Arrowhead Pride

How much production is too much production to expect out of Kansas City’s rookie defensive linemen? The NFL Draft is all about hope. Hope for something new. Hope for something better. Hope for change. Wrapped up in that hope is the idea that the next player will be better than the last. Eventually, the hypothetical becomes real. The production speaks for itself, either for better or for worse. The harsh reality is that most draft picks don’t work out.

The contract of Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes has never been “normal” by NFL standards. His first long-term extension with the Chiefs was a 10-year deal, signed in 2020. It marked the first contract of that length signed by an NFL player since the early 2000s. There’s a reason it was a rarity: NFL contracts quickly become outdated, especially for the most premium of positions. The highest-paid quarterbacks in the league have turned into a list of the most recently paid quarterbacks.

In our “Let’s Argue” series, Mark Gunnels considers the hot takes, wacky predictions and unpopular opinions of Kansas City Chiefs fans from all over the world. The idea of bringing in Carolina Panthers wide receiver and former first-round pick Xavier Legette doesn’t sound bad in a vacuum. However, I don’t believe he’s worth giving up any draft capital for, and he’s not an ideal fit for what the Chiefs need at the receiver position.

Take a trip in your way-back machine. We’re going all the way to the mid-2000’s. Tom Brady of the New England Patriots is the greatest quarterback going. He’s already won three Super Bowls — and he’s on the verge of winning another. One problem. He’s run into a New York Giants team loaded with pass rushers coming at him from every angle. Pressure up the middle, in particular, gives him fits. The old mantra is the quickest way is through, and the Giants defense takes that to heart.

I’ll never forget the run the Kansas City Chiefs went on in 2023. It was unlike anything I’ve seen in this dynasty. The defense took its game to an entirely new level. Quarterback Patrick Mahomes’ postseason performance was that of a legend. Beating the Buffalo Bills or the Baltimore Ravens on the road would have been a crowning accomplishment for most franchises, so defeating both teams was nothing short of spectacular.

Danna comes to the AFC East from the AFC West where he spent the last six seasons with the Kansas City Chiefs. In 2025, the OLB made 14 starts and recorded 25 total tackles, one sack, one interception, four quarterback hits and three tackles for loss. Throughout his six-year career, Danna played in 87 games (49 starts) and accumulated 194 total tackles, 21.5 sacks, 25 tackles for loss, 51 quarterback hits, six forced fumbles and one interception.

The NFL Draft was supposed to be about the Kansas City Chiefs investing in more protection for quarterback Patrick Mahomes. That was the narrative, at least. National media bought it — hook, line and sinker. The reality seemed different, at least on the surface. The Chiefs did not select a single offensive lineman in this year’s draft class. The first offensive player of any position the Chiefs selected was running back Emmett Johnson with the 161st overall pick.

The hope the NFL Draft provides fans for an entire weekend can be euphoric, making us believe anything is possible. Then reality settles in. The picks made can only fill so many holes in the roster, and there are football games to be played around the corner. After being relatively active in the first wave of free agency, the Kansas City Chiefs entered the draft with perceived needs at wide receiver, defensive end, defensive tackle, and cornerback.

The 2026 NFL Draft came to a close on Saturday afternoon, paired with an annual avalanche of opinions from Kansas City Chiefs fans, national media, and local pundits. The theme ends up following the same pattern every year: go into the annual weekend with months of built-up mock drafts and expectations on what the team MUST do. Then, overreacting when the organization’s plan does not match as early as the first pick, like it’s the only important one of the weekend.

I like to think of the NFL Draft as a “Choose Your Own Adventure” book. Each individual decision impacts the next. Each reach means a potentially better player falls into an extra slot. Each trade alters the sequence of players off the board. It all amounts to an endless range of possibilities. For fans like myself, it’s the ultimate weekend of intrigue.