Apr 24, 2025; Green Bay, WI, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes tackle Josh Simmons is selected as the No. 32 pick by the Kansas City Chiefs during the NFL Draft at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Kansas City Chiefs 2026 NFL Draft Preview

Originally posted on The Lead | By Tobias Swiney | Last updated Apr 5, 2026 8:16 PM ET

The 2025 Kansas City Chiefs never quite put it together. A painful ACL tear for Patrick Mahomes capped an underwhelming season.

Despite the grumblings around the fandom, a much better result seemed incomprehensible with the lack of talent around Mahomes. With the departure of Isaiah Pacheco to the Lions, the Chiefs added Super Bowl LX MVP Kenneth Walker III. Travis Kelce also resigned to a one-year deal, though his output still continues to be in question.

Chiefs Draft Picks:

With plenty of draft picks to go around, the Chiefs are poised to add much-needed talent around Mahomes:

Round 1: Pick 9
Round 1: Pick 29
Round 2: Pick 40
Round 3: Pick 74
Round 4: Pick 109
Round 5: Pick 148
Round 5: Pick 169
Round 5: Pick 176
Round 6: Pick 210

Chiefs Positions of Need:

General Manager Brett Veach has a simple yet vital outlook on the draft: “Stick to that old mantra and take the best player available.” Positions of need in numerous categories allow the Chiefs to pursue players from both sides of the football field. With that in mind, here are three clear positions the Chiefs should aggressively target.

EDGE
WR
CB

Key Draft Targets for Chiefs:

David Bailey – EDGE – Texas Tech

Ranked first overall in total score at the NFL Combine, David Bailey is a serious defensive weapon. In addition to his explosiveness, he has a slippery nature, which is too much for linemen to handle.

With no clear star in this position, the Chiefs would benefit greatly from drafting Bailey should he fall from his top three prospect position. While he may lack size, he has the tools necessary to be forged into greatness.

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Colton Hood – CB – Tennessee

Not many players look like they already fit into a defense like Colton Hood would for the Chiefs. He brings aggressive, in-your-face defense that stuns receivers and intimidates running backs.

Several mock drafts project Hood to be selected in the tail end of the first round. The Chiefs could snag the Second-Team All-SEC cornerback with their second pick. Easily a “plug-and-play” type of player, Hood would add necessary talent in the Chiefs’ secondary.

Malachi Fields – WR – Notre Dame

Knowing Malachi Fields’ talent, it’s uncertain if he’d drop far in the draft. However, the Chiefs would be ecstatic to land Fields in round three, where several mock drafts project him to fall.

A 6-foot-4 receiver, Fields has elite size to break apart defensive fronts. A “throw it up and watch” type of wideout is a perfect fit for Patrick Mahomes. Known for his circus catches, Fields would add a fire this Chiefs team hasn’t had in years.

This article first appeared on The Lead and was syndicated with permission.

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