Brett Veach Reveals Major Hint in Direction Chiefs Take in First Round

The 2026 NFL Draft is less than four weeks away, which is the most important one for the Kansas City Chiefs in the Patrick Mahomes era.

With nine picks in the draft, the Chiefs have ample opportunities to replenish several areas of the roster, including two first-round picks.

Feb 24, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Kansas City Chiefs general manager Brett Veach speaks at the NFL Scouting Combine at the Indiana Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images | Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

While speaking with ESPN's Peter Schrager, general manager Brett Veach spoke on the No. 9 pick and what Kansas City will be prioritizing at that spot.

Veach's Thoughts

Nov 10, 2024; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Chiefs general manager Brett Veach arrives to the stadium prior to a game against the Denver Broncos at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-Imagn Images | Denny Medley-Imagn Images

“It’s a unique draft,” Veach said. “There are great players up and down the board. We got a lot of work done in free agency, and have flexibility to add a great player that’s going to come in here and help us win and help us compete. I think we have a lot of work [still] to do on both sides of the ball. We added [running back] Kenneth Walker, and we have some good core pieces on the offensive line in place. Whether it be receiver, edge rusher, or defensive back, I think anything’s in play. It’s hard to say when you’re at nine because you don’t know how the first eight picks are going to go.”

What This Means

Texas Tech's David Bailey looks to the sideline during the Big 12 Conference championship football game, Saturday, Nov. 6, 2025, at AT&T Stadium in Arlington. | Nathan Giese/Avalanche-Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

This would be the correct approach by the front office, as those are the three biggest positions of need for the team entering this month's draft. Now, as Veach states, the Chiefs are at the mercy of the first eight picks. That leads to the thought that Kansas City may be taking the best player available at one of those three positions.

In an ideal scenario, Texas Tech's edge rusher David Bailey is available when the Chiefs are on the clock, considering that Arvell Reese is not realistically going to be an option outside the top five. Nevertheless, it is encouraging to hear that Kansas City's decision-makers are not going to fall into the trap of taking a player with elite physical traits, such as tight end Kenyon Sadiq.

Assessing Top Options at Wide Receiver and Defensive Back

Louisiana State University cornerback Mansoor Delane (4) reacts during the third quarter at Memorial Stadium in Clemson, S.C. Saturday, August 30, 2025. | Ken Ruinard / USA Today Network South Carolina / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

When evaluating the wide receiver and defensive prospects that could be in play for Kansas City at No. 9, there are two players at each position that stand out. At receiver, Carnell Tate and Jordyn Tyson are the most likely options for the Chiefs at this spot.

As for defensive back, LSU cornerback Mansoor Delane and safety Caleb Downs would be excellent picks by Kansas City if the board fell that way.