Examining How Many Skill Players Kansas City Chiefs Could Draft

After running through some mock draft simulations and further analysis of the Chiefs' areas of concern heading into the April 23 selection process, I wanted to examine just how many skill players general manager Brett Veach could acquire in the draft. Let's take a look at the talent pool at wide receiver, tight end, and running back.

Finding the sweet spot of total skill players draft by the Chiefs

Let's start with the wide receivers—it's a stout group with three wideouts in play at No. 9 overall and a handful at No. 29. The draft features ample depth across the board from the first round to the seventh, providing an opportunity for Kansas City to land an immediate impact pass-catcher on the perimeter.

While Xavier Worthy and Rashee Rice are still on the roster, a true X receiver is necessary, or someone who could provide reliability at the catch point and as a route runner without nagging concerns on or off the field. There figures to be at least one wideout selected by the Chiefs, with two not out of the questions.

At running back, it's a completely different story: Notre Dame's Jeremiyah Love is the only respectable tailback worth a Top 50 selection. Kansas City shouldn't consider addressing this position until much later in the draft, where they can find change-of-pace runners with some power and pass protection elements to balance the room out.

Frankly, don't be surprised if the Chiefs choose to wait until undrafted free agency to add to the position. Expect no more than one running back or none selected in the draft. Then, there is tight end, where the better value for the position will come around rounds three to five. If the Chiefs are looking to find their successor for Kelce in this draft, especially in the first two rounds, it would be hard to find them,.

However, Kansas City needs some sort of stability at the position, and there are some worthy Y pass-catchers available, such as Georgia's Oscar Delp or Stanford's Sam Roush in the middle round. Let's mark down tight end for only one player selected. The magic number for Veach and the Chiefs is three skill players potentially selected in this year's NFL Draft, providing Mahomes with more weapons in his arsenal for 2026 and beyond.