Kansas
Men’s college basketball Top 25: Why Kansas is the hardest team in the sport to rank
The hardest team to figure out where to rank in college basketball is Kansas, and the biggest question I have is, what is the NCAA Tournament selection committee going to do with this team?
I ranked the Jayhawks 13th this week, which is what their season-long body of work suggests is the right spot. Using the quality-based metrics average at Bart Torvik, Kansas is 13th. Using the resume-based average, KU is 12th.
The selection committee in the past has taken into consideration results that were affected by an injury to a star player. Let’s say KU, for instance, has a similar resume to teams battling for the No. 3 or 4 seeds. Because Darryn Peterson missed however many games he’ll end up missing — 10 so far — then KU might get the bump to the 3-line.
Of course, that’s assuming Kansas has Peterson at full strength for the NCAA Tournament.
We saw what that could look like on Saturday, when the Jayhawks outscored BYU 53-33 in the first half, and Peterson scored 18 points on 6-of-7 shooting, coming off an 11-day absence from spraining his ankle against Colorado on Jan. 20.
Then, as has become customary, the Peterson experience got weird and confusing. He asked to come out early in the second half and never returned because of “cramps.” Out of the 11 games he has played, he has played to the buzzer only once — that was the CU game when he finished on a sprained ankle. It’s possible Peterson was out of shape Saturday after barely practicing since that injury, and maybe that led to him just not feeling right once he got tired. Or maybe it was a hydration issue. Or maybe he had a salty meal on Friday night. Trying to push theories or figure out what’s going on will make your head hurt, but man, it sure is fun watching him when he’s on the floor.
The Jayhawks are figuring out how to play with Peterson and he’s figuring out how to play with them, and they’ve looked elite for stretches in the last three weeks. They’ve won five straight, which started with a drubbing of Iowa State. When Peterson is on the floor over that stretch, KU is outscoring its opponents by 32.4 points per 100 possessions, per CBB Analytics.
If Peterson ever gets to the point where his injury/cramping issues are a thing of the past and he can be the most talented basketball player in the country without any “buts,” KU is a legitimate title contender.
It will be simpler if that happens before the NCAA Tournament, so the selection committee has an idea of what they’re working with when it comes to Kansas. But if it continues to play out how it has already, the committee might just need to use the season-long results without any caveats. That’s my current approach.
More below on KU and the defensive abilities of Flory Bidunga, plus why Arizona’s interior defense is so good, why Michigan didn’t get rattled when it lost its lead at Michigan State, Duke’s Cameron Boozer’s pick-and-roll prowess, Illinois’ smart attack against Nebraska, Gonzaga finding a dominant defensive lineup, Florida exploiting Alabama’s game plan and Saint Louis in an exclusive 40-40 club.
Dropped out: None
Keeping an eye on: Texas A&M, Iowa, UCF, Villanova, Kentucky, Auburn
1. Arizona (22-0)
Arizona 7-foot-2 center Motiejus Krivas is one of the best rim protectors in the country. Opponents are shooting 48.6 percent at the rim when Krivas is in the game, per CBB Analytics, and it’s not just his shot blocking that opponents have to fear. Krivas has active hands and gets a lot of strips once someone comes to a stop in the paint — usually worried about trying to score with him in the vicinity — and whenever someone does let go of the ball, he is like a goalie, able to block shots or steal passes.
Krivas has a steal in five straight games and 15 “stocks” (steals plus blocks) over that stretch.
Krivas played only eight games last year because of a foot injury, and his return is one big reason for Arizona’s improvement in 2-point defense (from 47.5 percent to 43.7) and defensive turnover rate (16.2 percent to 18.1). One question coming into the season was if Arizona would miss center Henri Veesaar, who broke out last year in Krivas’ absence and transferred to North Carolina. Veesaar has been great for the Heels, but if it was a decision between the two, it appears coach Tommy Lloyd made the right one with how elite Arizona’s defense has been.
2. Michigan (20-1)
My wife watched Michigan-Michigan State with me Friday. Her one observation: Coach Dusty May always looks like he’s smiling. Blow an 18-point lead? Still smiling. Michigan State takes the lead with 7:27 left? Still smiling. May doesn’t allow for the emotions of the game to get him too worked up. It’s Brad Stevens-esque.
