Well, that wasn't fun. The Kansas City Chiefs' three-peat fell just short in a devastating Super Bowl loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. But on the bright side, the Chiefs are not picking dead last in the draft.
In all seriousness, losing in the playoffs always reveals a team's biggest flaws and the Chiefs are no exception to this. We've seen the Chiefs' weaknesses get exposed in the playoffs before and spark big changes: the offensive line in 2020 and the defense in 2021. There will be plenty of changes to be made to the Chiefs roster going forward.
The NFL Draft will be a big part of the overhaul and is just 12 weeks away. Legal tampering for free agent negotiations starts in a month. There's lots of work to get done and not much time. So let's fire up a 7-round mock draft to help leave the Basin Street Blues in New Orleans.
Round 1, Pick 31: Aireontae Ersery, OT, Minnesota
Raised in Kansas City, Ersery has a prototypical tackle build and great linear explosiveness in the run game. He has the tools in his bag laterally as well to move bodies in an outside zone scheme as well. His 81-inch wingspan makes it hard for pass rushers to get an angle on him when he's framed on the edge.
Ersery did well at the Senior Bowl and exhibited some nice reps against potential first-round picks Mike Green and Landon Jackson. That said, pass sets and hand usage are definitely the weakness with Ersery. There's limited flexibility in his hips and knees right now which limit his fluidity and kick step.
Overall, the Chiefs should not view Ersery as a day one starter at left or right tackle. The run blocking is ready but the pass pro is not, and the team has already experienced what that can look like with Kingsley Suamataia.
The Ersery selection really comes down to throwing numbers at the position's issue. Maybe Suamataia or Wanya Morris will be a guard next year. Maybe Ersery is the replacement for Jawaan Taylor, who is likely on the roster in 2025. Either way, the Chiefs have very limited avenues to draft starting left tackles in Round 1, so they just have to keep rolling the dice and building depth until they find one.
Round 2, Pick 63: Isaiah Bond, WR, Texas
Early in the college football season, Bond would've been viewed as a first-round pick far out of the Chiefs range. He was off to a hot start this season but saw a dip in his production towards the back half of the year—partly due to an ankle injury.
Bond's primary trait fits what the Chiefs love: speed. At 5-11, 180 lbs., he's more dense than Xavier Worthy and his speed is different; it's more short area acceleration similar to Zay Flowers. There's not quite the production or route-running profile that Worthy came out with, but with the twitch he has, Bond can win in the slot or out wide.
The Chiefs offensive line failed in the Super Bowl, but the receivers not named "Worthy" struggled to break free from coverage. The Chiefs offense has become slow and they need to continue to stretch the field. Bond, Worthy and Rice makes the Chiefs far more explosive. The Chiefs have admired the Sarkisian offense before and might go back to that well again.
Round 3, Pick 66: Darius Alexander, IDL, Toledo
Darius Alexander first turned some heads with his incredible pick-six in a bowl game against Pitt. He turned even more heads at the Senior Bowl with his impressive week.
At 6-3, 303 lbs., Alexander's movement skills are special. The violence and explosiveness he possesses from the interior make guards look like they are standing still. He rushes the passer with a plan and fits the run. Some play height issues can see him get washed out in the run game and he's not the most bendy, rusher but the traits are exciting.
The Chiefs' interior defensive line needs to get more explosive especially if they lose Tershawn Wharton who turned in a very solid 2024. With lots of questions along the interior of the defensive front, the Chiefs need to start hitting on some draft picks inside. Alexander has some nice developmental traits and could also flex outside against the run as well.
Round 3, Pick 95: DJ Giddens, RB, Kansas State
In a loaded running back class, it feels like Giddens is going mostly overlooked. With two seasons of over 1,200 yards in a contemporary and modern run game, Giddens's best trait is his elusiveness and lateral agility. He's able to jump cut in and out of running lanes and possesses a special ability to make tacklers miss in the open field.
Similar to a youthful Kareem Hunt, Giddens doesn't possess elite top-end speed but it's enough. With 650+ receiving yards in college, he can also factor into the passing game.
The Chiefs have to get more explosive on offense and that includes running back. Hopefully, a healthier Isiah Pacheco can make a bigger impact but the Chiefs need to continue to try to find a lead back. Giddens has that ability and can be a game-changer on offense. With the loaded RB class, it's reasonable to think they can get Giddens late on day two.
Round 4, Pick 132: Tyler Baron, ED, Miami
Tyler Baron is an older prospect at the age of 24, something the Chiefs usually don't draft until Day 3. Baron brings a nice long frame to the edge position and sets an excellent edge in the run game. He possesses nice hand swipes and pass rush bend, but he's not overly explosive off of the ball. He's also not a high-level athlete at the position. There's not a big record of productivity here, but Baron can contribute early as a run defender and grow into a rotational role as well.
With Charles Omenihu hitting free agency, the Chiefs will need some depth along the edge position. Baron is much closer to a Mike Danna-type player than a George Karlaftis, but the Chiefs have to keep investing in their defensive line and hope Felix Anudike-Uzomah takes the next step as a pass rusher. Baron can play 10-15 snaps a game early and has a frame that could develop into more.
Round 7, Pick 256: Tommi Hill, CB, Nebraska
This August you could find Tommi Hill at the back end of the first round of mock drafts. Hill had a great start to the season and has a profile that the NFL will covet.
At 6-00, 205 lbs., Hill is a long physical corner with a receiver background (converted in high school). He brings a physical tackling profile in the run and screen game as well. He returned kicks for the Cornhuskers and had a highlight pick-six on likely 1st-round pick Shedeur Sanders. However, injury really held him back in the latter part of the year and a slow Senior Bowl also didn't help.
The Chiefs will need to start stockpiling CB picks to prep for the wave of the 2022 class hitting free agency. Hill can play outside and hopefully move McDuffie back into the slot. He has a very "Spagsy" profile and at one time was highly thought of amongst the draft community. The Chiefs haven't hit on a corner lately after missing with Nic Jones and Kamal Hadden. Hill needs to be a hit.