In less than two weeks, the 2026 NFL Draft will begin, and the tradition of commissioner Roger Goodell introducing the top picks with a handshake, hug and a jersey will commence.
So the question is, will the newest member of the Kansas City Chiefs be a part of that ceremony?
According to Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network, the following players will be in attendance during the draft in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
- Edge rusher David Bailey, Texas Tech
- Edge rusher Rueben Bain Jr., Miami
- Cornerback Mansoor Delane, LSU
- Safety Caleb Downs, Ohio State
- Defensive lineman Keldric Faulk, Auburn
- Cornerback Colton Hood, Tennessee
- Wide receiver Makai Lemon, USC
- Running back Jeremiyah Love, Notre Dame
- Offensive tackle Francis Mauigoa, Miami
- Defensive tackle Kayden McDonald, Ohio State
- Offensive tackle Kadyn Proctor, Alabama
- Linebacker Arvell Reese, Ohio State
- Quarterback Ty Simpson, Alabama
- Linebacker Sonny Styles, Ohio State
- Wide receiver Carnell Tate, Ohio State
- Wide receiver Jordyn Tyson, Arizona State
It certainly feels as if the team’s selection at pick No. 9 will be one of the 16 names listed, but could the Chiefs double-up on Goodell greetings?
With the 29th pick in the draft, the team could target a player in this group that falls down the draft board enough to be worth trading up for.
Kayden McDonald would be an exciting pick to pair with defensive tackle Chris Jones for the remainder of his dominant career. Jordyn Tyson’s medical history may push him closer to the right value for Kansas City. Colton Hood has been mocked to the Chiefs at pick No. 29 by ESPN’s Peter Schrager as recently as this week.
Last time a Chiefs draft pick received the in-house treatment was defensive end George Karlaftis, selected with the 30th pick in the 2022 NFL Draft out of Purdue. Before that, it was a second-round choice: defensive tackle Chris Jones was in attendance when he was drafted with the 37th pick in the 2016 class.
What do you think? Will we see the Chiefs’ first pick greet Goodell? And how likely is a second in-person selection? Let us know!
