Chiefs 3-Round Mock Draft: Getting Kansas City a pass rusher, dynamic running back, and playmaker all in 3 picks
The Chiefs desperately need to hit these three benchmarks in the 2026 NFL Draft.
The Kansas City Chiefs lost to the Houston Texans, falling to (cue the jokes) 6-7 on the year. This is the first time in a long time it’s looked this bleak. They desperately need this season to be over so they can quickly start redoing the roster. The Chiefs need the 2026 NFL Draft to get here quickly.
Luckily, we have put together a quick three-round mock draft. The first three rounds may be the most important. That doesn’t mean the back four aren’t important, but the first three can usually be players who have pretty decent roles. For the Chiefs, they have three huge needs to attack early and often in this draft. Luckily, they can check every single one off by their third pick.
Chiefs 3-Round Mock Draft
Round 1, Pick 15: Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State Buckeyes
The Chiefs need another playmaker. Actually, they need a WR1. They need a guy who can carry the load, and honestly, someone who can get open all of the time. The guys the Chiefs have right now are good. In fact, I look at it as similar to the situation the Green Bay Packers just had – they have a ton of WR2s and WR3s rather than one WR1.
The Chiefs need that main guy. Carnell Tate can be that. The only thing KC would have to worry about is whether he makes it to pick No. 15. Now, KC could fall lower, or rise higher in the draft, but so could Tate. Fans will hate taking a wide receiver so early in the draft, but that was the biggest issue on offense on Sunday Night Football against the Texans.
Round 2, Pick 47: Zion Young, EDGE, Missouri Tigers
With guys like Charles Omenihu, Mike Dana, and Felix Anudike-Uzomah getting close to the end of their contracts, and some possibly becoming cut candidates, taking an edge rusher sets them up for the future, too. Zion Young’s sack numbers aren’t other-worldly, but they are good. Young has the physical attributes to be great at the next level with his long arms and quick get-off.
The Chiefs finally got pressure on the quarterback Sunday night. So it may feel like this team doesn’t need that. However, it most definitely does. They need another guy on the interior, too. However, this draft is not great for pass rushers in the interior. Young can also be a menace in the run game.
Round 3, Pick 79: Kaytron Allen, RB, Penn State Nittany Lions
There is a good chance that Kaytron Allen is not available in the third round. And, if he’s not, that’s OK, as there are some other good options. However, teams may fall back on the 4,000-yard career rusher due to some of the wear and tear he’s had. In four years, Allen has had 769 total carries at Penn State.
Allen is an explosive runner, though, and could easily be the best running back that Patrick Mahomes has had. Of course, he has to work on some things, but he could have a near-immediate impact at the next level. I think we are all tired of hearing about Mahomes leading the team in rushing, just for the team to then lose that game. Allen is good, so don’t overthink this.
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