His team reflected that unnerved approach. Once the Spartans took the lead, the Wolverines closed the game by scoring 28 points in their final 13 possessions.
The dagger was this after-timeout play below. Spain is one of the most popular actions in basketball. It’s a ball screen followed by a back screen for the screener. It looked like that’s what the Wolverines were running, then instead of setting the back screen, Morez Johnson Jr. slipped to the bucket:
That’s smart action and an awesome response by Michigan on the road against its rival, and there were stretches where May’s club looked like Players Era Michigan again.
4. Duke (20-1)
Last season, coach Jon Scheyer utilized the playmaking of Cooper Flagg by using him in as a ball handler in pick-and-rolls. According to Synergy, Duke ran a Flagg P&R 5.5 times per game.
Scheyer has similarly used Cameron Boozer this year but not quite as frequently — 3.3 times per game. That could be changing. Boozer is clearly Duke’s best creator and he’s become the point forward. He averaged 4.5 assists per game in January and had at least three assists in every game.
His unselfishness is clear when examining his pick-and-roll usage. Out of the 69 P&R plays he has initiated, he has attempted only 26 shots himself. On Saturday, Boozer had a season-high eight P&R plays, and he passed five times, accounting for two assists and a hockey assist.
Another reason to believe Scheyer will continue to increase his P&R usage? Duke is now scoring 1.203 points per possession on those plays, per Synergy, which bests Flagg’s mark (1.008). He’s also only one-tenth behind Flagg’s assists per game, and he’s averaging 23.5 points per game compared to Flagg’s 19.2 and doing so with higher efficiency numbers. Pretty amazing that, as good as Flagg was last season, Boozer has been even better on the offensive end.
My concerns with Duke have been point guard play, but Point Boozer might negate that mattering as much as it would with most teams.
5. Illinois (19-3)
The Illini did as good a job as anyone this season at attacking Nebraska’s no-middle defense. Illinois either attacked from the middle of the floor to avoid playing in a crowd or found cutters in the middle of the lane once they drew two to the ball:
The ball movement from @IlliniMBB >>
📺: FS1 pic.twitter.com/ASiOmFgKLq
— Big Ten Men’s Basketball (@B1GMBBall) February 1, 2026
That touch pass from Tomislav Ivisic was a thing of beauty, as was the ball movement.
The Illini are at their best simply playing out of concepts and waiting for a great shot to develop. As I’ve written ad nauseam now, Illinois went to another level once freshman Keaton Wagler moved to point guard following the UConn loss. In the 14 games since, the Illini have scored 1.2 points per possession or better in 12. They’re 13-1 over that stretch with the only loss coming on a buzzer-beater against the Huskers, and they’ve now avenged that loss. They keep winning even without senior leader Kylan Boswell. If UConn ends up losing a couple of games in the Big East, the Big Ten could end up with two No. 1 seeds, and the Illini are building a worthy resume with back-to-back road wins at Purdue and Nebraska.
9. Gonzaga (22-1)
Gonzaga has had to lean into its defense since losing Braden Huff to a knee injury, and coach Mark Few has certainly gotten the message across. The Zags are the best defensive team in the country over the last five games since Huff’s injury, according to Torvik’s tracking.
They may be getting better on that end, too. Few might have found a killer defensive combo in Saturday’s 73-65 over Saint Mary’s. His finishing lineup, from the eight-minute mark to the 35-second mark, included the trio of Tyon Grant-Foster, Emmanuel Innocenti and Jalen Warley. The Gaels had four turnovers and shot just 1-of-7 over that stretch.
Those three can cover so much ground that just about every shot is contested when they’re on the floor together. As the broadcasters referenced, Few has said that Grant-Foster blocks more jump shots than any player he’s ever coached. (He has eight this season.) And in the 37 minutes the trio has shared the floor, opponents have scored just 0.801 points per possession, shot 17.2 percent from 3 and their “Hakeem” percentage (the sum of a team’s block percentage and steal percentage) is 35.2, per CBB Analytics. (For reference, Seton Hall has the best Hakeem percentage for a team at 33.5.)
