The Kansas City Chiefs lost a boatload of talent in free agency this offseason, but they will likely get solid value in return on the backend via the 2027 NFL draft.
Dan Barr of NFL Network projected earlier this week that the Chiefs will be the recipients of three compensatory draft picks in 2027: one fourth-round selection and two seventh-round assets.
In free agency this offseason, Kansas City lost cornerback Jaylen Watson to the Los Angeles Rams ($17 million annual average salary), safety Bryan Cook to the Cincinnati Bengals for $13.4 million yearly, linebacker Leo Chenal to the Washington Commanders for $8.3 million per season and quarterback Gardner Minshew to the Arizona Cardinals for $5.8 million in 2026.
Kansas City also saw wide receiver Marquise Brown leave for the Philadelphia Eagles for $5 million, edge-rusher Charles Omenihu depart for $4 million annually from the Commanders and cornerback Joshua Williams join the Tennessee Titans for $3.4 million per year.
“Kansas City can pencil in a fourth-rounder for the loss of Watson, who is being paid as a top-20 corner by the Rams,” Barr wrote. “The signings of [Kenneth] Walker, [Alohi] Gilman and Khyiris Tonga will likely cancel out the losses of Cook, Chenal and Minshew. The Chiefs have a decent shot to pick up seventh-rounders for Brown and Omenihu, with Williams a slightly longer shot to net a seventh because of his lower APY.”
The Chiefs’ three projected compensatory picks trail only the four Barr believes the Green Bay Packers and Seattle Seahawks will each receive.
Chiefs Selected Top-10 NFL Draft Class in 2026, per Analyst
GettyKansas City Chiefs rookie cornerback Mansoor Delane.
Kansas City will use those three projected compensatory picks to bolster next year’s draft after putting together one of the better rookie classes in 2026.
Dane Brugler of The Athletic ranked the Chiefs’ draft this April as the eighth-best league-wide.
“My No. 6 prospect in this class, [Mansoor] Delane, was drafted in that exact spot. It doesn’t matter if he’s in man or zone, press or off coverage, he plays with outstanding route anticipation and spacing to disrupt catch windows,” Brugler wrote. “Kansas City addressed its nickel spot in free agency with Kader Kohou, but he missed last season because of a knee injury. With his urgent athleticism, [CB Jadon] Canady will provide immediate competition for Kansas City’s secondary.”
Chiefs Focused on Improving Defensive Front in NFL Draft, Free Agency
GettyKansas City Chiefs defensive tackle Chris Jones.
Along with signing Tonga in free agency as a defensive tackle to play the role of run-stuffer, Kansas City used two of its top three picks in the 2026 draft to improve its defensive front.
The Chiefs selected defensive tackle Peter Woods out of Clemson with the No. 29 pick. They then added edged defender R Mason Thomas out of Oklahoma with the 40th overall selection in Round 2.
“With star lineman Chris Jones at age 32, Woods should find a willing mentor in the Chiefs’ best defensive player,” ESPN’s Nate Taylor wrote after the draft. “Woods should see plenty of playing time early during his rookie season.”
Chiefs to Benefit From Big-Time Projection After NFL Draft