The Kansas City Chiefs sent a clear message Thursday night: the path back to the Super Bowl goes through the trenches and the secondary. By trading up in the first round to select Virginia Tech cornerback Mansoor Delane at No. 6 overall and then picking Clemson defensive tackle Peter Woods with the 31st pick, general manager Brett Veach fortified the defense with two players who project as immediate contributors.
But the 2026 NFL Draft is far from over.
As Day 2 unfolds Friday evening from Green Bay, the Chiefs hold two picks -- No. 66 overall in the second round and No. 95 overall in the third round -- that could reshape the roster's depth and long-term outlook. After focusing almost exclusively on defense in Round 1, the board is ripe with talented players who can fill remaining needs, especially on offense and at edge rusher.
Here's a look at the best available players for Kansas City as they navigate Day 2, based on current big boards, scouting reports, and team needs.
The Top Remaining Need: Pass Rush
Despite investing heavily in the defensive line in recent years -- including a first-round pick on Felix Anudike-Uzomah in 2023 and the selection of Woods on Thursday -- the Chiefs still lack a proven, dynamic edge rusher opposite George Karlaftis. The departure of veteran Charles Omenihu in free agency left a void that hasn't been fully addressed. While the Chiefs believe they have developing depth, adding a high-upside pass rusher on Day 2 would be a wise investment.
T.J. Parker, Edge, Alabama
If there's one name Chiefs fans should circle on their draft boards, it's T.J. Parker. The Alabama edge rusher was projected by many as a potential late first-round pick, but a crowded edge class and some concerns pushed him into Day 2.
At 6-foot-4 and 255 pounds, Parker possesses the ideal blend of length, power, and bend off the edge. He finished his 2025 season with 9.5 sacks and 14 tackles for loss, consistently disrupting SEC backfields with a relentless motor and a growing pass-rush arsenal. His bull rush is NFL-ready, and he's shown the ability to convert speed to power against more athletic tackles.
What makes Parker especially intriguing for Kansas City is his fit in defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo's scheme. The Chiefs love versatile defenders who can set the edge against the run while also providing interior disruption on stunts and twists. Parker's length and active hands make him a natural fit for a defense that thrives on pressure from multiple alignments.
The concern? Parker didn't test as an elite athlete at the Combine, posting a 4.72 40-yard dash and a relatively pedestrian vertical jump. But his tape tells a different story -- one of a savvy, technically sound pass rusher who wins with leverage and hand placement. In the second round, that's tremendous value.
Other Edge Options
If Parker is off the board by No. 66, the Chiefs could look at players like North Carolina's Kaimon Rucker or Texas A&M's Shemar Turner. Rucker is a high-motor tweener who could excel as a situational pass rusher, while Turner has the versatility to play both inside and outside. Neither carries the same upside as Parker, but both would add quality depth to a rotation that needs it.
Wide Receiver: Still a Need
The Chiefs traded Tyreek Hill two years ago, and while they've found success with Rashee Rice, the wide receiver room still lacks a proven, high-end WR2 opposite him. Marquise Brown is entering the final year of his contract, and veteran JuJu Smith-Schuster remains a reliable but limited option. The draft board is deep with wideouts who could step in and contribute immediately.
Denzel Boston, WR, Washington
Denzel Boston might be the most complete wide receiver available on Day 2. At 6-foot-2 and 210 pounds, he's a big-bodied target who wins at the catch point and runs sharp, detailed routes. He posted 85 catches for 1,204 yards and 10 touchdowns in 2025, emerging as the Huskies' primary weapon in the passing game.
What separates Boston from other Day 2 receivers is his polish. He runs a full route tree, shows excellent body control on sideline catches, and is a willing blocker in the run game -- traits that head coach Andy Reid values highly. His 40-yard dash time at the Combine (4.48) was solid, but it's his quickness in and out of breaks that makes him a threat.
The fit with Patrick Mahomes would be seamless. Boston has the size to win contested catches over the middle and the speed to stretch the field vertically. He wouldn't need to be a WR1 immediately; he could develop behind Rice and Brown while contributing on special teams and in three-wide sets.
Boston's stock has been rising throughout the pre-draft process, and some analysts believe he could sneak into the late first round. If he's still available at No. 66, Veach should sprint to the podium.
Other Receiver Targets
If Boston is gone, the Chiefs could target a speedster like Texas's Isaiah Bond or a more polished route runner like Ohio State's Emeka Egbuka. Bond's 4.28 speed would add a dynamic deep threat the offense currently lacks, while Egbuka offers reliable hands and a proven track record in a pro-style system. Either would be an upgrade at the position.
Offensive Line Depth
One area of the roster that remains thin is the offensive line. While the starting five is solid -- anchored by left tackle Kingsley Suamataia and center Creed Humphrey -- the depth behind them is unproven. The Chiefs could benefit from adding a versatile offensive lineman who can play multiple positions, especially with the uncertainty surrounding Jawaan Taylor's future at right tackle.
Among Day 2 options, Georgia's Earnest Greene III is an intriguing prospect. The 6-foot-4, 320-pound guard/tackle hybrid started for two seasons in the SEC and offers the power and mobility the Chiefs covet in their zone-blocking scheme. He's not a finished product -- his hand placement needs work -- but the upside is undeniable.
Defensive Back Depth
Even after selecting Delane in the first round, the Chiefs could still add another defensive back on Day 2. The cornerback room is deeper than it was a year ago, but Trent McDuffie and Joshua Williams are the only proven outside corners. Nickel corner is still a question mark, and safety depth behind Justin Reid and Bryan Cook is thin.
A versatile safety-corner hybrid like Michigan's Will Johnson would be a dream scenario, but Johnson is likely gone by the end of the first round. A more realistic target is Iowa's Sebastian Castro, a physical nickel who excels in run support and can match up with tight ends. Castro's instincts and toughness are NFL-ready, and he could compete for snaps immediately.
The Big Picture
The Chiefs enter Day 2 with two picks in the top 100, a roster that is largely intact from last year's Super Bowl run, and a front office that has repeatedly shown a willingness to be aggressive in the draft. After loading up on defense in Round 1, the focus should shift to adding offensive firepower and pass-rush depth.
If Veach can land a player like T.J. Parker at No. 66 and a wide receiver like Denzel Boston at No. 95, this draft class could go from very good to elite in a matter of hours. That said, the draft is unpredictable -- other teams may have similar plans, and the board never falls exactly how you expect.
What we do know is that the Chiefs have positioned themselves well. They have the draft capital, the roster stability, and the front office vision to make Day 2 a defining moment for the 2026 season. As the second round gets underway, all eyes will be on Kansas City's war room.
One thing is certain: Brett Veach won't be passive.