Everything you need to know about the KC Chiefs 2021 draft class

The 2021 NFL Draft is underway and the K.C. Chiefs are finally going to make their first official selections. The first round came and went on Thursday night without a single pick from the Chiefs, but very few in the Kingdom will complain about the cost required to secure the services of Orlando Brown Jr. at left tackle—hopefully for years to come.

Heading into Day 2, the Chiefs are scheduled to make two picks before making another four on Day 3. Given that they’ve already addressed their biggest need at left tackle, general manager Brett Veach has been quite clear that the Chiefs feel free enough to go in any direction “other than quarterback.” That’s a great feeling for the team but it also makes it very difficult to predict what the team might do.

Mock drafts often have the Chiefs going with an interior offensive lineman, a pass rusher, or a wide receiver, but there are cases to be made for linebacker and defensive back. Whoever it is will hope to follow in the footsteps of other successful second round picks in recent draft history for the Chiefs, including defensive tackle Chris Jones, center Mitch Morse, safety Juan Thornhill, and center Rodney Hudson.

Here’s a central hub for everything you need to know about the Chiefs 2021 draft class.

We’re here to keep you posted on all things related to the Chiefs draft class, and we’ll be keeping this tracker updated throughout the weekend as a central hub for all information and insight into the team’s rookie class. Who will make up the Chiefs draft class of 2021? We’ll find out soon.

1. Second round – No. 58 overall – Nick Bolton, LB, Missouri
The first pick in the 2021 rookie class has been named as Nick Bolton, a player who won’t have to go too far to transition from his college home to the pros as a former Missouri Tiger.

2. Second round – No. 63 – Creed Humphrey, C, Oklahoma
After shoring up some needs at linebacker, the Chiefs have wrapped up a complete reinvention of the offensive line by selecting an impressive young center in Creed Humphrey.

3. Fourth round – No. 144 – Josh Kaindoh, DE, Florida State
Perhaps the single most glaring need remaining on the roster, defensive end looks quite thin in terms of quantity and quality at this point in the offseason, especially after Frank Clark on the depth chart. Kaindoh offers a developmental talent who never made the sort of hoped-for impact in college after coming in as such a heralded recruit.

4. Fifth round – No. 162 – Noah Gray, TE, Duke
Brett Veach finally delivers on his promise to bring in some help for Travis Kelce this offseason with the addition of the Duke tight end.

5. Fifth round – No. 182 – Cornell Powel, WR, Clemson
The Chiefs grab a promising wideout with Cornell Powell, a late bloomer at Clemson who finally showed out after being buried on the depth chart for much of his collegiate career.

6. Sixth round – No. 226 – Trey Smith, OL, Tennessee
With their final pick of this year’s draft class, the Chiefs take a chance (medical) on an absolute mauler of a guard in Tennesee’s Trey Smith.