The Kansas City Chiefs need to get their 40th overall draft pick right.
That’s because it’s the only one they currently have for Day 2. Kansas City surrendered their 74th overall selection to the Cleveland Browns in order to trade up from ninth to sixth overall and take cornerback Mansoor Delane.
The Chiefs also gave up its 148th pick to the Browns, which will come in the fifth round on Day 3. They could make another trade that lands them another Day 2 pick, but that will depend on the right deal presenting itself. Experts from multiple outlets have put out Day 2 mock drafts, and most of them have Kansas City addressing the same need.
Kansas City Chiefs Select Edge Rusher in Mock Drafts From ESPN, Sports Illustrated, and CBS Sports
GettyTexas A&M EDGE Cashius Howell
Daniel Flick of Sports Illustrated believes the Chiefs will select Texas A&M edge rusher Cashius Howell.
“The Chiefs traded up to select cornerback Mansoor Delane with their first pick and added defensive tackle Peter Woods with their second. To cap a stronghold on the top 40, they get Howell, the SEC Defensive Player of the Year, who’s one of the draft’s best pure speed rushers.”
Howell is a little lighter than what Chiefs defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo usually likes in a defensive end, but Howell should be a productive NFL pass rusher and would likely start oppositive George Karlaftis right off the bat.
Josh Edwards of CBS Sports also predicted that Kansas City will take Howell.
“Dropping Howell into a pass rush operation is like dynamite. He is quick and explosive, but a historical outlier in terms of length. It took the Bowling Green transfer some time to adapt to the SEC, but he took his game to another level in 2025 with 11.5 sacks.”
Edwards raises an interesting point in Howell potentially needing time to adapt to the SEC. Howell could face some growing pains in the NFL, but him rising the occasion while at Texas A&M is a positive sign.
Matt Miller of ESPN has the Chiefs selecting an EDGE, but went with Clemson’s T.J. Parker.
“After addressing cornerback and defensive tackle in Round 1, the Chiefs stick with defense and add the long-armed, powerful strongside defensive end in Parker. Wide receiver also would be a consideration here, but the depth at receiver is good enough to wait until later.”
Parker was the college teammate of Chiefs first-round pick defensive tackle Peter Woods. Parker fits the mold of what Spagnuolo looks for, and he had a productive 2025 season with 11 sacks and a whopping 19.5 tackles for loss.
USA TODAY Predicts Chiefs Take OT With Second-Round Pick
GettyNorthwestern OT Caleb Tiernan
Jacob Camenker of USA TODAY had a different direction in mind for the Chiefs at No. 40, sending them Northwestern offensive tackle Caleb Tiernan.
“The Chiefs released Jawaan Taylor during the offseason and need an upgrade over Jaylon Moore to bookend Josh Simmons. Tiernan was a four-year starter at Northwestern and spent the last three seasons as the Wildcats’ left tackle. The 6-7, 325-pound blocker rarely missed a snap and has the size needed to be a plug-and-play starter.”
Chiefs general manager Brett Veach admitted after the first round that his interest in an offensive tackle was mostly a smokescreen. However, that may not apply to round two. Tiernan would have a shot to compete for the start right tackle job as a rookie if selected by Kansas City.
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