Overview
- ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. projects Kansas City to take Miami edge Rueben Bain Jr. at No. 9 and South Carolina corner Brandon Cisse at No. 29 after the Trent McDuffie trade and cornerback departures.
- Heavy, citing a Bleacher Report proposal, outlines a scenario in which the Chiefs trade up to picks 5 or 6 to target elite edge defenders David Bailey or Bain, though staying at No. 9 remains a possibility.
- New Orleans’ early signings — Travis Etienne Jr., David Edwards, Kaden Elliss, Noah Fant and Ryan Wright — have reduced immediate offensive needs and set up a best‑player‑available approach at No. 8.
- A Yahoo Sports roundup of a dozen post–free agency mocks most frequently links the Saints to Ohio State receiver Carnell Tate, with some projections naming USC’s Makai Lemon or top edge options David Bailey or Rueben Bain Jr.
- Multiple new mocks emphasize the edge-driven top of the draft — including pass rushers going at Nos. 2–4 — while offering divergent Chiefs paths such as Daniel Jeremiah’s projection of OT Spencer Fano at No. 9 and a first‑round corner later.