The 2026 NFL Draft is right around the corner – just a few weeks away – and the Kansas City Chiefs are sitting on a chest of picks we haven't seen in the Patrick Mahomes era. We're talking top-10 picks, three shots in the top 40 and eight picks in the first five rounds. Translation? Brett Veach has the ability to reload this roster in a big way with young, impactful talent.
Let's be real – the defense didn't exactly bring the heat last season. Casey finished 22nd in sacks, and the pass rush was unable to consistently get to the house. That has to be changed. Good news? This draft class is loaded with juice off the edge and playmakers in the secondary – exactly what the Chiefs need to get that unit back to championship level and take pressure off their high-octane offense.
With that in mind, here are two prospects that ESPN's Matt Miller is circling for draft night.
reuben ben jr
Reuben Benn Jr. is built like a wrecking ball off the edge – about 6'2"-6'3", 260-275, with a compact frame that's all about power and pop. Over three seasons (2023-2025), he prepared for 38 games and filled the stat sheet: 121 total tackles, 33.5 TFL, 20.5 sacks, as well as a handful of splash games with a forced fumble and even a pick.
But 2025? That's when he really flipped the switch – 54 tackles, 15.5 TFL, 9.5 sacks, and a ridiculous 92.5 PFF grade that put him in the top-three among all EDGE defenders in the country. Oh—and 67 total pressure. The dude was staying in the backfield.
Turn on the tape, and it's easy to see why he's climbing the boards. Ben has that explosive first step, plays with natural leverage, and wins with violent hands and a nonstop motor. He's not your typical tall, hunched pass rusher. He's more of a power disrupter who can break loose in the pocket and act as a bully. And it's not just pass rush juice, he's a legitimate edge-setter in the run game, stays disciplined in his gaps, and shows high football IQ through the game.
This is exactly the kind of chess piece DC Steve Spagnuolo likes. The Chiefs manage to generate pressure without constantly attacking, and Benn fits that mold perfectly. He can win outside, kick inside when passing underneath and create chaos from multiple alignments. Add to your production against top-tier competition, including big-time performances in playoff level games. And you're looking at a guy who's already been battle-tested.
The resume also supports it: ACC Defensive Player of the Year, All-American honors, the Hendricks Award, and one of the highest-rated EDGE defenders in college football. If Casey wants someone who can bring instant heat and toughen up that front, Benn has “plug-and-play disruptor” written all over him.
Avion Terrell
Avion Terrell is the type of DB that just screams 'Spags Guy'. At about 5'11'', 180-186 pounds, he's not the biggest corner in the class - but he plays much bigger than his measurables. A three-year contributor at Clemson (39 games, 31 starts), Terrell filled the stat sheet with 128 tackles, 30 pass breakups, 4 sacks, 3 picks and a ridiculous 8 forced fumbles – setting a Clemson DB record. This is not normal production for any corner... this is the creation of chaos.
His 2025 tape also supports this. He logged 46 tackles, 11 PBUs, 5 forced fumbles and 3 sacks, while locking things down in coverage, giving up only 340 yards passing all year. No interceptions, sure, but don't get it twisted, the QBs weren't testing him much. The man was still pressing and disrupting everything that came his way, earning All-American and First-Team All-ACC honors in the process.
And yes- check the blood lines. He's the younger brother of AJ Terrell, and you can see his polished, technically sound play throughout the film. He's disciplined, smooth and coachable, which is exactly what Steve Spagnuolo looks for in his DB room.
Is the plan suitable? Almost perfect. Spags likes corners that can do a little bit of everything – press, tackle, blitz, rotate inside – and Terrell checks every box. He has been lined up outside, kicked in the slot, and even comes down as a safety in run support. Blitz ability also emerges, with 4 career sacks and legitimate time off the edge.
But what really sets him apart is how he generates turnovers. Doesn't just pick up, he punches the ball. Those 8 forced fumbles (including 5 in 2025, leading the ACC) are elite production and fit perfectly into KC's defensive identity of causing chaos and stealing possessions.
Bottom line: This is not just a projection of symptoms. Terrell is a battle-tested, high-IQ corner with 31 starts, big-game reps and a playing style that fits Kansas City like a glove. Plug him into that secondary, and you'll get a tone-setter who tackles like a safety and plays every moment with that dog mentality.
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