The 2026 NFL Draft will kick off in just two weeks in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and the Kansas City Chiefs find themselves in an unusual position. For the first time since the 2017 draft, when the Chiefs selected quarterback Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City is picking in the top 10.
Will the Chiefs Target SEC Star Jermod McCoy in the First Round?
This has left analysts debating the direction the Chiefs will take with their first draft selection. Experts agree that the team needs to boost its defensive front and passing game. This leaves edge rusher, wide receiver, and defensive tackle as the three top picks.
The Chiefs have two first-round picks in 2026, Nos. 9 and 29. The No. 9 pick is their assigned first-round selection after finishing 6-11 in 2025. They also acquired pick No. 29 from the Los Angeles Rams as part of their extensive trade package for Trent McDuffie.
Many assume they will go after Rueben Bain Jr. or Cashius Howell and wait to draft offensive weapons and secondary depth until Day 2. ESPN’s Matt Miller recently addressed the rumors he’s been hearing about the Chiefs and where they will go in the first round.
“In talking to sources both in Kansas City and around the league, there seems to be no strong indicator of where the Chiefs will go with either of their first-round picks,” Miller wrote. “The Chiefs will see how the board falls and have needs at core positions such as offensive tackle, wide receiver, edge rusher, defensive tackle and cornerback. A hot name to watch at corner is Jermod McCoy (Tennessee) … if he makes it to No. 9.”
McCoy was quickly making a name for himself when he tore his ACL in January 2025. His recovery kept him off the field all of last season. However, in 2024, he earned a PFSN CB Impact metric score of 87.9, or a B.
Assuming he makes a full recovery, McCoy proved to be highly athletic, if not the fastest accelerator on go routes. He has strong ball skills, and his football IQ is expected to continue to improve as he settles into the pros. In PFSN’s draft evaluation of McCoy, he earned a Relative Athletic Score of 9.67.
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Ultimately, with the No. 9 and No. 29 picks at their disposal, the Chiefs possess a golden opportunity to aggressively retool a roster hungry for a rebound. If McCoy can fully recover from his ACL tear, his raw athleticism and developing football IQ could make him the steal of the first round.
However, the board falls in Pittsburgh, Kansas City is poised to be a major disruptor, and the rest of the league will be watching closely to see how they capitalize on this unfamiliar yet incredibly powerful draft position.