Those are dominant defensive numbers. It’ll be interesting to see if Few starts playing those three together more frequently.
13. Kansas (16-5)
Bill Self surprised BYU by starting with center Flory Bidunga guarding star AJ Dybantsa on Saturday. Dybantsa was hesitant to attack Bidunga early, not taking a shot for the first eight minutes of the game.
The numbers bear out Self’s decision: In Big 12 play, I watched every possession where Bidunga ended up isolated against a perimeter player who finished the play. For those who tried to attack him inside the arc off the bounce, they turned it over twice and shot 6-of-18, with Bidunga blocking eight of those 12 misses. He also fouled twice. When he was close enough to contest a 3, those shooters were 1-of-7.
After two years of trying to build a defense that hid center Hunter Dickinson and keep him off the perimeter, Self now has a switchable star at center.
14. Florida (16-6)
Alabama decided not to guard Florida’s bigs on Sunday, and that was a mistake. The lack of pressure allowed the Gator big men to pick apart the defense with their passing and also set screens or initiate dribble-handoffs that allowed the recipient to easily turn the corner.
And once the Florida bigs got close to the basket, it was easier for them to throw passes to each other in tight quarters because they were playing at a different altitude.
high-low will go ‼️‼️
📺 ABC pic.twitter.com/mNWcsJ1dW0
— Florida Gators Men’s Basketball (@GatorsMBK) February 1, 2026
With the lack of pressure, the Gators scored 100 points and finished with just two turnovers in a high-possession game. Their 2.6 turnover percentage was the lowest ever against a Nate Oats defense.
The narrative that the SEC doesn’t have any great teams might need an adjustment. Florida is now up to No. 6 at KenPom and has both the most efficient offense and best defense in the SEC in conference games.
18. Saint Louis (21-1)
Saint Louis could join the 40-40 club this season, shooting 40-plus percent from 3 and attempting at least 40 percent of their shots from deep. Since the 3-point line moved back in 2019-20, only three teams (BYU in 2019-20, Purdue Fort Wayne in 2020-21 and Colgate in 2021-22) have hit that mark.
Against Division I opponents, the Billikens are knocking down 41.1 percent of their 3s with a 44.8 3-point rate. Usually, percentages fall once the competition picks up, but SLU is shooting an absurd 46.2 percent from deep in conference play on a 46.6 3-point rate. The Billikens made 17 of 28 3s in Friday’s win over Dayton.
They get them in a lot of ways, but one of the hardest actions to guard is dribble-handoffs, particularly with Trey Green because of his range. Green can take a DHO from near the half-court logo, an area where you’d think it’d be safe to go under, but it’s not:
Across the board, SLU’s shooting numbers look made up, and this is one of those categories. As a team, the Billikens are shooting 51.1 percent on DHO-generated 3s, per Synergy, and Green is at 62.5 percent.
Do yourself a favor and make the Billikens appointment television.
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Kansas
Final 7-Round Kansas City Chiefs 2026 NFL Mock Draft: Putting my skills to the test against an AI trained to think like Brett Veach
I trained my AI to think and draft like Kansas City Chiefs GM Brett Veach. Then I challenged it to a duel for my final 2026 NFL Mock Draft.
YouTube/Chiefs
You’re going to see a lot of final mock drafts for the Kansas City Chiefs this week, but I decided to make mine a little bit differently this year.
I wanted to give Chiefs fans an idea of what I would do while also adding a predictive element. What I settled on was a dueling mock draft against an AI trained to think like Chiefs GM Brett Veach.
How did I train my AI? First, I uploaded Veach’s draft history since he took over as general manager following the 2017 NFL Draft. Then, I fed it pre-draft and post-draft press conference transcripts to give the AI context on how Veach views the NFL Draft. I weighted the more recent press conferences more heavily. From there, I uploaded historical data on key thresholds at specific position groups. It had access to confirmed combine formals and pre-draft meetings with 2026 NFL Draft prospects, along with historical context on their importance.
