Now that the main portion of free agency is completed, it’s time to look forward and identify the biggest needs the Kansas City Chiefs have going into the draft. Although Kansas City addressed running back, nose tackle and defensive back depth in free agency, they still have a number of needs to fill before the season.
Let’s look at nine positions the Chiefs need to address — ranked by importance.
Tier 1: Needs to be addressed with high draft capital
Defensive end
Looking at the Chiefs current roster, it’s hard to argue any other position needs bodies more than defensive end. The Chiefs were thin on pass rushers even before releasing Mike Danna and seeing Charles Omenihu sign with the Washington Commanders in free agency. No additions have been made to replace Danna and Omenihu’s vacated snaps.
Right now, the defensive end rotation would see George Karlaftis and second-year pro Ashton Gillotte, who even with flashy rookie season moments is still unproven, as starters. Former first round selection Felix Anudike-Uzomah, after missing all of 2025, would probably be the third defensive end on this roster.
The Chiefs need to use one of their first few draft selections on a starting-level defensive end — ideally with the ninth overall pick. If not, one of their next two picks (at 29th and 40th overall) has to be a pass rusher. The Chiefs also need to find one more body that’s an upgrade over Anudike-Uzomah. Going into the season with Karlaftis, a high draft pick, a veteran, and Gillotte as the four options should prove a much better spot at the position.
Wide receiver
The second biggest roster need is at wide receiver, even after the Chiefs re-signed Tyquan Thornton in free agency. A starting caliber wideout must be added to the room.
In particular, the Chiefs lack a wide receiver able to play on the outside and beat man coverage. It’s the skillset most needed to tie the room together. The hypothetical receiver addition doesn’t need to be a 6-5 contested catch specialist, but it should be someone who can capably create separation against tight coverage and win downfield.
Tier 2: Needs to be addressed with midround draft picks
Cornerback
These three positions can be ranked in any order, but cornerback stands out as the biggest need.
Nohl Williams and Kristian Fulton played well to close the season the season. However, Williams has still played only a small sample of snaps, and Fulton’s injury history is concerning. Until the last month of the season, Fulton was either injured — or declared a healthy scratch. Because the Chiefs have no depth behind the two, they at least need to add a contingency plan for Fulton.
Safety
One could argue having safety a higher need than cornerback. Even after the addition of Alohi Gilman addition, 2026’s safety room is concerning. A good safety room cannot have Gilmon as its best and most dependable member. Kansas City’s current room of Gilman, Chamarri Connor, and Jaden Hicks raises questions about the run defense. None of the trio have proven helpful run defenders like the team previously had with Bryan Cook and Justin Reid.
Perhaps Hicks has a bounce back season, but one more safety should be added to boost room’s talent — and possibly push Connor and Hicks down in the rotation.
Right tackle
Reasonable arguments could have right tackle as the team’s third-highest need. Jaylon Moore has proven useful, but a career backup that has never held a starting job for an entire season. There is little evidence he will now be able to do so. Beyond Moore, the Chiefs tackle depth of Wanya Morris, Esa Pole, or Chu Godrick have struggled to make a case even to be trusted as swing tackles.
The good news for Kansas City is a deep group of tackle options on Day 2 of the draft. They can possibly find insurance for Moore in 2026 while adding a potential solution for 2027 and beyond.
Tier 3: Needs that can be addressed with Day 3 picks or veteran free agents
Tight end
Bringing back Travis Kelce affords the Chiefs the opportunity to bypass taking a tight end with a high draft pick, but the room still needs depth, particularly with blocking. Backups Noah Gray and Jared Wiley simply aren’t sufficient blockers. If the Chiefs could find an in-line tight end who can contribute with blocking, that would help boost the heavy investment in the run game this offseason.
Fortunately, these players can be found on Day 3 or late into free agency, so the team can be patient.
Defensive tackle
The Chiefs still could draft a defensive tackle in first three rounds, but this class may not align to needs. By signing Khyris Tonga to play the nose tackle, similar players might not be high on the board. Defensive tackle prospects like Ohio State’s Kayden McDonald, Iowa State’s Dominique Orange, Georgia’s Christen Miller, or Texas Tech’s Lee Hunter profile to similar roles, so it might be hard for them to get meaningful snaps with the Chiefs.
Hopefully, second-year player Omarr Norman-Lott’s health allows him to take a step. The room should still add one more player for overall depth.
Linebacker
The Chiefs lost Leo Chenal in free agency without a clear replacement. Hopefully, Jeffrey Bassa can fill in as the third linebacker in his second season, but the room could still use an addition for competition and insurance.
(Short-yardage) running back
The Chiefs did a good job addressing the run game in free agency, but they could still add another back for short yardage situations. Kenneth Walker’s biggest weakness is that he’s not great between the tackles and in short-yardage, so finding someone who could dependably get the needed yard would be ideal. It would also keep hits off of Walker.
Kareem Hunt would make sense in this role — if he wanted to come back.
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