Best remaining players available for the Kansas City Chiefs on Day 3 of the 2026 NFL Draft after early investments on defense

The Kansas City Chiefs added R Mason Thomas on Day 2 of the 2026 NFL Draft. Who will they add to the team on Day 3? Here’s a look at the top remaining prospects available.

The Kansas City Chiefs have completed Day 2 of the 2026 NFL draft. They added LSU CB Mansoor Delane and Clemson DT Peter Woods in Round 1. In Round 2, the team added Oklahoma EDGE R Mason Thomas.

Many talented prospects remain available on both sides of the ball at several position groups as Round 4 begins on Saturday. The team was originally set to make five picks on Day 3, but traded one of them to move up for Delane. The Chiefs have just four picks remaining on Day 3.

Here are the best available players remaining at each position (except specialist) for the Chiefs.

Best remaining 2026 NFL Draft prospects for the Chiefs on Day 2

Quarterback:

Vanderbilt QB Diego Pavia
Rutgers QB Athan Kaliamankis

The Chiefs already have four quarterbacks on the 53-man roster. However, with the injury to Patrick Mahomes, you can never rule out another addition. I know the Chiefs are big fans of Kansas QB Jalon Daniels.

Running back:

Washington RB Jonah Coleman
Arkansas RB Mike Washington Jr.
Nebraska RB Emmett Johnson
Wake Forest RB Demond Claiborne
Virginia RB J’Mari Taylor
Texas A&M RB Le’Veon Moss
South Carolina RB Rahsul Faison
Oregon RB Noah Whittington
Georgia Tech RB Jamal Haynes

The Chiefs’ investment in Kenneth Walker III and Emari Demercado during free agency lessens the need for a running back. On Day 3, it might be easier to stomach. There are a few really intriguing players available at the position.

Wide receiver:

Mizzou WR Kevin Coleman Jr.
Miss. State WR Brenen Thompson
Cincinnati WR Jeff Caldwell
Texas Tech WR Reggie Virgil
Florida WR J. Michael Sturdivant
John Carroll WR Tyren Montgomery

The Chiefs can always seek additional weapons for QB Patrick Mahomes and the passing game. There are still a few intriguing receivers available, including some that fit the Chiefs’ preferred mold.

Tight end:

Wyoming TE John Michael Gyllenborg
Ole Miss TE Dae’Quan Wright
Indiana TE Riley Nowakowski

The Chiefs’ tight end room has some long-term needs, with Travis Kelce on what’s effectively a one-year deal. Noah Gray has an out year on his contract in 2027. This position group still has some talent left on Day 3, but I’m not sure that they’ll find an upgrade here unless they’re targeting blockers.

Interior offensive line:

Kansas State OL Sam Hecht
Alabama OL Parker Brailsford
Notre Dame OL Billy Schrauth
Auburn OL Jeremiah Wright
Texas A&M OL Ar’Maj Reed-Adams
Michigan State OL Matt Gulbin
Oklahoma OL Febechi Nwaiwu
Arkansas OL Fernando Carmona
UCLA OL Garrett DiGiorgio

Interior offensive line isn’t a major need for the Chiefs. I wouldn’t expect an investment on Day 3 unless they run into a “best player available” scenario, which is totally possible.

Offensive tackle:

Texas A&M OT Dametrious Crownover
Penn State OT Drew Shelton
Notre Dame OT Aamil Wagner
Wake Forest OT Fa’alili Fa’amoe
Penn State OT Nolan Rucci
Boston College OT Jude Bowry

There are a few players left on the board that fit the Chiefs’ offensive tackle thresholds. If they want to take a swing and find their right tackle of the future, they might have the opportunity to do so.

Defensive tackle:

Ole Miss DT Zxavian Harris
Oklahoma DT Gracen Halton
FSU DT Darrell Jackson Jr.
Penn State DT Zane Durant
Alabama DT Tim Keenan III
SE Louisiana DT Kaleb Proctor
Clemson DT DeMonte Capeheart
Michigan DT Rayshaun Benny
Illinois DT James Thompson Jr.
South Carolina DT Nick Barrett
Tennessee DT Bryson Eason
Texas Tech DT Skyler Gill-Howard
Georgia Tech DT Jordan van den Berg

Brett Veach says he feels the Chiefs need to add two defensive tackles to the mix, even after adding Khyiris Tonga in free agency. They already added Peter Woods on Day 1. Could another be added on Day 3, or will they wait until undrafted free agency?

Edge rusher:

Tennessee EDGE Joshua Josephs
Western Michigan EDGE Nadame Tucker
Central Michigan EDGE Michael Heldman
Ohio State EDGE Caden Curry
Florida EDGE George Gumbs Jr.
Washington EDGE Zach Durfee
Duke EDGE Vincent Anthony Jr.
Wisconsin EDGE Mason Reiger
Duke EDGE Wesley Williams
Indiana EDGE Mikail Kamara
Northwestern EDGE Aidan Hubbard

The Chiefs didn’t address the edge rusher position in Round 1, but they got their man in Round 2 with Oklahoma EDGE R Mason Thomas. Kansas City could still look to add another hybrid player at the position who has the ability to play both inside and outside on Day 3.

Linebacker:

Oregon LB Bryce Boettcher
Arizona State LB Keyshaun Elliott
Louisiana LB Jaden Dugger
Texas A&M LB Taurean York

Linebacker has some serious future needs to address with Drue Tranquill in the last year of his deal. Nick Bolton has an out year in his contract in 2027. They may already have some replacement options on the roster in Cooper McDonald and Jeff Bassa.

Safety:

South Carolina S Jalon Kilgore
Penn State S Zakee Wheatley
Ohio State S Lorenzo Styles
Oklahoma S Robert Spears-Jennings
Texas Tech S Cole Wisniewski
Notre Dame S Jalen Stroman
Oklahoma S Kendal Daniels
Nebraska S DeShon Singleton

Safety remains a need despite the team adding Alohi Gilman in free agency. It’s one of the most important positions in Steve Spagnuolo’s defense. They still could use that in-the-box enforcer type, but perhaps Mansoor Delane gives them a bit of that as a slot corner? It’ll be interesting to see if they strike here.

Cornerback:

Tennessee CB Jermod McCoy
Texas A&M CB Will Lee III
Arizona State CB Keith Abney II
Washington CB Ephesians Prysock
Stephen F. Austin CB Charles Demmings
Georgia Tech CB Ahmari Harvey
North Carolina CB Thad Dixon
NC State CB Devon Marshall

After trading up for Mansoor Delane, I’m not sure how much more the Chiefs want to invest at this position in terms of draft capital. Another addition wouldn’t be the worst decision for the defense.

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