I also uploaded the Chiefs’ stats from last season so the AI could quantify areas that needed improvement relative to NFL averages. The final piece of the puzzle was to upload the Chiefs’ 90-man offseason roster and team needs.
To execute the mock draft, I used the A to Z Sports NFL Mock Draft Simulator. I provided the AI with the list of the 10 best available players at a given pick. I made my picks before the AI, but I didn’t tell it who I had chosen. The AI was prompted to use all available data to make a decision for each draft pick. With all that in mind, here’s a look at how the mock draft competition turned out.
Final Kansas City 2026 NFL Mock Draft
Pick No. 9
Top available: Mansoor Delane, Caleb Downs, Jordyn Tyson, Spencer Fano, Makai Lemon, Monroe Freeling, Jermod McCoy, Kenyon Sadiq, Ola Ioane, and Keldric Faulk.
My pick: Arizona State WR Jordyn Tyson
Solving for the Chiefs’ need for “the guy” on offense in the future just feels like the right move for this draft class. Travis Kelce can’t play forever. Add Tyson and get back to scoring 30+ per game.
What AI Brett Veach did: Auburn DE Keldric Faulk
Edge rusher was the No. 1 need that I provided to the AI. At 6-foot-6 and 275 pounds with 34-inch arms, Faulk meets virtually every Chiefs threshold from a physical standpoint. It’s not an exciting pick for fans, but even a robot can see the upside here.
Pick No. 29
Top available: Kadyn Proctor, Akheem Mesidor, Caleb Banks, Cash Howell, T.J. Parker, CJ Allen, Denzel Boston, Chris Johnson, R Mason Thomas, and Colton Hood.
My pick: Tennessee CB Colton Hood
I’m becoming increasingly comfortable with the idea of taking a cornerback early. The old NFL adage goes that you can never have too many cornerbacks, and the Chiefs need bodies there. Not just for 2026, but also for the long term. Hood gives you a physical man coverage corner who can play outside, but probably crosstrains inside, too.
What AI Brett Veach did: Alabama OT Kadyn Proctor
Offensive tackle wasn’t rated as highly on the AI’s needs list. However, the Chiefs did have a top-30 visit with Proctor. I think it probably took note of Brett Veach’s comments about offensive tackle drying up by pick No. 35. He also hits some athleticism thresholds, despite missing on one key measurable (arm length).
Pick No. 40
Top available: Caleb Banks, Chris Johnson, R Mason Thomas, Denzel Boston, Chris Bell, Zion Young, Christen Miller, Chris Brazzell, D’Angelo Ponds, and Gabe Jacas.
My pick: Florida DT Caleb Banks
There are obviously some questions regarding the nagging foot injury. Plus, there’s still some development and pad-level issues to work out. I just think the 6-foot-6, 310-pound defender would really thrive by learning from Chris Jones.
What AI Brett Veach did: Florida DT Caleb Banks
What a copycat. Based on the information I gave the AI, this doesn’t surprise me. Banks had the medical top-30 visit with Kansas City. Veach, of course, mentioned needing two more defensive linemen in this class during his pre-draft presser. This just makes me feel even more strongly that this is a no-brainer pick if he’s available at pick No. 40.
Pick No. 74
Top available: Ted Hurst, Davison Igbinosun, Dom Orange, Antonio Williams, Jonah Coleman, Genesis Smith, Caleb Tiernan, Dani Dennis-Sutton, Will Lee III, and Keionte Scott.
My pick: Penn State DE Dani Dennis-Sutton
A member of the 2026 All-Juice Team, Dennis-Sutton feels like he was built in a lab solely for Steve Spagnuolo. He hits all of the physical thresholds, but also is quietly one of the more productive players at the position.
What AI Brett Veach did: Georgia State WR Ted Hurst
I think this might have been a “best player available” pick for the AI. Hurst took a pre-draft visit with the Chiefs, and wide receiver is pretty high on the needs list. It makes sense why the AI Brett Veach would value him here.
Pick No. 109
Top available: Brian Parker, Nick Singleton, Isaiah World, Oscar Delp, Dontay Corleone, Bud Clark, Kaleb Proctor, Harold Perkins, Emmett Johnson, and Charles Demmings.
