The Kansas City Chiefs are exactly one week away from hitting the clock on Night 1 of the 2026 NFL Draft.
General manager Brett Veach held a pre-draft press conference on Thursday, and discussed a variety of topics. Among them was which positions he feels have the most depth. Veach addressed the Chiefs’ top needs — such as edge rusher, defensive back, wide receiver, and offensive line — in his answer.
Kansas City Chiefs GM Brett Veach Hints at Spending Early Draft Pick on Offensive Tackle
While speaking to the media, Veach shared that he believes there will be a significant run of offensive tackle being selected during the middle-late portion of the first round.
“I think you’re going to get a massive run of offensive lineman from (numbers) 10-25,” Veach said. “I think there are numbers there, but I think that once you get to pick 35, those numbers quickly diminish, then there’s a big fall off, whereas in some rounds you have depth throughout the course of the draft.
“For example, I think defensive end is solid through two, maybe even three (the second and third rounds),” Veach continued. “With offensive line, there’s some talent there, but I do think it dries up quickly, and by (number) 35 it could be slim pickings.
If Veach truly believes that, then the odds of Kansas City selecting an offensive tackle at either ninth or 29th are very high. Veach may want to get out in front of his projected run of OTs and take one at No. 9, or he may wait until No. 29 depending on how the draft board falls.
A few OT prospects that have been linked to the Chiefs include Spencer Fano, Francis Mauigoa, and Monroe Freeling. It is also important to keep in mind that all this could be a smokescreen from Veach, and perhaps the Chiefs aren’t interesting in selecting an OT early.
Brett Veach Discusses Other Positional Value in Draft
Veach went on to break down how he sees the positional value of the Chiefs’ other top roster needs.
“I mentioned the offensive line, I think that there are quite a number of tackles, but I think it does fall off right after the first round, maybe it extends to pick 35-40,” Veach said. “I think receivers, it’s maybe not as top-heavy as it was in the past. There may be a little break, but I do think there is some mid-round depth there at the receiver position.
“As everyone knows, it’s a kind of thinner this year at the running back position,” Veach continued. “I think corner is kind of sprinkled. There’s some moderate depth there in (round) one, and partly into (round) two. Like the receivers, you always get a run of corners in (rounds) three and four. I think there’s a mid-lower level pack of linebackers that are really deep. I think that there is really good defensive end depth right throughout the board.”
Veach stating that he doesn’t believe the WR position is very top heavy could indicate the Chiefs won’t spend a high pick on one. Cornerback definitely seems to be in play early on with him calling the depth at the position “moderate.”
Veach’s comment on defensive end having good depth throughout could mean they will wait past the first round to take one. It likely also means they will select multiple players at the position. Veach left the door open for a mid-late round selection of a linebacker, and you can safely rule out a RB until the late rounds.
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