Chiefs move up to surprising spot in 2026 NFL Draft order originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Kansas City Chiefs find themselves in unfamiliar territory.
After the early slate of games on Sunday, the Chiefs slot into the top-10 of the 2026 NFL Draft order.
Specifically, they would pick No. 9 as things presently stand:
Following today’s early slate of games, the #Chiefs have moved up to the 9th overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft pic.twitter.com/Ard25a1oRf
— KC Sports Network (@KCSportsNetwork) December 28, 2025
The last time they picked in the top-10 was 2013. That year, they had the No. 1 pick and chose offensive tackle Eric Fisher.
They picked No. 3 in 2009, taking defensive end Tyson Jackson, No. 5 in 2008 with defensive tackle Glenn Dorsey, No. 5 in 2010 with safety Eric Berry and No. 6 in 2002, taking defensive tackle Ryan Sims.
Those are the Chiefs’ five picks inside the top-10 since 2000.
Ironically, the Chiefs have never picked No. 9.
They picked Ed Budde at No. 8 in 1963.
They’ve picked 10th three times: Bill Martin in 1964, Gary Green in 1977 and Patrick Mahomes in 2017.
The Chiefs could still slide around a bit, but they’ll be picking higher than usual just by virtue of missing the playoffs for the first time in a long time.
Kansas City fans aren’t used to this being their main concern right now, but that’s the way this season has gone for the Chiefs.
