Chiefs

Chiefs almost on the clock: If they keep No. 9, here’s the strongest possibility

Key Takeaways
Key Takeaways

AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.

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  • Chiefs enter the NFL Draft holding nine selections across three days in 2026.
  • Kansas City possesses two first-round picks, marking its best draft position in years.
  • Panelists debate whether the Chiefs should use picks on edge, receiver, corner, or tackle.

The NFL Draft is near.

The Chiefs hold nine selections over the draft’s three days, with two picks in the first round. It’s the team’s best draft position in years — thanks to a poor finish to last season.

A successful draft would help the Chiefs avoid this kind of draft position in the future.

“You don’t want to be here, but we’ve gotten past that phase, and we’re in it,” Chiefs head coach Andy Reid said. “There’s a good number of picks we’ve got here.”

On SportsBeat KC, the sports podcast of The Star and KCUR (89.3 FM), Chiefs insider Pete Sweeney and columnists Sam McDowell and Vahe Gregorian offer their final pre-draft thoughts, starting with what the Chiefs should do with their first-round picks.

Edge rusher with their first selection? Wide receiver? Cornerback? A tackle for the offensive line? We agree on the positions of need, but not necessarily the players.

It will be a fascinating draft for the Chiefs as they begin the quest to reestablish the dominance they’ve experienced throughout much of the Reid era.

Rundown (timestamps are approximate)

1:20 — Why we are excited about draft the

17:18 — Who the Chiefs might take in the first round

29:12 — The local talent you should keep an eye on during the draft

31:42 - What else is on Blair’s radar?

This story was originally published April 21, 2026 at 10:45 AM.

Blair Kerkhoff
The Kansas City Star
Blair Kerkhoff has covered sports for The Kansas City Star since 1989. He was elected to the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame in 2023.
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