Finding the Silver Lining: Chiefs Eye Top-10 Pick Amidst Difficult Season
The 2025 season hasn’t gone according to script for the Kansas City Chiefs. Sitting at 6-10 with one game remaining, the modern dynasty has found itself in uncharted waters playing out the string rather than jockeying for playoff seeding. However, as the losses have piled up, a significant opportunity has emerged for the franchise’s long-term future: a potential top-10 selection in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Following Sunday’s action, Kansas City currently holds the No. 9 overall pick. It’s a rare position for a team accustomed to drafting in the late 20s or 30s, and it presents general manager Brett Veach with a chance to infuse blue-chip talent into a roster that has looked noticeably thinner this year.
The Current Landscape
According to projections from The Athletic, the Chiefs are locked in a three-way tie with the New Orleans Saints and Cincinnati Bengals, all holding 6-10 records.
Draft order ties are broken by strength of schedule (SOS)—the combined winning percentage of a team’s opponents. The team with the lower SOS drafts higher. Currently, the Saints hold the advantage with a .491 SOS, placing them at No. 8. The Chiefs sit at No. 9 (.509), followed by the Bengals at No. 10 (.517).
Ironically, help came from an old friend this weekend. Former Chiefs assistant and current Giants interim head coach Mike Kafka led New York to a 34-10 victory over the Las Vegas Raiders. This win lowered the Raiders‘ winning percentage, which impacts Kansas City’s strength of schedule calculation, keeping them firmly in the hunt for that eighth spot.
Week 18 Implications
The draft order is far from finalized. The Chiefs close their season on the road against the Las Vegas Raiders. With third-string quarterback Chris Oladokun expected to be under center, a loss is a distinct possibility.
If Kansas City loses and the Saints manage to win their season finale against the Atlanta Falcons who are fighting for their own playoff positioning the Chiefs could leapfrog New Orleans into the No. 8 spot.
Conversely, a Chiefs victory combined with losses by teams like Miami (7-9) or Tampa Bay (7-9) could see Kansas City slide out of the top 10 entirely. The Buccaneers, currently on a four-game losing streak, are in a precarious spot. If they lose to Carolina and the Chiefs win, Tampa Bay would likely draft ahead of Kansas City due to tiebreakers.
Realistically, the Chiefs’ first-round pick will land somewhere between No. 8 and No. 12. For a franchise looking to reload rather than rebuild, the difference in those four slots can be the difference between a premier starter and a developmental prospect.
Addressing the Roster Holes
The high draft capital couldn’t come at a more crucial time. Speculation is rampant regarding Travis Kelce, who has dodged questions about retirement for weeks. If the future Hall of Famer hangs up his cleats, tight end becomes an immediate, glaring need.
However, the roster deficiencies extend beyond just one position. The defensive line has struggled to generate pressure consistently, with Chris Jones unable to replicate his past dominance throughout the 2025 campaign. An elite edge rusher or interior disruptor available in the top 10 would be an instant upgrade.
Offensively, the line needs reinforcement. While rookie tackle Josh Simmons has shown promise, the unit as a whole has regressed. Furthermore, the playmaking department lacks explosiveness. The Chiefs nearly pulled the trigger on a trade for Jets running back Breece Hall at the deadline, highlighting their desire for a dynamic weapon out of the backfield. With a top-10 pick, they could have their choice of the draft’s best skill position players or trade back to accumulate the capital needed to fill multiple gaps.
A Crucial Offseason Awaits
It is a strange feeling in Kansas City. For the better part of a decade, January has been synonymous with playoff runs and Super Bowl aspirations. This year, the focus has shifted early to scouting reports and mock drafts.
While the sting of a losing season is fresh for a fanbase and locker room built on winning, the consolation prize is significant. The 2026 NFL Draft offers a path to rapid retooling. If the Chiefs can navigate the final week of the season and secure a premium pick, this down year might just be the catalyst that extends their championship window for another generation.
