The Kansas City Chiefs are heading into the 2026 NFL Draft with a rare opportunity - two picks inside the top 40, including a top-10 selection. That’s not something we’ve seen from this franchise since 2017, when they famously traded up to grab a quarterback named Patrick Mahomes. Safe to say that move worked out.
Now, with Mahomes recovering from a significant injury and the roster needing reinforcements on both sides of the ball, GM Brett Veach and the front office are in a position to reload. And according to ESPN’s Matt Miller’s latest two-round mock draft, the Chiefs could be looking to bolster their defense early.
At No. 9 overall, Miller projects Kansas City to take Texas Tech EDGE rusher David Bailey - a name that should excite fans who’ve been clamoring for more pressure off the edge. Bailey tied for the FBS lead with 14.5 sacks last season, showcasing an explosive first step and relentless motor that made life miserable for opposing quarterbacks.
Now, Bailey doesn’t exactly fit the mold of a typical Steve Spagnuolo defensive end - he’s 6-foot-3, 250 pounds, a bit leaner than the bigger-bodied edge players Spags tends to favor. But what Bailey brings to the table is undeniable: speed, bend, and the ability to close in a hurry. For a Chiefs defense that managed just 35 sacks in 2025 (tied for 22nd in the league), adding a dynamic pass rusher like Bailey could be a game-changer.
This isn’t just about raw production either. Bailey’s tape shows a player who can win in multiple ways - with speed around the edge, inside counters, and the kind of effort that makes coaches fall in love. He’d bring juice to a pass rush that’s lacked consistent punch outside of Chris Jones.
Then, with the 40th overall pick - eighth in the second round - Miller has the Chiefs doubling down on defense, this time selecting USC safety Kamari Ramsey. With Bryan Cook heading into free agency and no clear heir apparent on the roster, Ramsey could be a logical fit in the back end of Spagnuolo’s defense.
Ramsey’s calling card is his range. He’s a true center fielder - a ball-hawking free safety who can operate in both split-safety and single-high looks.
He reads quarterbacks well, closes quickly, and has the instincts to make plays on the ball. In a defense that often asks its safeties to cover a lot of ground, Ramsey would be a natural fit.
Of course, there’s a segment of Chiefs fans who might raise an eyebrow at the idea of going defense with both of the team’s top picks. After all, this is a team that struggled to find consistency at wide receiver last season, and Mahomes could use more help around him - especially coming off an injury. Running back is another area that could use attention.
But the reality is, the Chiefs’ defense has been quietly aging and in need of reinforcements. Adding a top-tier pass rusher and a rangy safety in the first two rounds could set the foundation for a younger, faster, more dynamic unit - one that can keep pace with the explosive offenses around the AFC.
There’s still a long way to go until draft day, and plenty can change between now and then. But if the Chiefs walk away from the first two rounds with a sack artist like Bailey and a high-upside safety like Ramsey, it would be hard to argue they didn’t address two of their biggest needs.
And with Mahomes under center, a stronger defense might be just what this team needs to make another deep playoff push.