The Kansas City Chiefs make a bold move by trading up in the first round in this five-round mock draft.
The Kansas City Chiefs have a perfect opportunity to hit a home run in the 2026 NFL Draft.
The Chiefs have the No. 9 overall pick, and they also received the No. 29 pick after trading cornerback Trent McDuffie to the Los Angeles Rams.
It's no secret that the biggest need they have to address is on defense after a flurry of departures, and they have plenty of picks this time to add impact players.
Chad Reuter of NFL.com compiled a new five-round mock draft, and there were some surprises, including the Chiefs trading up from No. 29 to No. 20.
Round 1, No. 9 overall: Miami edge Rueben Bain Jr.
This would be a no-brainer choice for the Chiefs, and Reuter says the Miami star should immediately start from the get-go.
Ohio State star safety Caleb Downs, another potential target, goes at No. 8 to the New Orleans Saints in this rendition of the mock draft, so that takes a big target off the board for Kansas City.
Round 1, No. 20 overall: Chiefs trade with Cowboys, select Alabama OL Kadyn Proctor
This is a monster move for Kansas City, and it adds another talented offensive lineman to the fold.
Here's what Reuter wrote about the trade and the selection.
"The Chiefs give Dallas a third-rounder and swap fifth-round picks to move up nine spots and in front of a few teams potentially interested in Proctor. His massive build is similar to other linemen the team has acquired over the past few years, and it's unclear whether Jaylon Moore is equipped to take over Jawaan Taylor's starting right tackle spot."
A third-round pick to move up nine spots doesn't seem like a bad price to pay, especially for somebody as talented as Proctor.
Round 2, No. 40 overall: Clemson cornerback Avieon Terrell
Terrell has been mocked to Kansas City before, and if the Chiefs pass on a cornerback in Round 1 altogether, expect Round 2 to be a perfect fit to address the need at the position.
Round 4, No. 109 overall: Mississippi State wide receiver Brenen Thompson
The Chiefs could select Carnell Tate or Jordyn Tyson at No. 9 overall, but in this situation, they address more pressing needs and select a WR in Round 4.
Round 5, No. 169 overall: USC safety Bishop Fitzgerald
The Chiefs have three fifth-round picks, and they add another piece to the secondary with the first choice.
Round 5, No. 176 overall: UCLA defensive tackle Gary Smith III
The Chiefs double-dip on defense.
Round 5, No. 177 overall SMU tight end Matthew Hibner
Yes, Travis Kelce is back, but addressing the tight end position makes sense, and if it isn't Oregon star Kenyon Sadiq (who is a first-round pick), it's probably best to take a late flier.