My pick: TCU S Bud Clark
A versatile safety prospect for the Chiefs. Clark has ball skills for days, with four consecutive college football seasons with 3 or more interceptions. At 6-foot-1 and 188 pounds, he’s also a physical presence in run support. He fits the Spags mold.
What AI Brett Veach did: Stephen F. Austin CB Charles Demmings
Cornerback also ranked highly on the needs list, so I can see how the AI prioritized this position group at this pick. Veach also has a history of drafting FCS talent, including Fayetteville State CB Joshua Williams and Western Illinois DT Khalen Saunders. Demmings fits the mold for what K.C. likes at the cornerback spot in terms of physicality and athleticism.
Pick No. 148
Top available: Sam Roush, Kevin Coleman, Jalon Kilgore, Billy Schrauth, Kaleb Elarms-Orr, Ephesians Prysock, Justin Jefferson, Zane Durant, Logan Taylor, and Jeff Caldwell.
My pick: Stanford TE Sam Roush
I’m a big Roush fan. He’s already one of the better blocking tight ends in the class, but I also think there’s big upside as a pass-catcher. He has a 6-foot-6 and 267-pound frame. Plus, he’s a legacy player in Kansas City.
What AI Brett Veach did: South Carolina DB Jalon Kilgore
Nickel/safety versatility probably appealed to the AI here. There’s also really good ball production with eight career interceptions and 21 passes broken up. I think he’s rather role-limited in the NFL, but the AI could’ve done a whole lot worse at pick No. 148.
Pick No. 169
Top available: Landon Robinson, Josh Cameron, Caden Curry, Taureen York, Demon Claiborne, Domani Jackson, Eli Raridon, Cade Klubnik, J.C. Davis, and Keagen Trost.
My pick: Illinois OT J.C. Davis
I hadn’t taken an offensive tackle yet, so this felt right. This one is a bit of a homer pick as Davis played for my UNM Lobos before transferring to play for my Fighting Illini. If the Chiefs wait on offensive tackle, he’s the one I’d want them to target.
What AI Brett Veach did: Navy DT Landon Robinson
Doubling up on the pass-rushing interior defensive linemen. I see you, Brett Veach AI. Robinson is undersized, but his athleticism and production are absolutely worth taking a chance on. Being the top-ranked player on the list I gave to the AI probably played a part in this decision.
Pick No. 176
Top available: Jeremiah Wright, Ar’Maj Reed-Adams, Mikail Kamara, Marlin Klein, Adam Randall, Trey Moore, Jakobe Thomas, Nick Barrett, Kaelon Black, and Febechi Nwaiwu.
My pick: Michigan LB Jimmy Rolder
Call it a reach on my part, as Rolder is 201 on the A to Z Sports big board. Only a one-year starter. Instinctive with impressive closing speed at 6-foot-2 and 238 pounds. He’s someone who could slot in as a SAM linebacker in 2026, but potentially develop into the green-dot-wearer down the line.
What AI Brett Veach did: Indiana RB Kaelon Black
I noted three things the Chiefs still needed at running back in team needs for the AI: Pass protection, short-yardage, and return specialists. Black (5-foot-10, 210 pounds) can handle the first two, at the very least. The one thing I found interesting here is that running back was very low on my AI’s needs list.
Pick No. 210
Top available: Tyren Montgomery, John Michael Gyllenborg, Robert Spears-Jennings, Skyler Gill-Howard, Diego Pounds, Carver Willis, Caleb Douglas, Eli Heidenreich, Red Murdock, and George Gumbs Jr.
My pick: Florida EDGE George Gumbs Jr.
Gumbs felt like that developmental speed-rusher prototype that the Chiefs want, but haven’t really hit on. He’s long (6-foot-6 with 34-inch arms), springy, super-athletic, and the flash plays look really good. It’s just all about further development and consistency.
What AI Brett Veach did: Buffalo LB Khalil “Red” Murdock
The AI got a little sassy with me and spat out Red’s government name. I feel like Brett Veach’s recent comments about the linebacker position stuck with the AI here. I also feel like it valued Murdock’s production (364 tackles and 17 forced fumbles in his career).
