Best player, value and other superlatives for Chiefs’ 2026 draft class

On the negative side, Woods is not a good pass rusher right now. He struggles to use his hands to sequence pass-rush moves. His hands don’t bring much violence, and he struggles to control or get off blocks. If Woods doesn’t slip a block and cleanly get upfield, he makes little impact as a pass rusher.

If Woods can develop moves and add power to his hands, his upside is high. But if he can’t, his ceiling gets much lower. It all comes down to how well he can mitigate his lack of arm length as an NFL player. There is upside to be a star, but Woods also has real bust potential.

Best value pick

Round 7, pick 249: QB Garrett Nussmeier

Nussmeier has a strong chance to outperform his draft slot. He’s an aggressive passer with solid arm talent, enough mobility to extend plays, and upside to become one of the league’s better backups. Even if he never starts in Kansas City, he could create future trade value or return a compensatory pick.

Most concerning due to fit

Round 2, pick 40: DE R Mason Thomas

Thomas was highly productive in college, but his size could be an issue at the next level. NFL tackles will be stronger, longer, and more athletic. He has the pass-rush toolbox to adjust, but finding what consistently works in the pros may take time.

Most likely to struggle early on

R Mason Thomas and Peter Woods

Unfortunately for the Chiefs, both defensive linemen could struggle early as rookies.

Woods still has a long developmental path as a pass rusher. He flashes the ability to slip blocks, but his hand usage is raw, and he doesn’t yet know how to consistently control or defeat blockers with moves. That lack of refinement will be tougher to overcome against NFL linemen, which could limit his early pressure production.

Thomas faces a different adjustment. It will be harder for him to win with speed-to-power or pure burst against bigger, more athletic NFL tackles. He has a variety of pass-rush moves, but he’ll need time to learn which ones translate best and how to sequence them effectively at the next level.

Both players have long-term upside, but neither feels likely to make an immediate impact as a pass rusher.

Day 3 pick most likely to make an impact

Round 5, pick 161: RB Emmett Johnson

Johnson has the clearest path among the Day 3 picks. If he wins the RB2 job in camp, he could carve out a role quickly. His pass protection, receiving ability, and short-yardage skill set complement Kenneth Walker and could earn him early snaps.

Day 3 pick who could surprise as a starter

Round 4, pick 109: CB Jadon Canady
Round 5, pick 176: WR Cyrus Allen

It’s possible that Canady takes over as the starting slot defender at some point this season.

The Chiefs currently have Kadar Kohou and Chamarri Conner as their slot options. Kohou is coming off a knee injury and may not be the same. Conner has always struggled to cover slot receivers. I trust Canady to be able to cover slot receivers more than Conner. Canady will have to prove he can hold up against the run, but he could boost the Chiefs’ coverage from the slot.

Allen is the only pass catcher the Chiefs added and could figure into the wide receiver rotation. His separation could immediately earn him trust and targets. Allen is a slot-only player, which can be tough with Rashee Rice and Xavier Worthy on the team. However, the Chiefs just need anyone who can create separation, and Allen can do that. In a thin receiver room, Allen could carve out a role.

My personal favorite pick

Emmett Johnson

The Chiefs had to get depth in the backfield behind Kenneth Walker. Walker is a great weapon, but he has gaps in his game. He’s not great in short yardage or pass protection. On top of that, he has a history of injuries, and you want to keep his explosiveness fresh for the playoffs. Getting someone who can handle some of the workload in the regular season will pay dividends later.

Johnson will provide that. Despite being undersized, he’s great in short yardage with his vision and contact balance. Johnson is also good at pass protection and can catch. He could immediately be the third-down back for the Chiefs. There’s strong synergy between Johnson’s and Walkers’ skill sets.

Johnson and Walker are a massive upgrade over what the Chiefs have had at running back for years and will give the run game a major boost.

My least favorite pick

Peter Woods

I’m skeptical Woods will ever become a quality pass rusher. His mobility and balance are impressive, but his lack of length and underdeveloped hand usage create real concerns. He struggles to strike into blockers’ frames, control reps with his hands, and consistently win against offensive linemen. To reach his ceiling, he’ll need major growth as a technician.

His run defense should translate well. Woods plays with balance, can recover at difficult angles, and slips blocks to penetrate the backfield, which at least offers some pass-rush utility.

The traits are intriguing, but the combination of limited pass-rush production and significant technical development needed creates a low floor. If he never becomes a reliable interior rusher, the pick could fall short of what Kansas City needs.

Any superlatives of your own to describe a draft pick? Where do you disagree? Let us know in the comments