Two Different Winning Paths the Chiefs Can Take in Draft's First Round

Kansas City's first round is monumental towards how the rest of the draft unfolds for an organization looking to bounce back from 2025.

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

With two first-round picks in the 2026 NFL Draft, the Kansas City Chiefs have some flexibility in how they can operate on the opening night of the event.

There have been plenty of discussions about which positions Kansas City should address in the first round, but the team's selections are contingent on how the first eight picks play out. On Tuesday, general manager Brett Veach discussed the No. 9 pick.

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

• “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.”

So when weighing two different paths the Chiefs can take moving forward, which one would fix their issues the quickest?

Scenario 1

Dec 31, 2025; Arlington, TX, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes safety Caleb Downs (2) celebrates a defensive stop during the 2025 Cotton Bowl and quarterfinal game of the College Football Playoff at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images | Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

Pick 9: S, Caleb Downs, Ohio State

Pick 29: Edge, Mason Thomas, Oklahoma

Landing a pass rusher with the ninth pick is the preferred route for Kansas City, but drafting Downs is not a bad consolation prize. The 5-foot-11, 206-pound safety is a top-three prospect in this year's class, and would be the ultimate chess piece in Steve Spagnuolo's defense.

However, Thomas would be a reach at No. 29, as he is projected as a second-round pick. Kansas City would be better off waiting until No. 40 to take the 6-foot-2, 241-pound pass rusher.

Scenario 2

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

No. 9: Edge, Rueben Bain Jr., Miami

No. 29: CB, Chris Johnson, San Diego State

While Downs is the best player in these two scenarios, the Chiefs would benefit more in this hypothetical situation. Veach won't tell anyone outside Kansas City's building, but the front office is hopeful that one of these top pass rushers slips to No. 9.

Fortifying the defense with their two first-round picks is what Chiefs fans should want to see on the opening night of the draft. The San Diego State cornerback may be slightly overvalued in this spot, but the defense is desperate for difference makers on the defensive line and in the secondary.