The Kansas City Chiefs have a lot of work to do in the 2026 NFL Draft next week. Armed with two first-round picks and four total top-100 selections, the Chiefs can do some real damage and add a lot of talent to their roster. Picking at No. 9 and No. 29 gives Kansas City a lot of flexibility.
The issue is, they have a lot of roster needs to address with those picks — perhaps too many to use a premium pick on all of them. The Chiefs are most commonly connected to wide receivers and cornerbacks in the first round. Both of those positions are critical needs for the Chiefs, but they could also address safety, offensive tackle, edge rusher, or even tight end in the first round.
And Chiefs GM Brett Veach has another idea of a position he wants to address, as well.
Kansas City Chiefs GM Brett Veach on the State of His Defensive Line
GettyHENDERSON, NEVADA – FEBRUARY 07: Chris Jones #95 of the Kansas City Chiefs speaks to the media during Kansas City Chiefs media availability ahead of Super Bowl LVIII at Westin Lake Las Vegas Resort and Spa on February 07, 2024 in Henderson, Nevada. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
On Thursday, Veach held his pre-draft press conference and answered questions from the media on how free agency went and how he wants to approach the draft. When asked about the Chiefs defense, Veach went out of his way to highlight defensive tackle as a position of need.
“And I think really, when you come into the offseason and you look at our defensive line, you have Chris Jones and Omarr Norman-Lott who’s coming off an injury,” Veach said. “I mean, I still think that we need two more. So, [Khyiris Tonga] was a guy who had a great season, and he gives us a little bit more of an athletic nose [tackle] who does have some pass rush ability. But again, even with the addition of Tonga, I still think that we’re a few short there, so that will be a definite position of need for us entering next week.”
It sure sounds like Veach wants to prioritize the defensive tackle position in the draft next week. Does that mean the Chiefs will use one of their first-round picks on the position? That remains to be seen.
Who Could the Chiefs Target at Defensive Tackle in the First Round?
First, this isn’t a class with a defensive tackle worthy of a top-10 pick. That pretty much eliminates the possibility of the Chiefs taking one at No. 9. However, at No. 29, they’re in position to potentially take the first interior defender off the board. Kansas City should have plenty of options there.
The consensus top four defensive tackles in this class are Georgia’s Christen Miller, Florida’s Caleb Banks, Ohio State’s Kayden McDonald, and Clemson’s Peter Woods. The Chiefs hosted Banks on an official visit earlier this month and he’d be a phenomenal fit in their scheme.
Whether the Chiefs use a premium pick at defensive tackle or wait and address the position later, they’ll have plenty of options to choose from.
Brett Veach Says Chiefs Are Still ‘a Few Short’ on Defensive Line Ahead of Draft