Kansas City Chiefs NFL Mock Draft Roundup 4.0

CB1 in this year's draft, Delane would be a perfect fit for the Chiefs, who traded two-time All-Pro Trent McDuffie and saw fellow starting cornerback Jaylen Watson walk in free agency.

The Chiefs need an edge rusher to pair with George Karlaftis, who tied his career low with 6.0 sacks last season. Over his last two seasons at Oklahoma, Thomas posted 15.5 sacks, 22 tackles for loss and four forced fumbles.

The Chiefs are in desperate need of more big-play receivers, as Xavier Worthy hasn't been a consistent spark plug for them the past two seasons. Tyson is the most explosive wide receiver in the draft and neck and neck with Carnell Tate for WR1 in my rankings. He has very good size, acceleration, unique run-after-catch skills and field-stretching ability.

Tyson dealt with a hamstring injury in 2025 and previously suffered a broken collarbone and ACL tear, but he changes an offense when healthy. He had 50 catches, 732 yards and six touchdowns in the final six games of the 2024 season.

The Chiefs haven't had two first-round picks since 2022, when they drafted cornerback Trent McDuffie and edge rusher George Karlaftis. While the former was traded this offseason (to land this pick), the latter needs some help on the edge.

Howell was the SEC Defensive Player of the Year after racking up 11.5 sacks in 2025, displaying an excellent first step, ability to bend the edge and closing speed. He lacks the optimal length for an edge rusher with just 30¼-inch arms, but that is offset by his ability to get underneath and around offensive tackles.

Kansas City saw Leo Chenal sign with the Commanders and could find his replacement in Golday, a former Central Arkansas star who wrapped up his career at Cincinnati. He's instinctive and rangy, and he could provide legit pass-rush juice for coordinator Steve Spagnuolo. He registered 12 pressures on just 68 pass-rush snaps in 2025.

They have a need at right tackle -- although Jaylon Moore can play there -- and Mauigoa can be a starter right away. Down the line, he could also be a guard, which is what some scouts think he will be.

They have to get corner help with both Trent McDuffie and Jaylen Watson now with the Rams. Terrell said he modeled his game after McDuffie, so it would fit.

The draft board fell perfectly for the Chiefs here with two offensive linemen going early. That left plenty of options at edge rusher and receiver — the team's two biggest needs remaining — and also provided Kansas City an opportunity to fill a premium position with Bain. At the combine, Bain shared that he believed he had a "strong" formal interview with the Chiefs. His pass-rushing juice, football intelligence and inside-outside versatility would immediately boost a defensive line in need of reinforcements. — Jesse Newell

Man, it was difficult to pass on Clemson cornerback Avieon Terrell — a Trent McDuffie clone who even said at the combine he models his game after the former Chiefs star. Then again, in defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo the Chiefs trust, as he and defensive backs coach Dave Merritt have a long-standing history of turning less-heralded secondary players into stars. In the end, McDonald simply fits too big of a need to pass up at a premium position. He profiles as a disruptive early-down player who should help the Chiefs' run defense right away. — Newell

Kansas City takes five seconds to turn this pick in. By the luck of the draw, one of the most disruptive defensive ends in college football falls into the Chiefs' lap as they try to re-infuse premier talent into their defense. Bain would be a perfect fit in Steve Spagnuolo's defense and form a productive trio alongside Chris Jones and George Karlaftis.

With Jaylen Watson and Trent McDuffie off to the Rams, cornerback has become a severe, immediate need for the Chiefs. Here they can take a dice roll on the talented Hood, who would have plenty of chances to make plays on the ball with Chris Jones and the previously mock-drafted Rueben Bain Jr. getting after the quarterback.

QB Patrick Mahomes has suffered the highest sack percentage of his nine-year career over the past two seasons and went down a career-worst six times in K.C.'s Super Bowl 59 loss. As he tries to return in time for this year's regular-season opener, despite rehabbing from a torn ACL, upgrading his protection seems imperative — especially given the release of RT Jawaan Taylor for performance and compensation reasons, plus the fact that Jaylon Moore didn't wrest a starting OT job in 2025. A three-year starter for the Hurricanes at right tackle, Mauigoa, a 6-foot-6, 329-pound mauler, could be a long-term solution opposite 2025 first-rounder Josh Simmons while vastly improving the odds Mahomes won't continue running for his life in 2026. Mauigoa might also be the best choice for a team that's invested so heavily in Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker III, who should be Kansas City's first 1,000-yard rusher since 2017.

With McDuffie and Watson gone, K.C. gets to work rebuilding its secondary with a guy who should be a plug-and-play starter.

Fano can start immediately at right tackle and eventually kick inside to guard if necessary. The Chiefs will have excellent information on him because of Andy Reid's relationship with former Utah head coach (and former BYU teammate) Kyle Whittingham.

The Chiefs land one of the most complete cornerbacks in the draft. Hood can cover and play the run, filling a big void in a secondary that is being rebuilt.

After trading Trent McDuffie and losing Jaylen Watson in free agency, cornerback need some repairs. LSU's Mansoor Delane and Tennessee's Jermod McCoy have to be considerations here. But remember, the Chiefs now have two first-round picks. And Bain would be very tough to pass up at this spot. Despite 30⅞-inch arms that caused quite the stir at the combine, Bain is dominant off the edge. He simply finds ways to get to the QB, whether it's with his speed, power or savviness. He had 71 pressures last season en route to 9.5 sacks and 18.5 tackles for loss.

I teased it earlier, but the Chiefs can't really afford to leave Round 1 without a CB. I had them going with Rueben Bain Jr. at No. 9, but this pick then has to be about the cornerbacks room, as Trent McDuffie, Jaylen Watson and Joshua Williams are all gone. Kansas City has signed only Kader Kohou so far to replenish the position.

Cisse showed off his explosiveness at the combine, jumping 41 inches in the vertical. He anticipates and closes well, with 12 pass breakups over the past two seasons. He could slide right in to the starting lineup.

They have a glaring need at cornerback following the trade of Trent McDuffie and losing Jaylen Watson in free agency. This is too obvious of a selection. I think Delane is the top corner in the draft as well.

I really like McNeil-Warren's game, and I think he could be a great talent injection for that Chiefs' secondary. Kansas City also needs some young and talented players who come cheap.