The Kansas City Chiefs weren't afraid to pursue their favorite prospects in the 2026 NFL Draft, and general manager Brett Veach may have assembled his most impressive rookie class to date.
From a first-round trade-up to Veach's savvy selection of an exciting running back on Day 3, Kansas City's latest draft class will fill needs at multiple positions for years to come.
But not every pick can receive an A+ grade, and while the Chiefs certainly came away with talented prospects, there were still some lessons for Kansas City's front office to learn.
Take a look at our full breakdown of the Chiefs' haul from the 2026 NFL Draft:
Delane was the best cornerback in the 2026 NFL Draft class, but his selection cost Kansas City dearly. Veach's trade from the No. 9 to No. 6 selection was a bold move, and Delane will face sky-high expectations next season as a result. The departure of Trent McDuffie in the offseason made cornerback a top need for the Chiefs, and Delane should prove to be worth the investment.
This wasn't Kansas City's most exciting pick, but as with the selection of Delane, the Chiefs' acquisition of Woods fills an immediate need. Steve Spagnuolo's defensive line has underperformed in recent seasons, and Woods represented Brett Veach's best chance to upgrade the unit in the 2026 NFL Draft. There were other prospects I would have liked to see taken, but I see the vision with Veach's decision.
An absolute game-wrecking pass-rusher, Thomas is exactly the type of prospect who can make an immediate impact for Kansas City as a rookie. Some analysts have compared his game to that of fellow-former Sooner and current Denver Broncos standout Nik Bonnito, and I'm inclined to agree with that assessment.
I wasn't totally sure how to feel about this pick. Canady is a good enough defensive back, and may well play an important role in Steve Spagnuolo's secondary next season. But I thought there were a few other players (Indiana Hoosiers wide receiver Elijah Sarratt and Washington Huskies defensive back Ephesians Prysock, in particular) who I had my eye on instead of Canady in Round 4.
Johnson will be a perfect addition to Andy Reid's offense and has a chance to be Kansas City's next great spellback behind Kenneth Walker III. One of the most underrated players in the class, Johnson was über productive during his final season at Nebraska, and should have plenty of tread left on the tires for an outstanding career in the NFL.
It is hard to argue with Allen's nose for the end zone. The former Bearcat tallied 13 touchdown receptions in 2025 and will look to keep that momentum going as his career with the Chiefs kicks off next season. If he can develop chemistry with Patrick Mahomes at training camp, this selection could pay dividends quicker than some analysts expect.
One of the wildest fallers in the class, Nussmeier will begin his career in Kansas City as a complete wild card. Though he is only likely to see action in the preseason, it seems likely that Nussmeier might be able to crack the Chiefs' 53-man roster as a rookie, despite his status as a first-round pick.
This article originally appeared on Chiefs Wire: Chiefs rookie class: Grading every selection KC made in 2026 NFL Draft