Chiefs Projected to Take Nation's Sack Leader in 2026 NFL Draft

The Chiefs have two first-round picks after trading with the Rams," Plocher wrote. "In this scenario, Kansas City goes with the best defensive player available in Texas Tech’s David Bailey, whose 94.4 PFF pass-rush grade against true pass sets ranks first among all edge defenders in the draft class."

"The Chiefs' two most productive pass rushers are heavier power rushers in Chris Jones (90.7 PFF pass-rushing grade in 2025) and George Karlaftis (75.8 PFF pass-rushing grade in 2025), so Bailey’s pass-rush production coming from speed and athleticism off the edge represents a nice complement," Plocher continued. "He would help the Chiefs get back on the winning side of one-score games."

Bailey’s fit in Kansas City would center on adding a different dimension to the pass rush. While players like Jones and Karlaftis win with power and strength, Bailey brings speed, burst and the ability to consistently win off the edge. That contrast would make the defensive front far more difficult to scheme against, giving offenses multiple types of pressure to account for on every snap.

His production backs that up. Bailey has already shown he can dominate in obvious passing situations. That kind of impact could immediately translate to the NFL, especially in a system that allows him to attack one-on-one matchups rather than carry the full burden of the pass rush.

For a team looking to rebound and return to contender status, Bailey could be a foundational piece. If he develops as expected, he wouldn’t just fill a need; he could help redefine how the Chiefs generate pressure, turning a weakness into a strength moving forward.