The Kansas City Chiefs are coming off an incredibly disheartening 2025 season, falling short of the playoffs for the first time in the Patrick Mahomes era. With this in mind, the Chiefs must use the 2026 NFL draft to help foster a bounce-back year, especially since they'll be drafting higher than they have in a long time.
After the team underperformed last season, head coach Andy Reid and general manager Brett Veach must capitalize on the plethora of talent available in April. That means addressing key offensive (wide receiver, running back, etc.) and defensive (secondary, pass rush, etc.) issues early on Days 1 and 2.
Fortunately, the Chiefs have three picks within the top 75 to help with that goal, beginning with this year's ninth-overall selection.
Early Chiefs Mock Draft 2026: Rounds 1-3
Round 1, Pick 9: Jeremiyah Love, RB — Notre Dame
If Jeremiyah Love is still on the board when the Chiefs' number is called, the franchise should run their draft card out to the podium. The explosive running back isn't afraid of contact and is an elite prospect when it comes to a receiving threat out of the backfield.
If you created the perfect back to help Mahomes in EA Sports' "Madden NFL," the result would look a lot like Love. The blistering playmaker amassed 3,014 total scrimmage yards and 40 touchdowns on 417 touches in the last two seasons, and Chiefs fans would love to see what he could do with offensive coordinator and RB whiz Eric Bieniemy back in town.
The fact that Mahomes was the team's third-leading rusher and only 40 yards behind Isiah Pacheco furthers the Chiefs' need for Love. Kansas City can't afford to keep putting that much mileage on its franchise QB's shoulders, especially as Mahomes returns from an ACL tear.
Drafting Love not only addresses this concern but adds an exciting and explosive wrinkle to the offense. All of a sudden, the Chiefs have legitimate hopes of a balanced attack and the ability to lean on someone other than Mahomes.
It is fun to imagine just how great the quarterback might be with a consistent run game capable of fueling the offense, as well as introducing a more consistent screen game for an offense that is perfect for Love.
Round 2, Pick 40: Colton Hood, CB — Tennessee
When it comes to the Chiefs' second pick of the draft, using the 40th overall selection on the best player available makes a ton of sense.
Cornerback is a clear area of concern with Jaylen Watson scheduled to hit free agency. There have alsobeen rumblings as to whether or not Trent McDuffie could be on the move as well due to his contract situation. Regardless, it is clear that the Chiefs need to add to the position, and Colton Hood is an ideal fit who can step in as a potential starter from day one.
Hood started the 2025 season expected to be the second corner and quickly wiped away this notion, becoming the primary cover man for the Volunteers. He had eight pass break-ups and 4.5 tackles for a loss while allowing only 28 completions on 52 targets (53.8%) for 318 yards, one touchdown, and a 70.8 passer rating, per Pro Football Focus.
The Chiefs would give themselves flexibility with this selection, taking pressure off re-signing Watson or opening an easier avenue for a potential McDuffie trade.
Defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo and Chiefs fans feel better about the secondary's outlook with Hood in the fold. Throw in Nohl Williams potentially being ready to take another step in Year 2, and Kansas City's cornerback room could be a non-issue for years to come.
Round 3, Pick 74: Elijah Sarratt, WR — Indiana
With Xavier Worthy, Rashee Rice, and Jalen Royals being the only wide receivers currently under contract, the Chiefs need to add some new weapons for Mahomes this offseason. The need is even more pressing with star tight end Travis Kelce's future up in the air.
That's why drafting Indiana's Elijah Sarratt at No. 74 makes a world of sense.
Sarratt's lack of explosiveness might cause him to fall to Day 2, but that doesn't make him a bad pick. The National Championship-winning WR was still solid for the Hoosiers last season, tallying 65 catches for 830 receiving yards and a nation-leading 15 touchdown grabs. For comparison, he had 16 TDs combined in his two previous NCAA seasons.
Sarratt consistently finds open space, while his 6-foot-2, 213-pound frame offers the physicality to fight for extra yards. The Chiefs badly need a receiver who's willing to get physical, especially in the draft, making him the perfect complement for the likes of Worthy and Rice.
After winning it all with Indiana, Sarratt has a championship pedigree that aligns with the Chiefs' mindset. That could set him up for immediate success this fall, making him someone who must be on GM Veach's radar if he's still on the board to begin Round 3.