These are nine players the Chiefs could target on Day 2 of the NFL Draft
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- The Chiefs have the 40th overall pick and will pick eighth in the second round.
- GM Brett Veach said the Chiefs still need help at edge, D-line, corner and receiver.
- The article profiles several potential second‑round targets at edge, D‑line and receiver.
While clearly happy with the two first-round picks the Chiefs made Thursday, general manager Brett Veach made it clear there are other areas to be addressed.
The Chiefs took LSU cornerback Mansoor Delane with the sixth pick, then selected Clemson defensive tackle Peter Woods at No. 29.
Day 2 of the draft is Friday night in Pittsburgh, and the Chiefs have the 40th overall pick. They will pick eighth in the round.
“We still need a lot on this team,” Veach told reporters. “We have a lot of holes we have to cover, you know, edge and D-line and corner and some wide receiver depth and what have you.”
Here are nine players the Chiefs could target in the second round.
EDGE Cashius Howell, Texas A&M
Howell played three seasons at Bowling Green before moving to Texas A&M, where he had 11 1/2 sacks for the Aggies. This is from the NFL’s Draft analysis of Howell: “Bendy edge rusher with standout sack totals. Burst and elusiveness are on Howell’s rush menu and he pairs it with a refreshing inside spin counter. Though threatening, his rush could use more cohesive sequencing and better hand work to fully unlock its potential. As a run defender he’s frequently knocked around at the point and struggles to consistently execute tasks asked of an NFL edge-setter. Howell might not be a three-down player right away, but his ability to create pressure sets him up for a role as a designated rusher, at minimum.”
WR Denzel Boston, Washington
Here is what NFL Network draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah wrote about him: “Boston is a big-framed wideout with exceptional ball skills and production. He lines up both outside and in the slot. He uses his upper-body strength to power through press coverage. He is a long strider and understands how to use his big body to wall off defenders at all three levels. He is an outstanding ball winner. He has a huge catch radius and can play above the rim in the red zone. He makes some outstanding catches (SEE: the Colorado State and Michigan games). After the catch, he relies more on physicality than finesse to create extra yardage. Overall, Boston’s skill set is very similar to Courtland Sutton‘s when the two-time Pro Bowler was coming out of SMU.”
Edge T.J. Parker, Clemson
There is a distinct possibility the Chiefs take another Clemson player.
This is what the Ringer’s Todd McShay wrote: “Parker is a long-armed bulldozer of a power rusher who completely overwhelms offensive tackles when he gets under their pads. He has an effective push-pull move that he should continue to develop as a counter to his power. While he shows good closing burst for his thick frame, Parker lacks ideal change-of-direction suddenness, which shows up when he’s forced to redirect quickly at the top of his rush. It also leads him to miss tackles in space.“
CB Jermod McCoy, Tennessee
McCoy suffered a knee injury last year, and he could be available at No. 40 if the Chiefs go for another cornerback.
“McCoy ranked as my No. 10 overall prospect in the class based off film study,” ESPN’s Matt Miller wrote, “but questions surrounding the long-term health of his knee following an ACL injury in January 2025 caused him to slip.”
WR Germie Bernard, Alabama
CBS Sports’ Josh Edwards wrote this: “Alabama’s Germie Bernard is willing to do the dirty work in the run game, in addition to his responsibilities through the air, which will allow him to hang around the league for a long time; much in the same way that Robert Woods had previously.”
Edge Zion Young, Missouri
Young had 6 1/2 sacks and 16 1/2 tackles for loss for the Tigers last season.
The NFL’s draft outlook for Young included this analysis: “Long, well-built edge rusher with the size, strength and temperament engineered for trench battles at the next level. Young is a fiery alpha who brings immense energy to the field and locker room. He majors in block destruction using base power and aggression to play through opponents. He extends and locks out as an edge-setter and sheds when needed, but his pursuit speed and range are average. He has the power to bull rush or drive through edges, but lacks instincts and variety in his rush approach. His NFL pressure production will lag behind without better go-to moves and counters. Young’s physical tools and rugged demeanor give him a chance to be an instant run-stopping upgrade with average rush.”
DL Kayden McDonald, Ohio State
Should the Chiefs continue to beef up the defensive line, McDonald is a logical pick in the second round.
Bleacher Report’s Matt Holder wrote this: ”During the 2025 campaign, the Georgia native experienced a breakout season, taking command of the starting nose tackle job and recording 65 tackles, nine TFLs, three sacks and two forced fumbles. That resulted in a unanimous All-American selection and the Big Ten Defensive Lineman of the Year Award.”
Edge R Mason Thomas, Oklahoma
Jeremiah wrote this about the Sooners star who had 15 1/2 sacks over the past two seasons: “Thomas is an instinctive and physical edge defender. He lacks ideal height/length/bulk for the position, but he is a difference-maker. As a pass rusher, he covers a lot of ground with his first three steps and has multiple ways to win. A widen/bull rush and swipe-and-rip are some of his favorite moves. He draws a lot of attention from extra blockers and still manages to disrupt the passer. Against the run, his lack of length wasn’t an issue in the games I studied. He’s firm at the point of attack and refuses to stay blocked. He plays with maniacal energy and effort. He was asked to drop into coverage at times and looked stiff in his change of direction. Overall, Thomas doesn’t fit the prototype, but I believe he’ll be a valuable NFL starter.
WR Antonio Williams, Clemson
This is part of what McShay wrote: “Williams’s 2.21 yards per route run over the past two seasons would be very good in any draft class and put him near the top of the 2026 class. His production dipped last season compared to 2024, but he improved in two areas: First, he developed a graduate-level feel versus zone coverage. Second, he exhibited much more aggressiveness after the catch. He’s always had good acceleration and suddenness, but he showed greater urgency and confidence. He forced 14 missed tackles in 2024 and averaged 5.3 YAC for his career.
This story was originally published April 24, 2026 at 9:44 AM.
