Chiefs hold two selections in Round 1 of NFL Draft -- but for how long?

WICHITA, Kan. (KWCH) - The Chiefs enter Day 1 of the NFL Draft with two things every team covets -- options and opportunity.

For the first time since 2013, when they selected tackle Eric Fisher No. 1 overall, the Chiefs begin draft night with a top 10 pick -- their first pick clocks in at No. 9.

That’s one pick ahead of where the Chiefs took Patrick Mahomes after trading up to No. 10 in 2017.

And for the first time since 2022, Kansas City owns a pair of first round picks -- the Chiefs acquired the No. 29 pick in a trade with the Rams last month.

Most mock drafts have the Chiefs bolstering the defense with the No. 9 pick after they lost cornerbacks Trent McDuffie (in that trade with the Rams) and Jaylen Watson, along with safety Bryan Cook.

That No. 9 pick could be Ohio State safety Caleb Downs, regarded as a rare premium talent and what is not often viewed as a premium position.

The Chiefs could also select pass rusher Rueben Bain Jr., who led Miami to the national championship game. Or maybe one of the top wide receivers available -- Carnell Tate, Jordyn Tyson or Makai Lemon.

Another possibility is they restock at cornerback with a player such as LSU’s Mansoor Delane.

Those are the options. The opportunity is equally intriguing.

NFL Network analyst Daniel Jeremiah appeared on the Jim Rome Show on Thursday and speculated that with two first-round picks, the Chiefs are a candidate to trade up in the first round, potentially as high as the No. 3 pick.

There, the Chiefs could take the defensive player the Jets pass on at No. 2, Texas Tech edge David Bailey or Ohio State linebacker Arvell Reese.

Another option, maybe the most unlikely, is that the Chiefs move up to No. 3 and take Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love, regarded by many as the draft’s top prospect.

The Chiefs have already signed a running back this offseason -- Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker III, formerly of the Seahawks.

Trading down is another option. With so many mock drafts, predictions and analysis, every possibility has seemingly been explored.

Whatever Kansas City decides on, the Chiefs are looking to come away with at least one franchise cornerstone for Act II of Mahomes’ career.

The Chiefs, after finishing 6-11 in 2025 for their first losing season since 2012, are looking to get younger by surrounding Mahomes and building their defense with more athletic players.

That begins Thursday night with plenty of options and some exciting opportunities.