B-
Kansas City Chiefs
Grand theft in Round 5, Pick 29: the Chiefs steal Benson and grade out a B-.
by Kenny proctor ·
2026 NFL Draft
· 9 picks
· 4 steals
· 3 reaches
The best pick of the weekend was also the simplest. The Chiefs watched Malik Benson slide 23 picks past his grade and did not hesitate.
They will need Halton to outplay his draft slot in a hurry to justify it. They punted on quarterback, and it is the miss that keeps the grade honest.
Wide receiver was the priority and it is no longer a question, which is most of the job. The trenches got the money picks, top to bottom.
All told, a solid class that does its job everywhere but quarterback.
Pick-by-Pick
In the 9th pick they get a disruptor off the edge, even if it was a touch early.
In the 29th overall pick they get a seam-stretching tight end, outstanding value to boot. It fills the loudest need on the roster.
The board had cheaper options than Gabe Jacas at slot 40, and it noticed. A need, and now a little less of one.
Jadarian Price at pick No. 74 is the sort of value that quietly wins a weekend. It shores up a spot that genuinely needed the help.
The board screamed and they did not listen, reaching into the next round for Gracen Halton. It plugs a real leak on the depth chart.
Eli Raridon at pick 148 is money in the bank, a tight end taken below his worth. Top of the wish list, and they did not leave without it.
Malik Benson in No. 169 should not have been possible, and that is the whole point. The biggest hole on the depth chart just got a whole lot smaller.
A straight-up fair deal on Aamil Wagner at Round 5, Pick 36, value and slot in agreement. That was the need underlined and circled, and now it is checked off.
They paid sticker price for Toriano Pride Jr. in No. 210, and that is fine. It thickens a room that could stand to be thicker.