With their first pick at No. 9, the Chiefs are projected to target one of a small group of players, including edge rusher Rueben Bain Jr. and cornerback Mansoor Delane, as they look to bolster the front seven or the secondary early.
But the No. 29 pick is where analysts diverge. In his final mock draft ahead of the draft, NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah predicts Kansas City will double dip in the secondary, selecting Treydan Stukes at No. 29 alongside Delane at No. 9.
Stukes, an Arizona product, has generated late buzz for his versatility and intelligence. He can play nickelback or free safety and has drawn comparisons to McDuffie in terms of versatility and interview performance, with many teams viewing him as a potential outside corner as well.
The idea of doubling down on the secondary at Nos. 9 and 29 represents a notable strategic bend for the Chiefs. While other teams may prioritize edge or receiver for two top-30 picks, Kansas City has historically found high-end corners later in the draft, developing players such as La’Jarius Snead and Jaylen Watson from Day 3 selections into contributors.
Still, the secondary remains Kansas City’s most pressing need, and pairing Delane with Stukes would address that weakness more immediately rather than deferring to later developmental picks. It would reflect a plan to stabilize a depleted group by adding two versatile, high-ceiling corners.
This projection from Jeremiah’s final mock draft illustrates one possible path for the Chiefs as they leverage expanded capital from the McDuffie trade. Whether Veach and Reid pursue a secondary-heavy approach or distribute picks across other positions will unfold as the draft progresses.
