The 2026 NFL free agency period is winding down, with the majority of the top free agents having found new homes. Brett Veach and the Kansas City Chiefs were quite active, adding five new players, bringing back several of their own, and losing several players to opposing teams. The team will soon turn its full attention to the 2026 NFL Draft, looking to fill in the gaps on the 90-man roster and make the team better for the upcoming season and beyond.

How could the draft play out after the Chiefs’ free agency period? If you look at the team’s 90-man offseason roster, they’ve still got some work to do at several positions if they’re to be the best version of themselves in 2026.

Here’s a fresh look at how things could go for Kansas City.

Full 7-round Chiefs 2026 NFL Mock Draft

9. Miami DE Rueben Bain Jr.

The Chiefs’ biggest remaining need after free agency is undoubtedly the edge rusher position. The collective fear over Rueben Bain Jr.’s historical outlier arm length just might be enough to land Brett Veach the premier edge rusher of this draft class. Just how much of an outlier is Bain’s arm length, and what is the range of outcomes? Our own Ryan Roberts did the legwork to try to answer that question. 

What I do know is that the stats match those of an elite player. He was about as disruptive as they come, with over 30% pass rush win rate on true pass sets, with an FBS-leading 83 total pressures, 15.5 tackles for loss, and 9.5 sacks in 2025. The tape also shows me a player who can hold his own in the NFL because of how he sets up offensive tackles. Set to defend his ability to bend the edge, and he’ll cross you up to attack the inside. Never mind the fact that he’s a dog setting the edge and shedding blocks as a run defender.

Can Bain be a success in the NFL or in the Chiefs’ scheme? I look to Melvin Ingram as the example for why the answer to that is an emphatic yes. Both players were around 6-foot-2 and 260 pounds with a 77-inch wingspan.

29. Tennessee CB Colton Hood

The Chiefs need to reload in the secondary, and while they could wait around until later in the draft, having a fifth-year option seemed to pay off for them with Trent McDuffie. Listed at 5-foot-11 and 193 pounds, with 31-inch arms, Hood has the size and length for a starting outside cornerback in the NFL. He has a physical and sticky coverage style, competing really well at the catch point. He does a great job of diagnosing pre-snap, and he’s also quick to attack downhill. Hood scored an 80.9% mark on the A to Z Sports Athletic Composite, with a 91st percentile mark in the vertical jump. 75 total tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, three interceptions, and 14 passes defended over the past two seasons. Also had a fumble and an interception returned for a touchdown. 

40. Tennessee WR Chris Brazzell II

Tennessee’s spread offense might scare some teams away, but it fits Kansas City’s style. A big-play threat who is deadly in the red zone and with comeback and curl routes. Led the SEC with 1,017 yards and 9 touchdowns in 2025. Ran a 4.37s 40-yard dash at 6-foot-5 and 200 pounds, leading to one of the craziest spider charts I’ve ever seen (see above). Brazzell has some effort issues that show up on tape, but I think Eric Bieniemy is the kind of offensive coordinator who can address those bad habits. 

74. Cincinnati LB Jake Golday

Hyper-athletic 6-foot-4 and 240-pound SAM linebacker to replace Leo Chenal. A 76% mark in the A to Z Sports Athletic composite after the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine, with a 91st percentile burst score. Ultimate chess piece who can also play MIKE, EDGE, and overhang for Spags. 163 total tackles, 13 tackles for loss, five sacks, three forced fumbles, one fumble recovery, and five passes defended over the past two seasons.  

109. Mizzou DT Chris McLellan

Didn’t test as the most explosive or quick interior defensive lineman in the class, which is why I see him lasting until early Day 3. Productive 2025 season, with 48 total tackles, eight tackles for loss, six sacks, and two passes batted. His tape shows that he knows how to use his 6-foot-4, 320-pound size, angles, and his hands to put offensive linemen in a bad spot. He’s also quite good at winning his one-on-one matchups. 

148. Notre Dame TE Eli Raridon 

Even though he’s coming back for 2026, the Chiefs need to start thinking about life after Travis Kelce. At 6-foot-6 and 245 pounds, Raridon is one of the most complete tight end prospects in the 2026 NFL Draft. Really good at selling blocks before releasing from an in-line position. Good feel for finding open space, too. Has some injury history concerns (two ACL tears) that need to be cleared. 

169. Arizona S Dalton Johnson

Wildcat teammates Genesis Smith and Treydan Stukes might be picked before him,  but I won’t be shocked if he’s just as successful. A bit undersized at 5-foot-11 and 182 pounds, but he boasts elite range in single-high or split-field looks. Allowed the sixth-lowest catch rate in the and the fifth-highest forced incompletion rate in the Big 12 in 2025.

176. Central Michigan EDGE Michael Heldman

Hits all of the traditional Spags thresholds at 6-foot-4 and 260 pounds. He also boasts one of the best true pass rush win rates (40.4) in the 2026 NFL Draft, behind only Nadame Tucker. He made First-Team All-MAC in 2025, boasting 16.5 tackles for loss and 10.5 sacks. High effort and motor player. 

210. Southern Miss CB Josh Moten

Moten is listed at a slight 6-foot and 170 pounds, but he’s got back-to-back seasons with five interceptions, one at Marshall and one at Southern Miss. Turn on the tape of him against Ohio State’s Jeremiah Smith in 2024 and you’ll understand why this is a worthy dart throw, even in the sixth round. 

Kansas City Chiefs News

Kansas City Chiefs reverse course on key interior offensive line depth decision during 2026 NFL free agency

The Chiefs reversed course on one interior offensive line decision, bringing back Mike Caliendo on a one-year deal.

Charles Goldman