Final verdict
Charles Goldman’s Final 2026 NFL Mock Draft:
- 9: Arizona State WR Jordyn Tyson
- 29: Tennessee CB Colton Hood
- 40: Florida DT Caleb Banks
- 74: Penn State EDGE Dani Dennis-Sutton
- 109: TCU S Bud Clark
- 148: Stanford TE Sam Roush
- 169: Illinois OT J.C. Davis
- 176: Michigan LB Jimmy Rolder
- 210: Florida EDGE George Gumbs Jr.
AI Brett Veach’s Final 2026 NFL Mock Draft:
- 9: Auburn DE Keldric Faulk
- 29: Alabama OT Kadyn Proctor
- 40: Florida DT Caleb Banks
- 74: Georgia State WR George Hurst
- 109: SFA CB Charles Demmings
- 148: South Carolina DB Jalon Kilgore
- 169: Navy DT Landon Robinson
- 176: Indiana RB Kaelon Black
- 210: Buffalo LB Red Murdock
Overall, I was surprised by how well the AI drafted. My draft feels a bit more top-heavy with the instant-impact contributors, but I think the AI might’ve actually done a better job on Day 3. That felt especially Brett Veach-like, given his history and penchant for finding late-round steals.
If I do this again next year, I think I’ll feed the AI some of our draft rankings at A to Z Sports to give it better context. It had access to prospect data, but not any specific set of rankings. That’s probably the one area this experiment failed. The only context it had for “best” was the order of the 10 players I gave it to choose from at each pick. If I had the ability to “reach” as I did at 176, the AI should be able to.
KSHB 41 reporter Tod Palmer covers sports business and eastern Jackson County, including Independence. Share your story idea with Tod.
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It’s not sexy. I know it’s not sexy. But I’ve come around to the idea that the Kansas City Chiefs will pick an offensive tackle in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft for the second consecutive year.
Trading back a few spots from No. 9 and picking up an extra second-round pick, an option that popped up on a couple mock-draft simulations, would be ideal, in my opinion, but it remains to be seen if the right scenario materializes Thursday in Pittsburgh.
Maybe the Chiefs get lucky and Ohio State wide receiver Carnell Tate falls into their lap. His downfield ball-tracking skills would energize Kansas City’s offense, but I don’t see him sliding that far.
General Manager Brett Veach singled out four positions Thursday when asked for his thoughts about Kansas City’s first first-round pick — defensive back, offensive line, edge rusher and receiver — so it’s a good bet that’s the player pool from which the Chiefs will be picking.
“We need help in all of those areas,” Veach said. “I do think that we will be in a position there to get one of those players and then add throughout the course of the draft.”
Chiefs GM Brett Veach looks ahead to 2026 NFL Draft in Pittsburgh
The Chiefs may have some intriguing defensive-back options, including Ohio State safety Caleb Downs or LSU cornerback Mansoor Delane.
But the most mocked player to Kansas City is Miami (Florida) edge Rueben Bain Jr., who set the College Football Playoff on fire.
If the Chiefs aren’t sold on Bain and find a partner to move back a few spots, picking the top remaining offensive tackle on their board, USC wide receiver Makai Lemon or Oregon tight end Kenyon Sadiq would be solid choices in that 12 to 16 range.
But if Kansas City stays put, Veach seemed to hint that OL may be a priority.
“I think you’re going to get a massive run of offensive linemen from 10 to 20, 25,” Veach said. “I think there are numbers there, but when you get to pick 35, those numbers quickly diminish, and then there’s a big fall off.”
Veach suggested edge rusher as a position with depth into the third round, which could be a ruse, or signal that the Chiefs’ staff is locked in on adding to the offensive line earlier than expected.
Last season’s first-round pick, Josh Simmons, showed flashes as a rookie after winning the left tackle job, but health has been an issue for him two years in a row now (at Ohio State and in the NFL). Jaylon Moore is a serviceable option at right tackle after Jawaan Taylor was released, but he needs to clean up his technique in pass protection.
Depth is a major issue with Esa Pole, Wanya Morris and Ethan Driskell listed as the primary backups at offensive tackle.
