The 2025 NFL Draft is drawing closer and closer. Senior and Shrine Bowl invites are being sent out. At the college level, there are only two remaining weeks of regular season play. This means we're getting a clearer picture of who the top names are in the draft including who some experts think the Kansas City Chiefs might draft.
Per usual, the Chiefs are expected to pick at the end of the first round which has a big impact on what type of player they can get.
Let's take a look at who some of the biggest names in the industry have going to the Chiefs in our latest survey of 2025 mock draft drafts and who they are projecting for Kansas City.
PFF's NFL Stock Exchange Podcast- Jahdae Barron, CB, Texas
Our Grade: B+
Jahdae Barron is a highly versatile defensive back for the Longhorns. He's adequate size at 5-11 and 200 LBS he's had excellent ball production (4 interceptions in 2024) and plays with a tenacity that coaches will love. He'll bring a thump in the run game too. He's lined up in the slot, out wide, and at safety as well. Size-wise and role-wise the ideal outcome for him could be a player like Brian Branch who might be an all-pro this year. Steve Spagnuolo would love Barron on his defense and he profiles as a day 1 contributor.
For the Chiefs, there are some questions about him and Chamarri Connor playing on the field together. Maybe the answer is they just don't. Barron could be an upgrade in the slot something the Chiefs have needed. Barron, Watsona, and McDuffie would be a formidable plan for 2025. Ideally, we'd like to see the Chiefs go after a more pure cover corner that can live on the outside and get Trent McDuffie back into the slot. However, Barron certainly fits our motto of "draft good players"
Shades of: Brian Branch
33rd Teams 2025 NFL Mock Draft- Emeka Egbuka, WR, Ohio State
Our Grade: A+
Emeka Egbuka is the highly polished WR that we've come to expect from Ohio State. He's a strong route runner with average size who can win on the outside and in the slot. He's been used for YAC and in the intermediate part of the field. He's not a burner but he just consistently gets open and catches the ball. A loaded 2024 WR class and injuries held him back from entering the draft last year. Now he's poised to be one of the first receivers taken in 2025.
The Chiefs' need at receiver is obvious especially when you factor in that the future of Travis Kelce is uncertain and DeAndre Hopkins, Hollywood Brown, Justin Watson, and Mecole Hardman are all slate to be free agents. Oh, and Rashee Rice is coming off a major injury and a likely suspension. Egbuka fits exactly what the Chiefs need at receiver. Those of you upset that the Chiefs chose Xavier Worthy over Ladd McConkey can get that wrong righted with Egbuka, who also is running an NFL-style offense under Chip Kelly.
Shades of: Jaxson Smith-Njigba
CBS Sports 2025 Mock Draft- Tecario Davis, CB, Arizona
Our Grade: A
Tecario Davis is a long, physical press-man corner. At 6-4 195 lbs., he has the perfect Steve Spagnuolo cornerback frame. He uses his hands very well at the line of scrimmage. An impact run defender and tackler Davis is more than just a coverage player. Long speed and raw agility can be a concern for Davis as he can struggle to recover if beaten at the release point.
Davis is cut from the same cloth as L'Jarius Sneed with his tools and how he plays the game. Obviously, that's a lofty expectation to put on a rookie but the role can be similar for Davis. The Chiefs have lots of defensive backs about to be free agents and not hitting on Nic Jones or Kamal Hadden has really limited the youth in the secondary.
Shades of: Cam Hart
ESPN Mock Draft- Joshua Simmons, OT, Ohio State
Our grade: C
Joshua Simmons is a very raw prospect who has looked good in limited reps, but he is now out due to a season-ending knee injury. At 6-5 310 lbs., he's got a tackle's frame with long arms and plus movement skills. With the injury and the lack of reps, it's probably 50/50 if he actually comes out this season.
This isn't the season to be aggressive for tackle in the draft. The top guys might all end up being guards or at least potential guards. Most of the top prospects in the class have arm length and body type concerns. Simmons might be one of the few who actually has a tackle body and length but because of the lack of playing time and injury it might be better to let someone else to take the risk on Simmons if he comes out.