The Kansas City Chiefs currently hold the ninth overall pick in the 2026 NFL draft, opening the door for general manager Brett Veach to add a legitimate impact player. With the incredible stability of Patrick Mahomes under center, the more quarterbacks selected in the top-10, the better shot that the Chiefs will have of landing the best player available.
Unfortunately, the Chiefs might have a bit more competition in their pursuit of the BPA. On Wednesday, ESPN's Adam Schefter reported that Oregon Ducks QB Dante Moore — who was seen as one of the top signal-calling prospects — is opting to return to the school next season.
Moore was expected to declare for the draft by many and would've been a top-five pick, putting two clear quarterbacks ahead of Kansas City's ninth overall pick, with Indiana's Fernando Mendoza likely being the first overall selection. Even if this year doesn't have the best QB class, the fact that one fewer arm will be on the board is potentially frustrating news for the Chiefs.
Moore's return might be great for the college world, but it works against a Kansas City team that needs every possible opportunity to improve after how poorly the 2025 season went.
Dante Moore Might Cause a Snowball Effect for Chiefs' Draft Plans
With the Chiefs already having the league's best quarterback, they obviously didn't need Moore. The defensive line, running back, tight end, cornerback, and edge rusher are much more pressing needs, which is why drafting the BPA made a ton of sense. Now, another non-QB is likely to come off the board before the order reaches Kansas City, potentially opening the door for its top target to get snatched.
Not only does Moore's collegiate return potentially hurt the Chiefs' BPA hunt, but it also lessens the value of the ninth overall pick if GM Veach is looking to trade back. If Moore was still on the board at No. 9, a QB-needy team could've been pressured into selling off pieces to swap with the Chiefs. That's less of a possibility now.
That's without considering what could happen if a team ahead of the Chiefs moves down, too. If a team in the top eight wants a QB but changes its mind after Mendoza is taken, it could end up stealing one of Kansas City's potential trade partners.
Obviously, the Chiefs still have the best draft position they've seen in quite some time, and it'd be shocking if Veach & Co. leave Round 1 without a potentially franchise-altering player. Still, it's disappointing to know that Moore's decision could limit what Kansas City does with its pick, whether the front office keeps or trades it.
A lot of things can change between now and April, especially when the NFL offseason truly begins, making it interesting to see what the Chiefs will eventually do with Pick No. 9.