The Kansas City Chiefs have three selections in the top-75 for the second consecutive season, with last year landing them LT Josh Simmons (32), DT Omarr Norman-Lott (63), and DE Ashton Gillotte (66).

This time around, Brett Veach will be looking to land immediate and plentiful contributors on both sides of the ball. This comes after a disappointing 2025 NFL season, in which the team posted its worst record (6-11) since 2012 (2-14). Personnel problems absolutely had something to do with that, with noticeable issues at running back and defensive line.

There’s also a new concern to navigate, with WR Rashee Rice showing up in the news again for the wrong reasons. Will it keep him off the field in Kansas City? That remains to be seen, but Veach has to prepare for all possibilities.

We’ve seen how off-field situations can affect the Chiefs’ draft plans before, with allegations against Tyreek Hill leading to the selection of Georgia WR Mecole Hardman in 2019. In this particular mock draft, we’re exploring the possibility of that happening again, compounded by the club’s need for a dynamic playmaker on offense.

Who could they select? Let’s get into it…

Round 1, Pick 9: USC WR Makai Lemon

As much as adding a player like Lemon would be about the uncertainty surrounding Chiefs WR Rashee Rice’s off-field situation, it’d also be about replacing production lost should Travis Kelce retire.

It’s generally the type of move that could solidify a position group that has struggled to take shape since 2022 and give a new wide receiver coach the tools to succeed right off the bat. In multiple simulations, players like Ohio State’s Carnell Tate and Arizona State’s Jordyn Tyson were off the board by pick No. 9. Lemon, however, was available 80% of the time.

Lemon is one of the many “don’t overthink it” prospects in the early goings of this draft class. He’ll have his detractors because of his size, as he’s expected to measure sub-5-foot-11. He’ll also have those who downplay his ability because of the high percentage of snaps he plays in the slot. However, he’ll be just 22 years old during his rookie season.

His 3.13 yards per route run ranks the highest of any receiver in the class. He has proven capable of defeating both zone and man coverages. He’s an absolute demon with the ball in his hands, forcing 21 missed tackles, which ranks No. 2 among wide receiver prospects in the 2026 NFL Draft class. He averaged 6.8 yards after the catch per reception.

Lemon might be on the smaller side, but he certainly doesn’t play like it, boasting insane body control, physicality, ball skills, hands, and leaping ability on contested throws. Put it in the area code, and he’s coming down with it.

Round 2, Pick 40: Oklahoma EDGE R Mason Thomas

The Chiefs have tried and failed in recent seasons to bolster their edge-rush group with a speed-rusher archetype, but Oklahoma’s R Mason Thomas could succeed where players like BJ Thompson, Felix Anudike-Uzomah, and Josh Uche failed. He doesn’t have the prototypical size that Steve Spagnuolo is looking for at 6-2 and 249 pounds. However, it doesn’t seem to limit his ability as a run defender with 19 defensive stops and 10 tackles for loss this season alone.

Thomas has an extremely explosive first step, which has translated into a pass-rush win rate of at least 10% in each of his four seasons at Oklahoma. In his past two seasons, Thomas has recorded 15.5 sacks. He plays with extreme effort, as evidenced by his pursuit as a backside run defender or when the play does happen to get past him.

One thing that I think will really appeal to Spags here is the fact that Thomas isn’t just limited to a two-point stance or a Wide-9 look outside the tackle. He has the ability to reduce down on the defensive interior and cause some havoc with his speed there as well.

Round 3, Pick 74: LSU S A.J. Haulcy

If the Chiefs opt to move on from Bryan Cook in free agency, the secondary will be somewhat undermanned. Jaden Hicks didn’t take the step forward that everyone expected him to during the 2025 NFL season. That leaves Chamarri Conner and Chris Roland-Wallace, who are very good tertiary pieces. Haulcy, however, will add another ball-hawking presence in the secondary.

He led the Big 12 conference a season ago, with five interceptions at Houston before transferring to LSU for the 2025 college football season, where he had three more picks. He has the versatility to play single high, 2-man, or drop down into the box, which will entice Steve Spagnuolo and Dave Merritt. He’s also a heck of a tackler (347 combined in his career) with a quick downhill trigger and a good understanding of pursuit angles.