Chiefs gift Steve Spagnuolo pass rush help, solve RB problems in latest 7-round 2026 NFL mock draft

The Kansas City Chiefs are going to have some needs to address in the 2026 NFL Draft, and they might have some opportunities that they haven't had in a long time.

If the season ended today, based on the league standings, they'd hold the No. 17 overall pick. That'd be the highest first-round draft pick that Kansas City has held since they traded up to select QB Patrick Mahomes in the 2017 NFL Draft. It'd be the highest of their own draft picks since the team selected Marcus Peters with pick No. 18 in 2015. They're going to have some opportunities to add some truly talented pieces on both sides of the ball. The question is, what do they prioritize?

Kansas City Chiefs 7-round 2026 NFL Mock Draft

Round 1, Pick 17: Ohio State LB Arvell Reese

As long as the Chiefs are picking in the middle of Round 1, I’m going to take advantage by selecting pass-rush help. Reese could well be a top-10 talent in this draft class when it’s all said and done, but his current average draft position falls outside of that. He’s very reminiscent of Micah Parsons as a prospect in the sense that he can play both edge rusher and off-ball linebacker. At 6-foot-5 and 243 pounds, he’s lighter for an edge rusher in Steve Spagnuolo’s system, but he’s a pass-rushing weapon that could really add a new dynamic element that this team currently lacks.

Round 2: Michigan RB Justice Haynes

The Chiefs find themselves hunting for running back help at the trade deadline because they didn’t make any substantial offseason additions. They signed Elijah Mitchell, coming off a significant hamstring injury, and drafted Brashard Smith, a wide receiver to running back convert. Haynes will give the running back room the juice they currently lack as one of the most explosive running backs in college football. The 21-year-old has 18 carries of 10+ yards this season, with 11 going 15+ yards. Listed at 5-foot-11 and 210 pounds, Haynes has the ideal build for an NFL running back, too.

Round 3: Texas A&M LB Taurean York

There's a world in which the Chiefs lose both Leo Chenal and Drue Tranquill during the 2026 offseason, meaning they’ll need to reload in the 2026 NFL Draft. York might be undersized at 5-foot-11 and 227 pounds, but what he lacks in size, he makes up for in smarts and athleticism. He has 202 total tackles, 22 tackles for loss, 6.5 sacks, five passes defended, two fumble recoveries, one forced fumble, and one interception in three seasons for the Aggies. He’s the type of chess piece that Steve Spagnuolo can use to manipulate protections pre-snap and make the play in the backfield post-snap. Pairing him with Nick Bolton and Jeff Bassa in 2026 could give Kansas City its most cerebral linebacker unit yet. 

Round 4: Wake Forest DT Mateen Ibirogba

The Chiefs can’t go into 2026 with Mike Pennel, Derrick Nnadi, and Omarr Norman-Lott coming off an ACL as the primary backups to Chris Jones. They need to make some offseason investment in the interior defensive line to add competition for some young guys like Zacch Pickens and Brodric Martin. A former edge rusher at Georgetown, Ibirogba is an elite athlete, boasting some pretty rare burst and quickness at 6-foot-3 and 296 pounds. He has 14 total tackles, three tackles for loss, and two sacks in eight games this season. 

Round 5: Texas Tech S Cole Wisniewski 

A 6-foot-4 and 220-pound safety prospect who is a ballhawk and a sound open-field tackler. He was an FCS All-American in 2023 after posting eight interceptions with North Dakota State. He could wind up as a riser in the draft with good combine and pro day performances, but he passes the eye test from an athletic standpoint. If the Chiefs lose Bryan Cook in free agency, he'd be a solid late-round addition with potential to contribute on the back end of the DB depth chart.

Round 5 (projected comp pick for Tershawn Wharton): SMU TE Matthew Hibner

The SMU-to-Kansas City offensive pipeline continues. Listed at 6-foot-4 and 244 pounds,  Hibner is one of the better blocking tight ends in the 2026 NFL draft. That's not to say he isn't also capable as a pass-catcher. He posted 43 receptions for 537 yards and six touchdowns over the past two seasons with the Mustangs. He could be a good tertiary piece as the Chiefs figure out life after Travis Kelce.

Round 7: Arizona State DT C.J. Fite

Again, the Chiefs need to add competition for their interior defensive line. Fite has 66 total tackles, 11 tackles for loss, three sacks, two fumble recoveries, a forced fumble, and a pass defended over three seasons at Arizona State. The 6-foot-2 and 305-pound D-Lineman has a reputation as a strong leader and a hard worker, which is precisely what you want with these late-round picks. 

2026 NFL Draft Information

• Dates: April 23–25, 2026
• Location: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania