With so much draft capital in the 2026 NFL Draft, it’s fair to expect the Kansas City Chiefs to come away with potential pillars of the roster after draft weekend. Picks No. 9, No. 29 and No. 40 are all in a range to select players that could end up being the best at their position down the road.
In draft analyst and former NFL defensive back Bucky Brooks’ mock draft 3.0 for NFL.com, the Chiefs end up picking the top offensive lineman and tight end in the class, according to consensus rankings.
Pick 9— Miami, OT, JuniorKansas City ChiefsFrancis Mauigoa
After parting ways with Jawaan Taylor, the Chiefs could prioritize finding a long-term solution at right tackle in the 2026 draft. Mauigoa is a terrific option as a heavy-handed edge blocker with quick feet and a nasty temperament.
Pick 29 — Oregon, TE, JuniorKansas City ChiefsKenyon Sadiq
Despite the fact that Travis Kelce just signed a three-year deal, the 36-year-old’s best days are behind him. But he could show this explosive pass catcher the ropes in Kansas City, where Andy Reid has no problem incorporating multiple tight ends. Sadiq’s ultra-athletic game would be a boon to Patrick Mahomes, allowing the quarterback to continue attacking the middle of the field for the foreseeable future.
The Athletic’s consensus top 100 places Mauigoa as the 10th-ranked overall prospect, and Sadiq is 14th.
My analysis
Brooks gives the Chiefs Mauigoa over potential defensive starters like cornerback Mansoor Delane from LSU or edge rusher Rueben Bain Jr. from Miami. The pick is also made with USC wide receiver Makai Lemon available.
The big question: Is Mauigoa good enough to be on the top of the Chiefs’ board if he falls to pick No. 9?
In many mock drafts, Mauigoa is drafted by the team’s first selection, but the experienced right tackle could be a short-term and long-term boost to the Chiefs’ offense.
As a five-star recruit from near Tampa Bay, Florida, Mauigoa started at right tackle immediately and has compiled 2,801 snaps at the position over three years playing for the Hurricanes. Over the last two years, he has allowed three sacks and five quarterback hits; in total, he has given up 34 pressures according to Pro Football Focus.
The 20-year-old was called for 12 penalties over the last two seasons. He was tied for drawing the ninth-most flags of all starting offensive tackles for Power Four-conference teams.
Mauigoa measured at 6 feet 5 1/2 inches and 329 pounds at the NFL Scouting Combine, showing off a hand size of 10 5/8 inches and arms at 33 1/4 inches.
There are fewer questions about choosing Sadiq with the 29th selection.
The top tight end in the class has attention-grabbing athleticism, putting it on display at the Combine. Measuring in at 6 feet 3 inches tall and 241 pounds, with 10-inch hands and 31 1/2-inch arms, Sadiq ran the fastest time for a tight end in 40-yard dash history (4.39 seconds).
He also hit 43 1/2 inches on the vertical jump and 11 feet 1 inch on the broad jump; those are the top 2 or top 3 all-time marks at his position.
The debate has been whether Sadiq would be worth selecting in the top 10, but the rare speed that he possesses makes him a worthwhile pick later on Day 1. If the organization can’t find a way to draft a receiver early on draft weekend, this is an exciting consolation prize.
At the University of Oregon, Sadiq made the majority of his impact on downfield throws. In 2025, five of Sadiq’s eight touchdowns came on passes with 20 or more air yards, despite only nine targets that fit that situation. Three of those touchdowns came on throws down the middle of the field, pointing to his vertical ability up the seams.
Over three years in the Ducks’ offense, Sadiq aligned in the slot for 53% of his pass snaps. He has raw athleticism that can be tapped into even more than it was with Oregon, and that includes blocking.
He has good fundamentals that show up when blocking in space, but a lack of play strength limits his reliability in-line to make routine blocks at the line of scrimmage.
That’s what makes Sadiq an intriguing flyer with pick No. 29 rather than pick No. 9. It feels like he will boost the passing offense at a bare minimum, but he has the ceiling of a Vernon Davis-level playmaker at tight end.
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