It is April 1st, the month of the 2026 NFL Draft. The countdown to draft weekend is even more on the mind of the football community from here.
On Monday, ESPN draft analyst Matt Miller authored a seven-round mock draft that featured nine predicted selections for the Kansas City Chiefs. He provided plenty of analysis for the team’s selections in Rounds 1-3 before listing players for the remaining five picks for the Chiefs.
We’ll use the table Miller set over the first two days of the draft and take
an alternative route with the Day 3 selections.
First, here are his predictions for the ninth, 29th, 40th and 74th picks:
9. Kansas City Chiefs
Rueben Bain Jr., Edge, Miami
The Chiefs are used to contending for Super Bowls, but they have a lot of needs at premium positions. The pass rush struggled, with only 35 sacks last season (tied 22nd in the NFL), and Kansas City has done little to upgrade the outside pass rush this offseason. Bain would immediately start opposite George Karlaftis and has the inside/outside alignment versatility that Steve Spagnuolo has typically preferred. With 71 pressures and 9.5 sacks in 2025, Bain has the strength, speed and production to make teams overlook his sub-standard 30⅞-inch arm length. The Chiefs don’t normally get a chance to pick this high, so this is a rare opportunity to grab a blue-chip prospect at a high-value position.
29. Kansas City Chiefs (from LAR)
Avieon Terrell, CB, Clemson
The Chiefs have a history of drafting and developing cornerbacks, just to watch them leave. This offseason, Trent McDuffie and Jaylen Watson departed for the Rams via trade and free agency, respectively. The McDuffie deal got Kansas City this pick, which it could use on Terrell. The younger brother of Falcons’ cornerback A.J. Terrell Jr. is similar to McDuffie in his ability to play inside or outside. Avieon Terrell had three interceptions at Clemson while allowing only 4.4 yards per attempt when targeted by opposing quarterbacks.
40. Kansas City Chiefs
Germie Bernard, WR, Alabama
Rashee Rice’s future is in question with the receiver facing multiple assault allegations, and Xavier Worthy has yet to emerge as a WR1. Bernard would, at minimum, be a capable WR3 and replace the targets departed free agents Hollywood Brown and JuJu Smith-Schuster received, with the upside to grow into a front-line starter in the slot. His yards-after-catch ability and versatility to play across the formation — even at tailback — should appeal to Andy Reid’s creativity.
74. Kansas City Chiefs
Domonique Orange, DT, Iowa State
The Chiefs signed 30-year-old Khyiris Tonga to work alongside 32-year-old Chris Jones, meaning youth is needed. Orange is a solid nose tackle at 6-foot-2 and 322 pounds, and he can be an anchor in the middle of the line and provide push on third downs.
Miller’s Day 3 picks
109. Kansas City Chiefs: Oscar Delp, TE, Georgia
148. Kansas City Chiefs: Jude Bowry, OT, Boston College
169. Kansas City Chiefs (from LAR): Marcus Allen, CB, North Carolina
176. Kansas City Chiefs*: Lorenzo Styles Jr., S, Ohio State
210. Kansas City Chiefs (from LAR): Rahsul Faison, RB, South Carolina
My Day 3 picks
Near the top of the board to begin the fourth round, Miller looks to balance the draft out with a pick towards offense in Delp.
109. Jakobe Thomas, S, Miami
While the Georgia tight end would be a strong pick and the preferred offensive player to choose at this point, there’s an opportunity to top off the new-look secondary with an experienced safety that makes plays in the box and around the line of scrimmage.
For the national runner-up Hurricanes in 2025, Thomas led the team in solo tackles (46) and tallied five interceptions, six passes defended, four tackles for loss, two forced fumbles and 3.5 sacks.
148. Josh Cuevas, TE, Alabama
Higher levels of potential are likely the reason that Delp is predicted to go a round earlier than Cuevas, but the Alabama tight end feels like great value in the fifth round, considering his well-balanced profile as a reliable blocker and underrated pass catcher.
Over two seasons for the Crimson Tide, Cuevas caught over 80% of his targets (53 of 66) according to Pro Football Focus. In 2025, he averaged nearly seven yards after catch per reception.
169. Diego Pounds, OT, Ole Miss
This pick is made with the knowledge that Pounds may be one of the last chances for Kansas City to acquire an intriguing, experienced starting offensive tackle through the draft. He started three seasons at left tackle for Ole Miss and North Carolina, and showcases arm length of 33 3/4 inches in a 6-feet-5 1/2-inch tall, 325-pound frame.
176. Lander Barton, LB, Utah
In a deep linebacker class, the Chiefs should be picking one; the position’s long-term outlook outside of Nick Bolton is uncertain.
Barton was a key piece of a reputable Utah defense for four years and feels underappreciated due to unimpressive athletic testing (4.79 seconds in the 40-yard dash). He plays better in space than that number suggests and carries a frame of 6 feet 4 1/2 inches, 233 pounds and arms over 32 inches long.
210. Kaleb Proctor, DT, SE Louisiana
For the Chiefs’ only double-up at a position, Kansas City takes a second swing at the interior spots in the defensive trenches with Proctor, who flashes as an undersized penetrator, similarly to former Chiefs’ defensive tackle Tershawn Wharton.
Who had the stronger finish to the Chiefs’ 2026 draft class? Which Day 3 players would you be targeting after Miller’s top four picks? Let us know in the comments.
