The 2026 NFL Draft is just a few months away, and as the league prepares to gather in Pittsburgh on April 23, the football-watching world is rife with mock drafts and projections as to how the first round will play out.

Here's a look at who some of the latest mock drafts from around the web have the Chiefs selecting with the No. 9 overall pick on April 23:

NFL.com (Daniel Jeremiah - January 26): Miami EDGE Rueben Bain Jr.

Daniel Jeremiah from NFL.com has the Chiefs taking an edge-rusher at No. 9 overall in Miami's Reuben Bain, who racked up 8.5 sacks and 13.5 tackles-for-loss in 2025. Here's what Jeremiah wrote about the pick:

"Bain is my favorite fit for the Chiefs. Andy Reid has always had an appreciation for players with a junkyard-dog mentality like Bain possesses, having coached Trent Cole and Brandon Graham in Philadelphia."

The Ringer (January 28): Clemson DT Peter Woods

Danny Kelly from The Ringer also has the Chiefs adding to their defensive front at pick No. 9, but instead of an edge defender, Kelly sent a versatile interior lineman to Kansas City in Clemson's Peter Woods.

Here's a portion of what Kelly wrote about Woods:

"The Chiefs look to get younger and more explosive on the defensive front with this pick. Woods has great acceleration, disrupts the pocket, and makes life hard for opposing offensive linemen. He'll give defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo a versatile playmaker to deploy from multiple spots."

CBS Sports (Blake Brockermeyer – January 26): Auburn EDGE Keldric Faulk

CBS Sports' Blake Brockermeyer sent a defensive lineman to Kansas City in his latest mock as well, penciling in Auburn edge-rusher Keldric Faulk at No. 9 overall. Another versatile pass-rusher, Faulk possesses a rare combination of size and length that could work well within Defensive Coordinator Steve Spagnuolo's scheme.

Here's more from Brockermeyer:

"Keldric Faulk has ideal size, length and the ability to rush from anywhere along the front. His stats don't tell the full story given the attention he drew, but he still finished with 30 hurries. He's a slippery rusher with a good get-off and excellent hands, and he's solid against the run with the ability to set the edge and knock back tackles."

ESPN (Mel Kiper Jr - January 21): Notre Dame RB Jeremiyah Love

ESPN's Mel Kiper went with an offensive player to Kansas City in his first mock of the year, sending Notre Dame tailback Jeremiyah Love to the Chiefs. Love, who Kiper currently has as his No. 2 overall player, rushed for 1,372 yards and 18 touchdowns in 2025.

Here's what Kiper had to say about the pick:

"You could see it, right? The Chiefs make their first pick in the top 10 since they took Patrick Mahomes at No. 10 in 2017 and promptly use the selection to get a game-changing running back to pair with their star quarterback? Improving the run game could open up the offense in a big way."

ESPN (Matt Miller - February 2): Texas Tech EDGE David Bailey

ESPN's Matt Miller sent prolific edge-rusher David Bailey to Kansas City in his initial mock, bolstering the Chiefs' pass-rush with a player who racked up 14.5 sacks in 2025. Here's more from Miller:

"The 6-foot-3, 250-pound Bailey has speed off the snap and the ability to chase down quarterbacks. The Chiefs had only 35 sacks as a team in 2025 (tied for 22nd in the NFL), so Bailey would give their pass rush a jolt with his agility and power."

NFL.com (Lance Zierlein - February 2): Miami EDGE Rueben Bain Jr.

Lance Zierlein from NFL.com also has the Chiefs taking an edge defender at No. 9 overall, but instead of Bailey, Zierlein – just like his colleague at NFL.com, Daniel Jeremiah – sent Miami's Rueben Bain Jr. to Kansas City.

Here's what Zierlein wrote about the pick:

"There are other needs, but Bain simply fits the mold of what Brett Veach and Andy Reid look for in a rugged QB hunter and two-way player off the edge."

Pro Football Focus (February 2): Florida DT Caleb Banks

PFF's Trevor Sikkema went with an interior defensive lineman in his latest mock, sending Florida's Caleb Banks to the Chiefs at No. 9 overall. Here's more from Sikkema:

"Banks didn't play much in 2025 due to a foot injury, but on the final two days of Senior Bowl practices, he reminded us why he was seen as a potential top-15 pick heading into the season. His size and length — 6-foot-6 and 330 pounds — are very alluring to pair with Chris Jones."

ESPN (Field Yates - February 11): Notre Dame RB Jeremiyah Love

Field Yates from ESPN sent a familiar name to the Chiefs at No. 9 overall, opting to go with Notre Dame tailback Jeremiyah Love. Here's what Yates wrote about the pick:

"Simply put, Love is the biggest non-QB difference-maker in the class. As a runner, he has terrific explosiveness and vision. As a receiver, his routes from the slot look no different from a wideout. The Chiefs need a major boost to their backfield after ranking 25th in rushing yards per game (106.6). And I'd imagine general manager Brett Veach would be tempted to sprint the card in himself to make this pick."

NFL.com (Dan Parr - February 12): Miami EDGE Rueben Bain Jr.

NFL.com's Dan Parr sent Miami edge-rusher Rueben Bain Jr. to Kansas City with the ninth overall pick. Here's what Parr wrote about the selection:

"Bain could certainly hear his name called earlier in the top 10. If he's still available here, I'm sure defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo would be delighted to add a big dose of nastiness to his front line."

FOX Sports (Ron Rang - February 12): Ohio State S Caleb Downs

Rob Rang from FOX Sports also has the Chiefs going with a defensive player at No. 9, but instead of a pass-rusher, he elected to send Ohio State do-it-all safety Caleb Downs to Kansas City. Here's more from Rang:

"Adding his instincts and playmaking skills to an already gifted Chiefs secondary is a smart strategy given all the quarterback talent in the AFC West."