With the college regular season officially over, all that is left is the rest of bowl season and the College Football Playoff. Several prospects won't be suiting up for their bowl games as they begin preparation for the NFL draft. This marks a significant point in the NFL draft cycle as many prospects have played their final snaps of college football.
The Kansas City Chiefs head into the draft with 6 picks including 4 within the top 100. The Chiefs roster has lots of large looming questions over it going into 2025. Let's take a crack at trying to fix them.
Don't forget to also check out our top 25 Chiefs Big Board for the NFL draft. Now let's get into a full 7-round mock draft to see what the Chiefs draft class could resemble.
Round 1, Pick 31: Jahdae Barron, CB, Texas
The Longhorns' defense is a huge part of why they are headed to the college football playoff, and you can't help but notice Barron when you watch their defense. He is a fiery competitor who loves to play downhill and punish ball carries in the flats and in the screen game. He's had a knack for generating turnovers and has been a solid coverage option out of the slot and out wide as a cover corner. Ideally at the NFL level, his lack of length would have him move inside as a nickel corner.
A few years ago, the Chiefs missed out on a potential All-Pro slot player in Brian Branch when they selected edge rusher Felix Anudike-Uzomah. The Chiefs still have that All-Pro slot in Trent McDuffie but he's shown enough to live on the outside. Chamarri Conner has been killed out of the slot for the Chiefs and Barron brings exactly what Spagnuolo loves to the position.
Shades of: Jalen Pitre
Round 2, Pick 63: Deone Walker, IDL, Kentucky
Deone Walker has been a name that many have associated with the first round so it might be surprising to see him at the end of the second round. There are some concerns about his play height and the decline in production from 2023 to 2024. However, the frame and the athleticism are still enticing to any defensive line coach. For Walker, there just needs to be more consistency from down to down and game to game, but the traits are certainly worth a gamble.
At a projected 6-6, 350 lbs., Walker projects to be a three-down interior defensive line presence next to Chris Jones. His pass-rushing profile is part of why he can be seen in the first round of some mocks. He will need some work to become an impact run defender, but the hope is the Chiefs upgrade their pass rush with Walker and can develop him into a complete player
Shades of: Gervon Dexter
Round 3, Pick 70: Nick Emmanwori, S , South Carolina
Emmanwori is a large physical presence who brings explosiveness and agility to the safety position. He looks like an extra linebacker out there with his length. In coverage, his size helps him cover larger-bodied receivers, especially tight ends. He has fluid hips and transitions out of his break smoothly for a bigger body. He's an impact run defender and punishes pass-catchers over the middle of the field. He's likely not the coverage player you want as a deep safety but he has lots of utility beyond that.
With Justin Reid set to be a free agent and the regression we've seen from Bryan Cook and Chamarri Conner, safety should still be a draft need. Hicks and Emmanwori can be the future of the position as they work in Cook and Connor. With the two young safeties, Trent McDuffie, and Jahdae Barron, the Chiefs' secondary becomes relentless downhill and aggressive at the catch point.
Shades of: Kyle Duggar
Round 3, Pick 95: Jaylin Noel, WR, Iowa State
Jaylin Noel is a senior, team captain, and the top passing option for the Cyclones. He's moved all around the formation, including out of the slot and out wide. His short-area quickness and burst make him a reliable option off the line of scrimmage and in YAC situations. He doesn't have elite long speed to stretch the field or the size to be a contested catch weapon, but he runs a nice route tree and is dynamic in space.
Ideally, the Chiefs keep one of DeAndre Hopkins or Marquise Brown around for another season in this situation. The combination of Hopkins/Brown, Rice, Worthy, and Noel is a nice foundation for the offense moving forward. As Rice heals up, Noel can do some similar things out of the slot that Rice did. The Chiefs' wide receiver corps would be able to be scheme versatile and stretch the field with this combination of playmakers.
Shades of: Romeo Doubs
Round 4, Pick 132: Trevor Etienne, HB, Georgia
Trevor Etienne, brother of Jacksonville Jaguars back Travis Etienne, has been the lead back for the Georgia Bulldogs in '24. He transferred from Florida where he was a key piece to their offense in 2023.
As a runner, he has strong vision and lateral agility that help him jump cut gaps. His speed makes him a strong candidate for an outside-zone scheme. He also profiles as a pass-catching option and an element in the screen game. His size will probably limit his ability to be an every-down back and there are some maturity questions stemming from a DUI arrest last summer.
Etienne would profile as the third down and change of pace back for the Chiefs behind Isiah Pacheco. You can see some similarities in his game to his brother, who also plays in an Andy Reid offense in Jacksonville. The Chiefs have long looked for a viable third-down passing back, and they've filled that role with various stopgaps like Jerick McKinnon and Samaje Perine. Etienne provides a dynamic element to the running back room and can split some carries with Pacheco.
Shades of: Travis Etienne
Round 7, Pick 221: Nash Hutmacher, IDL, Nebraska
Nash Hutmacher and his running mate Ty Robinson have been the driving force behind the black shirt's defense this year. Nash is a former state champion wrestler who also wrestles at the collegiate level for the Cornhuskers. He profiles as a two-gapping run-stopper who wins with leverage and power. He's not a high-level explosive athlete and injuries slowed down his production in 2024 after a strong 2023. Teams will love his size at 6'5 and 330 lbs. as well as his wrestling background.
In 2023, we saw the Chiefs take a swing on a two-gapping run stuffer in Keondre Coburn. That didn't work out but the Chiefs defensive line needs some beef, especially when you factor in the potential losses of Derrick Nnadi, Mike Pennel, and Tershawn Wharton to free agency. Nash needs to come in and do one thing: stop the run.
Shades of: Mike Pennel