The 2026 NFL Draft is just a week away, and the league is bracing for a chaotic three-day stretch where anything can happen. While Fernando Mendoza appears to be a total lock for the first overall pick, becoming the eighth quarterback to go #1 in the last decade, the rest of the board is a complete toss-up. Interestingly, five teams (the Jets, Browns, Dolphins, Cowboys, and Chiefs) hold two first-round selections, fueling rumors that a flurry of draft-day trades is imminent.
For the Kansas City Chiefs, this draft represents a massive turning point. They will enter the night with their highest pick since 2013, the year they took Eric Fisher first overall. That season marked the beginning of the Andy Reid era and the arrival of Travis Kelce, who recently put pen to paper on a one-year, $12 million contract to return for a staggering 14th season in red and white. But if the Chiefs want to get back to the mountaintop, they need more than just veteran leadership.
Fixing the Secondary: Why Mansoor Delane is the Island the Chiefs Need
While the offense got a massive boost in free agency by signing Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker III, the move effectively signaled that the Chiefs are out on top running back prospect Jermyiah Love. Instead, the real urgency is on the defensive side of the ball. The departures of lockdown corners Trent McDuffie and Jaylen Watson have left the secondary looking uncharacteristically thin, and Brett Veach knows he can’t enter the 2026 season with such a glaring hole.
With the 9th overall pick and an additional late first-rounder (the 29th pick acquired from the Rams in the McDuffie trade), Kansas City is in a prime position to rebuild their defense. Many experts have the Chiefs targeting Mansoor Delane out of LSU.
Widely regarded as the premier cornerback in this class, Delane has the physical tools and the “Island” mentality required to thrive in a high-pressure system. While Veach has a reputation for finding defensive gems in the middle rounds, the loss of two foundational starters might force his hand to take the elite talent early at pick nine.
Reloading the Arsenal: Jordyn Tyson and the Patrick Mahomes Revenge Tour
The 2025 season was a bitter pill to swallow for the Kingdom. The dream of a fourth consecutive Super Bowl evaporated long before Patrick Mahomes suffered a season-ending injury in Week 15. The engine stalled, and for the first time in a decade, the Chiefs’ playoff streak was snapped. Now, with Mahomes on the mend and a “revenge season” on the horizon, the front office is looking to surround their franchise QB with even more weapons.
With the 29th overall pick, ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. suggests the Chiefs will target Arizona wide receiver Jordyn Tyson. Following the departure of Marquise “Hollywood” Brown to the Eagles, Kansas City needs a reliable playmaker to take the pressure off Rashee Rice and Xavier Worthy.
Tyson is coming off an explosive season with the Wildcats, hauling in 61 receptions for 711 yards and eight touchdowns. His ability to create separation and win contested catches makes him a perfect fit for a Mahomes-led offense that struggled with consistency last year.
After matching the second-longest playoff streak in NFL history, the Chiefs are clearly tired of watching from the sidelines. By attacking the draft aggressively and securing blue-chip talent like Delane and Tyson, Kansas City isn’t just looking to compete-they are looking to restart the dynasty.
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