Some simulations I ran had the top eight OT prospects gone before the Chiefs’ second pick at No. 29, which is why adding another quality piece — even if it’s in the top 10 — would make a lot of sense.
“Offensive line, there is some talent there, but I do think it dries up quickly and by 35 it could be slim pickings,” Veach said.
FIRST ROUND
Michael Laughlin/AP
No. 9 overall — DE Rueben Bain Jr., Miami (Florida)
The Chiefs haven’t picked this high since snagging Eric Fisher from Central Michigan with the first overall pick in 2013.
If Steve Spagnuolo loves Bain’s motor and production enough to overlook questions* about his frame, I think he’s the pick, if available.
*Editor’s note: It doesn’t seem like the deadly March 2024 crash will impact Bain’s draft stock substantially. NFL evaluators apparently have known about it much longer than it’s been public.
Of the 11 NFL defenses with at least 100 quarterback hits last season, only Baltimore converted that pressure into fewer sacks.
Kansas City’s 35 sacks in 2025 were tied for 22nd in the league. Advanced metrics — like QB knockdown and pressure percentages, per Pro Football Reference — were more kind, but the Chiefs also had the third-highest blitz percentage (31.3%).
Generating pass-rush production from the front four would take pressure off the secondary and improve the unit’s third-down defense, which was a glaring weakness a season ago.
Bain was productive from the moment he walked onto the Hurricanes’ campus, racking up 33 1/2 tackles for loss and 20 1/2 sacks in 38 career games.
That said, if Tate or Downs are available, I would be tempted, even if Bain is there, given concerns that his short arms will limit his pass-rush ability in the NFL.
The Chiefs’ deep passing game has disappeared since trading away Tyreek Hill. Tate possesses the elite downfield ball-tracking skills to help Patrick Mahomes conjure magic again, especially if Kenneth Walker III forces teams to play the offense more honestly.
Meanwhile, Downs would be an ideal addition to Spags’ defense.
I get that safety isn’t a “premium” position and it would fly in the face of Veach’s traditional draft strategy, but Downs possesses the versatility, elite instincts, sure tackling, coverage skills, leadership and football IQ to thrive in Kansas City.
Safety is also a position of need with Bryan Cook’s departure and a position the Chiefs have splurged at in the past (Tyrann Mathieu and Justin Reid), so I wouldn’t rule it out.
If Bain, Downs and Tate aren’t available, I think Kansas City goes for its favorite tackle prospect, perhaps Utah’s Spencer Fano or Miami’s Francis Mauigoa.
Personally, I prefer Fano, who appears to be slightly quicker and was a better finisher on tape, but I trust the Chiefs’ evaluation. Given Simmons’ health/injury history and Moore’s inconsistency in pass protection, it wouldn’t be a bad decision, especially with Mahomes coming off major knee surgery.
Delane also would be an option, but — assuming Downs and Tate are gone — Bain or a tackle prospect seems more likely.
In reality, after the top three picks, the draft could get really weird, really fast, so it’s hard to forecast what the board will look like when the Chiefs pick.
Jacob Kupferman/AP
No. 29 overall — OT Blake Miller, Clemson
Acquired from Los Angeles Rams in Trent McDuffie trade
Obviously, the first pick will influence the Chiefs’ decision later, but I’m convinced Veach will address offensive tackle in the first round — and prepared to be wrong about that.
But Kansas City wants to build from the trenches, and Miller will push for the right tackle job immediately upon entering the building.
If the Chiefs prefer Utah’s Caleb Lomu, moving up could be an option.
Similarly, if Arizona State wide receiver Jordyn Tyson slides because of injury concerns, Veach may pounce. It’s too big a risk at No. 9, in my opinion, but Kansas City has shown itself to be more comfortable with complicated medical histories than a lot of teams.
Tennessee cornerback Colton Hood or Ohio State defensive tackle Kayden McDonald also make sense at the end of the first round.
SECOND ROUND
John Raoux/AP
No. 40 overall — DT Caleb Banks, Florida
The trend continues with another addition in the trenches.
