As NFL Draft approaches for Chiefs, we place new wide receiver atop our mock 4.0
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Chiefs favor WR, edge or corner with the No. 9 pick.
- Durability concerns noted for Tyson, but his upside remains high.
- Chiefs likely will use early picks to address WR, edge and secondary needs.
The idea of producing multiple mock drafts is to cover multiple possibilities, and with the ninth overall selection in the NFL Draft, there are several for the Chiefs.
But after predicting LSU cornerback Mansoor Delane in The Star’s first mock draft, followed by Miami edge rusher Rueben Bain Jr. and Ohio State wide receiver Carnell Tate, was it time to widen the position circle and go outside the Chiefs’ perceived needs?
No.
Although the Chiefs likely will address other needs with their draft card, it’s difficult to envision them — with their first top-10 pick since trading up to No. 10 to pick Patrick Mahomes in 2017 — selecting outside the wide receiver/edge/cornerback list.
So, for The Star’s fourth mock draft by beat writers Pete Sweeney and Blair Kerkhoff, we remained in the comfort zone.
Round 1, Pick No. 9: Arizona State wide receiver Jordyn Tyson
There are durability concerns with Tyson, who endured a multi-ligament knee injury in 2022, a fractured collarbone in 2024 and hamstring issues last season. He played more than nine games in a season just once in his four college seasons. But when Tyson is healthy, there might not be a better wide receiver in the draft. He has good size at 6-foot-2 and excels in producing yards after catch.
The Chiefs learned last week that Rashee Rice wouldn’t be suspended after domestic violence allegations were raised by his former girlfriend, but the team will likely look to bolster the position with the departure of Marquise “Hollywood” Brown. JuJu Smith-Schuster remains a free agent.
Mock draft 1.0: LSU CB Mansoor Delane
Mock draft 2.0: Miami edge Rueben Bain Jr.
Mock draft. 3.0: Ohio State WR Carnell Tate.
Round 1, Pick 29: Clemson cornerback Avieon Terrell
Will Avieon follow his brother as a first-round pick?
A.J. was selected by the Falcons in 2020 and was second-team All-Pro a year later. Avieon Terrell improved annually at Clemson. He’s forced eight fumbles over the past two seasons. Look for the Chiefs to address this position of need among their first three selections.
Mock draft 1.0: Missouri edge Zion Young
Mock draft 2:0: Tennessee CB Colton Hood
Mock draft 3.0: Clemson edge TJ Parker.
Round 2, Pick 40: UCF edge Malachi Lawrence
Lawrence was a three-year starter in the Big 12 and recorded 19 1/2 sacks over his college career.
At the NFL Combine, he ran a 1.59-second 10-yard split, the second-fastest time among defensive ends. At 6-4, 240, he has the prototypical size and ability to win inside and outside. Pass-rushing help is a Chiefs priority and he has been a riser during the pre-draft process.
Mock draft 1.0: Washington wide receiver Denzel Boston
Mock draft 2.0: Tennessee wide receiver Chris Brazzell II
Mock draft. 3.0: South Carolina CB Brandon Cisse.
Round 3, Pick 74: Texas Tech defensive tackle Lee Hunter
Could the Chiefs make it three straight on the defensive side? They could if Hunter is available.
Hunter started his career at Auburn and played three seasons at UCF before finishing with an All-Big 12 season at Texas Tech. At 6-3 and 318, Hunter looks the part of an early-down space eater.
Mock draft 1.0: Georgia cornerback Daylen Everette
Mock draft 2.0: Ohio State tight end Max Klare
Mock draft 3.0: Oklahoma DT Gracen Halton.
Round 4, Pick 109: Stanford tight end Sam Roush
With greater needs at other positions, the Chiefs will likely wait until Day 3 to add to their tight ends group, meaning premier options like Oregon’s Kenyon Sadiq, Vanderbilt’s Eli Stowers and Ohio State’s Max Klare could be off the board.
Travis Kelce is back for another season with the Chiefs, giving Patrick Mahomes his favorite target as Mahomes returns from injury. But if the Chiefs plan to reshape their offense into a more balanced, downhill running machine, the 6-6, 267-pound Roush may be just what the doctor ordered.
He is expected to enter the league as an elite, pro-ready run blocker — almost an extension of the offensive line. He has room to grow as a receiver, but he’ll have no better tutor than Kelce — one of the best to ever do it.
Mock draft 1.0: Baylor tight end Michael Trigg
Mock draft 2.0: Oregon linebacker Bryce Boettcher
Mock draft 3.0: Texas A&M tackle Dametrious Crownover.
Round 5, Pick 148: Texas A&M running back Le’Veon Moss
The Chiefs revamped their run game with the free-agent signings of Kenneth Walker and Emari Demercado, making it unlikely they select a running back on Day 1 or Day 2.
On Day 3, however, an addition to the room remains on the table.
Like Walker, Moss profiles as an early-down, patient runner and he has the built-in pass-protecting chops to be an instant depth option. While Walker logged a fully healthy season in 2025, his first three seasons saw him miss a combined 10 regular-season games due to injury. Acquiring a back with similar traits might be wise.
Mock draft 1.0: Wake Forest running back Demond Claiborne
Mock draft 2.0: Florida offensive tackle Austin Barber
Mock draft 3.0: Kansas State safety VJ Payne.
Round 5, Pick 169, Stephen F. Austin cornerback Charles Demmings
The Chiefs have loved taking shots on small-school defensive backs with upside on Day 3, and it’s paid dividends.
With Avieon Terrell to the Chiefs in the second round, the pressure would be off Demmings, who can contribute on special teams for Dave Toub as he gets stronger and develops on defense. At 6-1 and boasting a 4.41 time in the 40-yard dash, Demmings has the length Steve Spagnuolo likes, and his nine college interceptions show he has a nose for the football.
Mock draft 1.0: Miami safety Jakobe Thomas
Mock draft 2.0: North Carolina cornerback Thaddeus Dixon
Mock draft 3.0: Indiana running back Kaelon Black.
Round 5, Pick 176: Penn State tackle Nolan Rucci
Think big. Rucci checks in at 6-8 and 314 pounds.
Over the last two seasons at Penn State, he gained experience in a pro-style offense, which could put him in the conversation as a future swing tackle. He is the son of former New England guard Todd Rucci, who started 75 games for the Patriots in the late 1990s.
Rucci’s makeup suggests a willingness to put in the work and improve his technique, which will be necessary if he’s going to follow in his father’s footsteps as an NFL starter.
Mock draft 1.0: Penn State tackle Drew Shelton
Mock draft 2.0: Notre Dame safety Jalen Stroman
Mock draft 3.0: LSU linebacker Harold Perkins Jr.
Round 6, Pick 210: Texas A&M linebacker Taurean York
There’s no denying that at 5-11, York is widely considered undersized for the pro level.
That said, he’s highly instinctive, a trait Spagnuolo lauds when he talks about the position. A team captain in college, York approaches the game with absolute effort. He led Texas A&M last season with 72 tackles, including 7.5 for loss. Like Demmings, he would likely have to make the roster through special-teams value as he develops within the defense.
Mock draft 1.0: Georgia Tech wide receiver Eric Rivers
Mock draft 2.0: John Carroll wide receiver Tyren Montgomery
Mock draft 3.0: Navy slot receiver Eli Heidenreich.
