Chiefs 5 Round NFL Mock Draft: Grabbing Jawaan Taylor’s replacement, explosive edge rusher, and sleeper RB

The Chiefs have a lot of needs going into the 2026 NFL Draft.

Justin Churchill — College Football & NFL Trending News Writer
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Kansas City Chiefs Penn State edge rusher Dani Dennis-Sutton 2026 NFL Mock Draft
Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

The Kansas City Chiefs have a ton of needs they need to try to address as they enter the 2026 NFL Draft in a handful of months. First is free agency, where they will address some of those needs, like maybe running back and defensive tackle. Most of them will be addressed in the draft. The only issue is that most of the rookies they draft won’t contribute early in their career. Either way, they have to get this draft class right. So, let’s put together a mock draft that would be perfect for the Chiefs.

Chiefs 5 Round 2026 NFL Mock Draft

Round 1, Pick 9: Spencer Fano, Utah OT

The Chiefs have a need at tackle, as they likely won’t bring back Jawaan Taylor. Letting him walk would be smart financially, as Over The Cap has the cap savings near $20 million with a pre-June 1 Cut. The Chiefs are in a spot where the class isn’t great up top with the players they need most, like RB, TE, DT, and EDGE. There are players, but all of them could be taken before the Chiefs are on the clock. So, why not go get your next right tackle of the future to pair with Josh Simmons? Now, Mahomes’ strong side and blind side will always be protected, and Fano has a shot to become a Pro Bowl tackle.

Round 2, Pick 40: Germie Bernard, Alabama WR

The Chiefs need another receiver badly, and they may need one even more due to some of the off-the-field rumors circulating. Regardless, why not get a guy who is a pretty decent separator and has one of the best contested catch percentages in college football? He was amazing this last year, and everything he does well is what the Chiefs need.

Round 3, Pick 74: Dani Dennis-Sutton, Penn State EDGE

There’s no secret the Chiefs need someone who can get to the passer. They struggled with that a ton this season. Anyone not named Chris Jones just couldn’t put pressure on the pocket. Dennis-Sutton was pretty good at that throughout his entire college career, with some good size and length, too. He’s the most like the type of player Steve Spagnuolo likes at this pick in the draft.

Round 4, Pick 109: Genesis Smith, Arizona S

The Chiefs need a safety, especially if they don’t plan on bringing Bryan Cook back. In recent years, the dynasty has seen its starting safety walk a few times, so they may not be completely comfortable letting Jaden Hicks run the show yet.

Round 5, Pick 146: Mike Washington Jr., Arkansas RB

We all know that RB may be the biggest need. When your head coach comes out after the season and basically flat-out says the RBs aren’t good, you have to draft at least one. However, I am of the idea that if you can’t get Jeremyiah Love at No. 9, then you should get one late, because they will likely be able to sign one in free agency. Washington is a bigger back at 6’2, but can run his tail off. He finished with over 1,000 rushing yards and had 226 receiving yards and a receiving touchdown on 28 catches.

Round 5, Pick 176: Gracen Halton, Oklahoma DT

The top end of this draft class for defensive tackles isn’t great. Most of them can’t rush the passer, and that’s exactly what the Chiefs need—someone to take down the guy throwing the ball. Specifically, Halton was one of the best pass rushers from the interior this last season. However, some may want to pass on him because he played on the best defense in football. Still, his tools are refined, and he will be a good NFL player.

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