Depending on how the board falls, Missouri’s Zion Young could be an option if the Chiefs haven’t addressed edge rusher yet. Veach made it clear the team needs to get younger and add multiple pieces on the defensive interior as well, even after signing Khyiris Tonga.
Banks offers uncommon athleticism for the position, giving him a degree of pass-rush upside from defensive tackle that the draft is lacking overall.
Honestly, it’s a terrible draft for DTs, but Banks might have the most raw talent of the bunch. He didn’t break out as expected in 2025, and the history of foot injuries is a concern, which may push him into the Chiefs’ range early in the second round.
THIRD ROUND
Mark Humphrey/AP
No. 74 overall — WR Ted Hurst, Georgia State
This feels like the sweet spot for a potential impact wide receiver if Kansas City doesn’t land one in the first round.
I went with Hurst, a 6-foot-4 late bloomer with an insane catch radius. He’s been climbing draft boards fast after a strong Combine showing, and there are concerns about drops, but he’s improved every season in college and brings natural ball-tracking skill combined with size and speed.
Ole Miss’ De’Zhaun Stribling and Indiana’s Elijah Sarratt also could be options in this range, if the Chiefs want to add a big-bodied receiver.
Stribling is the fastest of the bunch, while Hurst has a ridiculous 79 7/8-inch wingspan in addition to being the youngest of the bunch.
Meanwhile, all Sarratt did was produce, including 118 catches for 1,787 yards with 23 touchdowns in two seasons at Indiana. He had 44 touchdown catches overall in four seasons, including a season at Saint Francis (Pennsylvania) and one at James Madison, before joining Curt Cignetti when he moved to the Hoosiers.
If the Chiefs are looking for a smaller receiver with elite speed, Mississippi State’s Brenen Thompson fits the bill. He didn’t do much as a freshman at Texas or in two seasons at Oklahoma, but Brenen broke out last season with the Bulldogs.
This is also the projected range for Georgia’s Zachariah Branch, who is smaller but could handle slot-receiver duties, unlike Thompson.
FOURTH ROUND
Lindsey Wasson/AP
No. 109 overall — CB Tacario Davis, Washington
“Bobo” Davis has the size and aggression the Chiefs covet at the outside corner spot.
After trading McDuffie to the Rams, who also signed Jaylen Watson, Kansas City needs to address the cornerback spot.
The Chiefs, with Dave Merritt providing instruction, have thrived with middle- to late-round talent in the secondary and have some unique clay to work with in Davis.
FIFTH ROUND
Julio Cortez/AP
No. 148 — DT Kaleb Proctor, Southeastern Louisiana
Proctor is a raw prospect and on the small side, but he’s got some athleticism and instincts to blossom with NFL coaching.
Veach won’t hesitate to take multiple bites at the D-line apple if needed — and it’s needed.
Julio Cortez/AP
No. 169 — CB Charles Demmings, Stephen F. Austin
Acquired from Los Angeles Rams in Trent McDuffie trade
Demmings has good size (6 feet, 1 inch) and speed (4.41 40-yard dash) for the position.
Despite playing at a lower level, he showed the production you’d expect from a future NFL contributor with 31 passes defended and eight interceptions in 32 games across his last three college seasons.
Vera Nieuwenhuis/AP
No. 176 — LB Aiden Fisher, Indiana
Compensatory pick
He’s not an elite athlete by NFL standards, but he was a tackling machine and unquestioned leader for the national champion Hoosiers.
That pedigree, production married with intangibles, has worked for the Chiefs before.
Fisher has drawn comparisons to Drue Tranquill.
BYU’s Jack Kelly might also be an option in this range among linebacker prospects.
I also wouldn’t be stunned if the Chiefs explore a running back in the fifth round.
SIXTH ROUND
Adam Hunger/AP
No. 210 — S Jalen Huskey, Maryland
Acquired from Los Angeles Rams in Trent McDuffie trade
Based on previous picks, there are several ways I could go here — safety feels like the most glaring unplugged hole, but a running back or another receiver also makes a lot of sense.
It’s a dart throw at this stage of the draft, so I went with Huskey.
He had 11 interceptions in 36 games during his last three collegiate seasons, including his second season at Bowling Green and two as a starter for the Terrapins.
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