Four NFL Draft Prospects Chiefs Should Prioritize

With the NFL Draft only a few weeks away, the Kansas City Chiefs are inching closer to finalizing their draft board and beginning their mock draft processes for each selection. With two first-round choices, the Chiefs have the chance to add double the immediate impact on either side of the ball.

Chiefs general manager Brett Veach will take the best player available based on their weighted draft board, though it may be a player who isn't everyone's cup of tea. I wanted to share some prospects who were my favorite watches this year's draft class. This isn't a list of "my guys" players who draft pundits will share online, but players who were exciting to watch on film, regardless of their projection for the NFL Draft.

Sonny Styles, linebacker, Ohio State

Styles Chiefs — Feb 26, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Ohio State linebacker Sonny Styles (LB25) during the NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images | Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

The best linebacker in the draft—the best I've ever evaluated in the nine drafts I have analyzed. Styles didn't miss a single tackle last season until the quarterfinal against Miami when he missed two, showcasing rare instincts, technique, and discipline for a player who hadn't played linebacker his entire career. Styles is likely a Top-10 selection as the best linebacker prospect since Luke Kuechly.

If Styles were to ever fall to Kansas City, it would be a similar situation to when the Panthers drafted Luke Kuechly in 2012: not a big need, but it makes the linebacker room better and the defense a totally different unit with him on the field. Styles was easily one of my favorite watches this pre-draft process, and should be the choice if available at No. 9.

Rueben Bain Jr., edge rusher, Miami Hurricanes

Bain Chiefs — Jan 19, 2026; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Miami Hurricanes defensive lineman Rueben Bain Jr. (4) against the Indiana Hoosiers during the College Football Playoff National Championship game at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

I don't care if Bain has short arms for a pass rusher; his tape is excellent, and it showcases a player who doesn't show many to any issues against the run or pass because of his below-average arm length for the position.

Bain corners, as well as any defensive front player in the draft, provide an ample set of rush moves and counters, are incredibly disruptive from multiple alignments, and would instantly make a team's pass rush better. He is exactly what the Chiefs need at edge rusher opposite of George Karlaftis.

Treydan Stukes, defensive back, Arizona Wildcats

Stukes Chiefs — Nov 28, 2025; Tempe, Arizona, USA; Arizona Wildcats defensive back Treydan Stukes (2) celebrates after defeating the Arizona State Sun Devils during the 99th Territorial Cup at Mountain America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Stukes is an older prospect with an injury history, though it doesn't change the fact that he could be a game-changer on the backend for the Chiefs' defense, whether at nickel or split-safety. Had awesome game film, showcasing incredible football intelligence that matched its closing speed to the football, whether in the air or on the ground.

While the Chiefs did sign Kader Kohou to be the potential starting nickel, Stukes would be a fun chess piece at nickel for Steve Spagnuolo to navigate with.

Antonio Williams, wide receiver, Clemson Tigers

Williams Chiefs — Clemson wide receiver Antonio Williams(0) catches a pass near South Carolina defensive back Jalon Kilgore (24) during the third quarter at Williams-Brice Stadium in Columbia, S.C. Saturday, November 29, 2025. | Ken Ruinard / USA Today Co Inc SC / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Williams is one of my favorite wide receiver prospects in the draft. He isn't a big pass-catcher, but where he wins is what matters most if the Chiefs were to select Williams in Day Two of the draft. The former Clemson standout brings qualities the Chiefs lack at wide receiver: trustworthiness at the catch point, ample route-running ability, and release variance to play inside and out that would give Patrick Mahomes a reliable target in the passing game who can still create after the catch.