Chiefs Would Be Grateful if First Round Played Out Like This

• "After trading Trent McDuffie and losing Jaylen Watson in free agency, cornerback need some repairs," Kiper Jr. said. "LSU's Mansoor Delane and Tennessee's Jermod McCoy have to be considerations here. But remember, the Chiefs now have two first-round picks. And Bain would be very tough to pass up at this spot. Despite 30⅞-inch arms that caused quite a stir at the combine, Bain is dominant off the edge. He simply finds ways to get to the QB, whether it's with his speed, power or savviness. He had 71 pressures last season en route to 9.5 sacks and 18.5 tackles for loss."

If Bain Jr. is sitting on the board at this spot, the Chiefs would need to be blown away by a trade offer to move off this selection. The secondary is a clear issue for the team right now, but the pass rush was non-existent last season, and the front office needs to surround Chris Jones with more help along the defensive line. Despite the concerns with his arm length, Bain Jr. would prove to be a productive player alongside the 31-year-old defensive tackle.

No. 29 - CB, Brandon Cisse

• "I teased it earlier, but the Chiefs can't really afford to leave Round 1 without a CB," Kiper Jr. explained. "I had them going with Rueben Bain Jr. at No. 9, but this pick then has to be about the cornerbacks room, as Trent McDuffie, Jaylen Watson and Joshua Williams are all gone. Kansas City has signed only Kader Kohou so far to replenish the position."

Kansas City implementing this strategy and addressing pass rusher and cornerback would be a carbon copy of what it did in 2022. After trading Tyreek Hill, the Chiefs drafted pass rusher George Karlaftis and McDuffie. Wide receiver and tight end would be the flashy picks, but these two selections would illustrate the mindset of the front office, which is focused on winning in the trenches and revitalizing a defense that ran out of steam in 2025.