Fresh Chiefs Rumors on 2026 NFL Draft Targets Ahead of Reported Rueben Bain Jr. Visit

The Kansas City Chiefs reportedly aren't indicating what they plan to do with their two first-round picks in the 2026 NFL draft, but there are plenty of areas of need for them to address.

According to ESPN's Matt Miller, there is "no strong indicator" of what the Chiefs want to do with the Nos. 9 and 29 overall picks, although Miller did name offensive tackle, wide receiver, pass-rusher, defensive tackle and cornerback as positions of need.

Miller also mentioned Tennessee cornerback Jermod McCoy as a "hot name to watch" for KC should he make it to ninth overall.

Cornerback is arguably the Chiefs' greatest need after they traded Trent McDuffie to the Los Angeles Rams and saw Jaylen Watson sign with the Rams and Joshua Williams sign with the Tennessee Titans in free agency.

On the BR NFL Scouting Department's latest big board, two corners were rated within the Chiefs' range with the ninth overall pick, as LSU's Mansoor Delane is ranked at the No. 8 overall player in the draft, and McCoy is ranked 12th overall.

It is easy to envision the Chiefs using at least one of their first-round picks on a cornerback, but the direction they go with the other first-rounder is anyone's guess.

NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported Thursday that Miami pass-rusher Rueben Bain Jr. is set for a top-30 visit with the Chiefs, making him a potential target at ninth overall as well.

Kansas City needs a running mate for edge-rusher George Karlaftis, and Bain could be a great fit for a defense that tied for 22nd in the NFL last season with 35 sacks.

The Chiefs are coming off a highly disappointing season that saw them go 6-11 and miss the playoffs for the first time since 2014.

They are a popular pick to bounce back and return to Super Bowl contention in 2026, but it is far from guaranteed with superstar quarterback Patrick Mahomes coming off a torn ACL, and the team losing some key players via trade and free agency.

However, if the Chiefs hit on their first-round picks and land instant contributors, it could go a long way toward making them Super Bowl threats once again.