher. Height plays with urgency and violent hands.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Chiefs finally get a pass rusher in Height, but he would be more of a project than Bain or other projected first-round pass rushers. If they don\u2019t add a defensive end who can start Day 1, the Chiefs will need to sign a veteran free agent.<\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tNick Roesch<\/a> Nick Roesch covers the NFL for Heavy Sports, with a focus on the Kansas City Chiefs, Green Bay Packers, and Los Angeles Chargers. He previously covered the Chiefs for USA TODAY Sports’ Chiefs Wire, and all 32 NFL teams for A to Z Sports. Roesch’s career in sports media spans 10 years. More about Nick Roesch<\/a>\t\t<\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tMore Heavy on Chiefs\n\t\t<\/p>\n

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