Chiefs 5 Round NFL Mock Draft: Patrick Mahomes gets a new go-to guy while the defense gets big play eliminators
The Chiefs should look into all of these guys.
Fixing the Kansas City Chiefs this offseason will be tough for Brett Veach. Still, it’s doable.
With limited cap space and few draft picks, the Chiefs face a challenge. But if anyone can return this team to the postseason, it’s Mahomes, Reid, and Veach. Free agency and the draft could get chaotic.
Turning specifically to the 2026 NFL Draft, there’s a way they could address every single need and still get players who can contribute across the board. To explore that possibility, we worked through this week’s mock draft.
Chiefs 5 Round NFL Mock Draft
Round 1, Pick 9: Makai Lemon, USC Trojans WR
There aren’t many better wide receivers in the last few years than Lemon has been. In 2025, he was maybe the best receiver in college football. Building on the Chiefs’ need for reliable targets, he’s the perfect type of receiver the Chiefs need and would be a great go-to guy for Mahomes. Lemon is the best wide receiver in this draft class when it comes to his release off the line. He understands leverage better than anyone in the class, and doesn’t do what the Chiefs seem to always have an issue with—drop the ball. Lemon has just two drops on 175 targets in two seasons. The fit would be like a glove.
Round 2, Pick 40: Zion Young, Missouri Tigers edge rusher
The Chiefs need to do a better job at getting to the passer. Last season, they didn’t do a good job of it at all, as no one could win one-on-ones outside of Chris Jones, who was mostly double-teamed. With this in mind, Young isn’t a developed pass rusher yet, but he has all the physical and mental tools to be elite. He needs development, but he fits the Steve Spagnuolo pass-rusher mold, with long arms and a tall frame. Not to mention, he’s also been playing for the Tigers right up the street. Young had eight sacks last season.
Round 3, Pick 74: Darrell Jackson Jr., Florida State Seminoles DT
The Chiefs need help on the edge and at defensive tackle. They need to get to the passer, yes, but they also need a space eater in the interior—a guy who can stop the run and plug gaps. At the same time, you don’t want a DT who can only do that and is a liability in other areas. Jackson has the potential to be great in both areas. The 6’5, 335-pound player has six sacks and 35 hurries in the last two seasons. This past year, his numbers were down due to being on a very bad defense.
Round 4, pick 109: Bud Clark, TCU S
The Chiefs have an obvious safety problem. They have to decide whether or not they’ll be bringing back Bryan Cook. Since they obviously aren’t too big on Jaden Hicks, or they’d trust him to play more, they will need safety help from either this class or free agency. Drafting one is cheaper. KC had the sixth-fewest interceptions last season with ten total, while Clark has over 10 in his college career alone. Getting a Ball Hawk and a Big Play Eliminator in the fourth round would be huge, although he could and should have gone earlier. Still, this is where he is currently projected to go.
Round 5, Pick 146: Mike Washington Jr., Arkansas Razorbacks RB
The former Arkansas Razorbacks RB is the biggest RB at the Senior Bowl, and yet he reached the highest speed of any player not named Davison Igbinosun of the Ohio State Buckeyes. These tools matter for the Chiefs, who are seeking a powerful yet explosive back. We are talking about a 6’2, 230-pound running back who reached a top speed of 21 miles per hour. He played great in the Senior Bowl game, rushing five times for 29 yards and a big nine-yard run in which he and some offensive linemen drove him closer and closer to the goalline with defenders pushing back. Washington was great all week, and can be the back that the Chiefs desperately need. Washington rushed for over 1,000 yards last season and had eight rushing TDs in the SEC.
Round 5, Pick 176: Oscar Delp, Georgia Bulldogs TE
We still aren’t sure whether the Chiefs will be with or without Kelce next season, given his possible retirement. No matter what, even if he doesn’t this offseason, he’ll likely do so the next or soon after. For that reason, they need a tight end who can develop into something. Delp can, but he needs a lot of development. Delp is 6’5, 250 pounds. He’s a decent run blocker who could use some work, and he has decently soft hands with some good route mechanics. He needs some work, but the Chiefs are great at developing TEs.
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