The "Zen" of the 2026 Chiefs Draft: Pass Rushers, Pass Catchers, and Smokescreens
Why Investing in "Dudes" on the Defensive Line Trumps Reaching for a Tackle
In the final edition of Only Weird Games before the 2026 NFL Draft, Nate Taylor, Seth Keysor, and Joshua Brisco have reached a state of “Zen.”
The noise of mock draft season has been replaced by a clear-eyed strategy for the Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs: ignore the “right tackle” hysteria and double down on the trenches.
Nate Taylor reveals his official ESPN NFL Nation mock draft, where he stays at pick 9 and 29 to execute a defensive masterclass. At #9, Nate selects Miami’s Rueben Bain Jr., a relentless edge rusher who provides the “dude” presence missing opposite George Karlaftis. While Caleb Downs was tempting, the crew agrees that a dominant pass rush is the ultimate protection for Patrick Mahomes.
The highlight of the episode is Seth Keysor’s “apoplectic” dismissal of the rumors that Kansas City will take a tackle in the top 10. Seth argues that drafting a right tackle at #9 would be a “systemic misdiagnosis” of last year’s offensive struggles. He points out that Mahomes doesn’t need a 10-year tackle as much as he needs a pass catcher who can beat man coverage. Nate mirrors this at pick 29 by selecting Clemson’s Peter Woods, prioritizing a rotation of elite interior talent over a reach at wide receiver. The message is clear: win with depth, athleticism, and players who “love ball.”
Top Three Takeaways
The Rueben Bain Impact: Selecting a high-motor edge rusher at #9 is viewed as a necessity. Adding a legitimate threat opposite Karlaftis creates a domino effect that makes Chris Jones even more unblockable.
Tackle Rumors are Smokescreens: The crew believes the “tackle-at-nine” talk is a diversion. Seth argues that Jaylon Moore is a competent NFL starter and that the “opportunity cost” of passing on a blue-chip defender or receiver is too high.
The “Top 40” Mandate: To secure the next phase of the dynasty, the Chiefs must use their three picks in the top 40 (9, 29, and 40) on premium positions—specifically prioritizing a pass rusher and a man-coverage-beating weapon.