Four defensive players are linked to the Chiefs in 5 national NFL mock drafts
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Five national mock drafts project the Chiefs will select a defensive player.
- Mocks favor edge rushers Bain or Bailey to boost a pass rush that had 35 sacks.
- Other mocks list safety Caleb Downs and corner Mansoor Delane to reinforce secondary.
For more than a decade, the Chiefs have picked in the back half of the NFL Draft, other than when they traded up to No. 10 in 2017.
Trying to predict who the Chiefs will select when drafting that late has been difficult, but it’ll be easier this year. That’s because the Chiefs will have the No. 9 overall selection in the draft on April 23.
Five mock drafts were released this week to coincide with the end of the regular season. And they all agreed on one thing about the Chiefs: They’ll select a defensive player.
Here is a closer look at what those national mock drafts are saying about the Chiefs.
CBS Sports
Mike Renner of CBS Sports sees the Chiefs grabbing an edge rusher: Miami’s Rueben Bain Jr., who has turned heads during the College Football Playoff.
“If Rueben Bain Jr. falls because of his arm length, the Chiefs aren’t likely to hesitate to add him to Steve Spagnuolo’s defense,” Renner wrote. “He’s the exact type of power defensive end that Spagnuolo has loved dating back to his days as the Giants’ defensive coordinator.”
Sports Illustrated
John Pluym sees the Chiefs taking an edge rusher, too. But he believes it’ll be Texas Tech star David Bailey. Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes would love to have another Red Raider in the locker room.
“The Chiefs could add an offensive weapon, especially if tight end Travis Kelce opts for retirement, but they should also prioritize bolstering their pass rush after notching 35 sacks, tied for the seventh-worst in the NFL,” Pluym wrote. “Bailey was the most disruptive pass rusher in college football this season. He has a quick first step, can win around the edge with bend and flexibility, and has the strength to win with power.”
ESPN
Bain was also the pick for ESPN’s Jordan Reid.
“Bain’s game is all about power; he’s a heavy-handed defender who regularly overwhelms blockers at the point of attack,” Reid wrote. “Capable of playing 0- to 9-technique, Bain can play all over the defensive line and has flashed in big moments during Miami’s current playoff run. At 6-foot-3, 275 pounds, Bain’s measurables might not fit every team’s wish list but would work well in Kansas City, where defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo has preferred dense and powerful pass rushers. Bain had 8.5 sacks this season and would give a boost to a Chiefs pass rush that finished with only 35 sacks in 2025, tied for 22nd in the NFL.”
Bleacher Report
Ohio State safety Caleb Downs was the choice for the Chiefs in Bleacher Report’s mock draft.
“Downs is a do-it-all safety in the best sense of the description,” wrote Daniel Harms. “He has the instincts and speed to play over the top of the defense, route-recognition and football IQ to come down as a robber or two-high player and the ability to man-cover tight ends as a big nickel.”
The Ringer
LSU cornerback Mansoor Delane is the pick at No. 9 for the Chiefs, says The Ringer’s Danny Kelly.
“The Chiefs look to strengthen their defensive back room here, grabbing an instinctive cover corner in Delane,” Kelly wrote. “The Tigers standout excels in both press and off-man looks, showing a knack for anticipating routes and making plays on the ball at the catch point.”
This story was originally published January 7, 2026 at 9:57 AM.
