Chiefs 7-round mock draft: Kansas City finds Trent McDuffie replacement

It’s an offseason of change in Kansas City.

After their division-winning streak came to an end in 2025, the Chiefs are loading up for another go at the Super Bowl in 2026. Major moves on offense and defense will see a much different Kansas City roster.

The Chiefs signed reigning Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker III to give them more explosiveness at the running back position. With Patrick Mahomes sidelined while recovering from a torn ACL, the team traded for former first-round pick Justin Fields as another depth piece at quarterback.

On defense, starting cornerbacks Jaylen Watson and Trent McDuffie are both now with the Los Angeles Rams via free agency and trade, respectively. The McDuffie trade netted Kansas City another first-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. Up front, defensive lineman Khyiris Tonga comes to the Chiefs from the defending AFC champion Patriots.

It’s not all new faces as franchise icon Travis Kelce signed a one-year deal to return to Kansas City for 2026.

2026 NFL DRAFT: Ranking the top 150 best players available

As the dust settles on the major moves of free agency, the team can look ahead to building out its roster in the 2026 NFL draft. Armed with multiple first-round picks, the Chiefs can make key picks to improve the future of the roster. Here’s how the Chiefs’ draft could look come April:

Round 1, No. 9 overall: Edge Rueben Bain Jr., Miami (FL)

Bain may slip slightly in the top 10 due to arm length concerns but the Chiefs would be happy to get his power and production off the edge. Kansas City struggled to get home with sacks in 2025 and getting one of the most productive edge rushers in college football is an easy boost to the defensive front.

More: Rueben Bain Jr. compares himself to Mike Tyson during Miami Pro Day

Round 1, No. 29 overall: CB Chris Johnson, San Diego State

McDuffie and Watson are gone and the Chiefs could always use more talent to develop at the position. Johnson is a great value here as a scheme-versatile outside cornerback with size and speed. He would contend with Kristian Fulton and Nohl Williams for a starting role as a rookie and a building block for the future.

Round 2, No. 40 overall: TE Eli Stowers, Vanderbilt

Kelce is back in Kansas City but the Chiefs have to be thinking about their future at the position. Stowers is one of the most explosive players in the 2026 class and put on a show at the NFL combine with his dynamic athleticism. He’s a bit undersized at 235 pounds but could be a vertical threat from the position the Chiefs haven’t had since Kelce’s athletic prime. In time, he could grow into a tight end of the future for Mahomes.

Round 3, No. 74 overall: Edge Gabe Jacas, Illinois

One premium pick alone won’t help the Chiefs’ pass rush woes from 2025. Jacas is a big-bodied edge at 6-foot-4 and 260 pounds who totaled 85 pressures and 20 sacks in his last two seasons at Illinois. There are some questions about his run defense but his high motor will earn him plenty of coverage sacks when possible.

Round 4, No. 109 overall: WR Ted Hurst, Georgia State

Hurst is one of the best small-school standouts in the class with size (6-foot-4, 206 pounds) and speed (4.42 40-yard dash) at outside receiver. The Chiefs haven’t had a threat like him on the outside in years. He’s shown the ability to shake press coverage well but may need time to get up to speed at the NFL level.

Round 5, No. 148 overall: LB Jimmy Rolder, Michigan

Leo Chenal is now in Washington, and the Chiefs would be well-served by finding at least a depth piece to make up for his departure. Rolder is inexperienced with just 11 career college starts, but he’s shown a lot to like, especially in run defense. He’s more of a specialist in that for now, without the coverage chops as a rookie.

Round 5, No. 169 overall: OT Keagan Trost, Missouri

Kansas City dealt with injuries on the offensive line, and bringing in an experienced swing tackle would help safeguard against that in the future. Trost played both right and left tackle at Missouri, most recently right. His length will make him a good fit for most any scheme. He’s unlikely to contend for a starting role but he’d be a swing tackle

Round 5, No. 176 overall: S VJ Payne, Kansas State

Payne can do a little bit of everything at 6-foot-3 and 206 pounds. He played in the box, slot and free safety in 2025 alone. He’s athletic enough to handle lots of assignments in coverage and Steve Spagnuolo could get creative deploying him throughout the defense. His run defense will need work.

Round 6, No. 210 overall: RB Kaelon Black, Indiana

Walker III is a dynamic outside threat at running back and 2025 draft pick Brashard Smith is a receiving specialist. Black could be a good fit alongside those two. The national champion offers great early-down usage with a low center of gravity and churns out yards after contact. He has great short-yardage value and is a willing pass blocker. His lack of receiving chops can be balanced out by Walker and Smith.

1 / 32