It is clear that the Kansas City Chiefs were one of the most disappointing teams of last season. Perhaps it wasn’t entirely surprising, but Patrick Mahomes and company had always managed to keep the team near the top of the AFC despite adversity. The problem was that the offense had been showing signs of stagnation, and eventually it completely collapsed.
Despite starting the season 0-2, the Chiefs managed to get back on track. By Week 8, after a victory against the Washington Commanders, they were considered favorites in the AFC and Mahomes was even seen as the leading candidate for the MVP award. However, in Week 9 they lost to the Buffalo Bills led by Josh Allen, and from that moment the team lost control of its season and slowly drifted away from playoff contention.
The Chiefs’ offense never responded again, and by the end of the season they ranked 21st in the NFL in points scored, something unacceptable in the Patrick Mahomes era. With a 6-11 record, Kansas City missed the playoffs and, for the first time since 2016, surrendered the AFC West crown to the Denver Broncos.
What will the Chiefs do in the upcoming Draft?
Right now, the Chiefs have signed Kenneth Walker III, the most recent Super Bowl MVP, in free agency to a three-year, $45 million contract, with $27.5 million guaranteed. With this move, Kansas City fills a position that was crucial for reigniting its offense. As a result, Jeremiyah Love from Notre Dame Fighting Irish is no longer among the team’s potential draft targets.
The Chiefs hold two first-round picks in the upcoming 2026 NFL Draft: No. 9 and No. 29, the latter acquired after trading Trent McDuffie to the Los Angeles Rams. Initially, it seemed likely that the first of those selections would be used to reinforce the offense. However, after the arrival of Walker III, that pick could now be used to bring in an elite defensive talent for Kansas City.
Logan Lazarczyk of ON SI mentioned several defensive prospects who could be considered by the Chiefs:
“If I had to guess right now, I would say pass rusher if one of Arvell Reese, David Bailey, or Rueben Bain Jr. is available. If all of those players are off the board by the time Kansas City is on the clock, selecting a cornerback would make the most sense for the Chiefs,” the analyst said.
It is clear that many Chiefs fans are dreaming about adding a talented wide receiver such as Carnell Tate from Ohio State Buckeyes. However, it is possible that he will be selected earlier in the draft. Because of that, the best strategy might be to strengthen the defense with the No. 9 pick and then try to grab a quality wide receiver with the No. 29 selection, where there will likely still be strong options available.
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