An analyst forecasts a bold offensive line selection for the Kansas City Chiefs at No. 9, potentially snagging a rising tackle prospect.
The Kansas City Chiefs are one of several teams with multiple first-round picks going into the 2026 NFL Draft.
The Chiefs have No. 9 and No. 29 overall, and they are one of the more intriguing teams because of the needs they need to address.
Some common predictions at No. 9 have been cornerback, edge rusher and even wide receiver, but offensive line is another area of need that they could address early on Thursday night.
Chad Reuter of NFL.com had some surprises for Round 1, and one of them was the Chiefs taking an offensive lineman. While it's not a surprise, Reuter said they could take Alabama's Kadyn Proctor, who is commonly projected later in the first round.
"A lot of mock drafts project Kansas City to take Francis Mauigoa in the top 10, but I predict the Chiefs select a different offensive tackle at No. 9 overall. Kadyn Proctor fits the team’s prototype for the position and could slip into the starting RT spot following the release of Jawaan Taylor. The gargantuan Alabama product could also stay on the blind side in a scenario where 2025 first-rounder Josh Simmons switches back to right tackle, where he started as a redshirt freshman at San Diego State," Reuter wrote.
The Chiefs selected Simmons last year in the first round, and finding protection for Patrick Mahomes is always a priority for this team and any team with a superstar quarterback.
ESPN's Peter Schrager also named Proctor as one of his rising prospects, although Schrager had Proctor going at No. 13 to the Detroit Lions in a trade-up scenario.
On the other hand, ESPN's Jeremy Fowler said that Proctor is rising up draft boards and Fowler said several OTs could go within the first 15-17 picks, meaning things could definitely change depending on how things go on Thursday night.
The benefit here for Kansas City is that it has another first-round pick. So, if the Chiefs select Proctor or an OL at No. 9, they could take an edge rusher, cornerback or wide receiver at No. 29 and then take another player early in the second round, so they are in a good position either way.
Some other names at No. 9 are Miami edge rusher Rueben Bain Jr. and LSU cornerback Mansoor Delane, and it seems highly possible that both wide receivers Carnell Tate and Jordyn Tyson are off the board before pick No. 9.