With the 2025 NFL Combine just days away, draft season is in full swing. The Kansas City Chiefs front office must quickly refocus from competing for a Super Bowl to nailing a key free agency period and draft cycle. As of right now, the Chiefs are slated to have six picks in the 2025 draft.
It's important to remember that mock drafts are not about trying to generate the dream scenario for your favorite team. Instead, they are an exercise in what can happen. It's about mapping out the different scenarios of what can happen before and after the Chiefs' selections.
Ultimately, a draft is about getting good players no matter what position they play or where they are taken. Be sure to follow our NFL Draft Big Board tailored specifically for the Chiefs' needs this draft cycle. We will be adding more players and scouting profiles throughout the draft cycle.
Now onto the Chiefs' mock draft
Round 1, Pick 31 - Jahdae Barron, CB, Texas
When you watch Jahdae Barron play, one word comes to mind: explosive.
Barron became the centerpiece of a very good Texas defense over the last two years. Last year, he played predominantly out of the slot, however, in 2024, he kicked out wide and still maintained his high level of play. Credited with 8 interceptions and 24 passes defended, he's a playmaker on the ball. Other appreciated elements of his game are his strong run defense and tackling ability—watching him blow up a screen or a jet sweep is exciting.
Barron's ability to play out wide or in the slot provides flexibility with Trent McDuffie. Chamarri Conner isn't good enough to assume the slot role is locked down. Barron also provides a nice playmaker for the secondary long term after players like Justin Watson and Bryan Cook potentially leave.
Barron's ability to tackle in space makes him an ideal fit for the Chiefs' defense. His playmaking skills on the ball can help the Chiefs' defense become more dynamic at generating takeaways—something they've struggled with recently.
Round 2, Pick 63 - Elic Ayomanor, WR, Stanford
Ayomanor profiles as a WR who can find the field quickly as a blocker and as a vertical threat. It's often underrated how important it is to have a willing blocker at the receiver position. Ayomanor also brings a vertical element to the passing game, and not just with speed, because he can also win at the catch point.
At 6-2, 210 lbs., Ayomanor brings a different physical profile to the receiver position than the Chiefs currently have. Especially with questions in the air about Travis Kelce's future, the Chiefs need to have a body who can win as an isolated X receiver. Ayomanor comps similarly to early career JuJu Smith-Schuster.
With the emergence of Xavier Worthy, the Chiefs' receiver corps at least has some answers even without Rashee Rice (who could miss time with a suspension). However, without Justin Watson, Mecole Hardman, Hollywood Brown, Smith-Schuster, and/or DeAndre Hopkins, the Chiefs need bodies at receiver.
Ayomanor is a high-level fit because of his blocking and work down the field. He's not an elite route runner currently, but he can beat press coverage and make the Chiefs harder to defend against man coverage.
Round 3, Pick 66- Quinshon Judkins, RB, Ohio State
Judkins is yet another talented running back in what is a very talented class. He brings power, one-cut running ability, and strong contact balance. He profiles as a full-time back that can work in a variety of schemes.
Judkins has a rare ability to cut and bounce in and out of running lanes combined with burst and power. He lacks elite top-end speed and hasn't had a huge impact in the passing game as a receiver or as a pass blocker, but those traits aren't non-existent.
The Chiefs have to get more dynamic at the running back position, point blank. Even if Isiah Pacheco can rekindle some of his previous productivity, Judkins can still impact the offense in a number of ways. There are some similarities to their game, but Judkins brings better balance through contact and vision without the same top speed.
Pacheco's injury history alone makes an investment in Judkins worth it. The upside for him in this offense is similar to that of early career Kareem Hunt. He can be an elite starting back in the league.
Round 3, Pick 95 - Gunnar Helm, TE, Texas
After three season at Texas, Helm took the spotlight as a receiver in 2024 with the exit of Ja'Tavion Sanders. Helm was mostly a blocker prior to 2024, but this year, he broke out with 60 receptions for 786 yards and 7 touchdowns with inconsistent QB play.
Helm is a serviceable blocker who can put his hand in the dirt. He brings ideal length and above-average after-the-catch ability. The overall burst isn't elite but he's strong at the catch point.
With the Travis Kelce question still unanswered, the Chiefs need to invest in the tight end position. While the Chiefs gave a vote of confidence to Noah Gray last off-season, the Chiefs' tight end position is never going to be the same without Kelce. A trio of Gray, Wiley, and Helm brings three serviceable pass-catching and blocking options to the tight end position, raising the floor of the position.
Round 4, Pick 132 - Jeffrey Bassa, LB. Oregon
Bassa converted from safety to linebacker his freshman year at Oregon. Those safety skills show in his fluidity and transitional movement in space as a coverage player. At 6-1, 210 lbs., you're not going to confuse Bassa for a thumper in the run game, but he has dramatically improved his tackling ability and still plays downhill well.
Despite the safety background, Bassa has not made a ton of plays on the ball. The coverage ability and athleticism make him an interesting developmental prospect for a defense and profiles as a day-one contributor on special teams.
If the Chiefs move on from Nick Bolton that puts Drue Tranquil as the likely Mike linebacker and keeps Leo Chenal in the same role as the strong-side backer. Bassa projects as a developmental starter. His ability to cover is exciting, but the lack of diagnosing as a run stuffer might limit him in year one.
Ideally, the Chiefs would invest in a veteran linebacker and bring Bassa along throughout the year similar to Jaden Hicks in 2024.
Round 7, Pick 256 - Elijah Roberts, IDL, SMU
Roberts is the rare late-round prospect that still brings pass-rushing upside. He was credited with a 92.0 pass-rush grade via PFF.
As a two-year starter at SMU, Roberts racked up 63 total pressures and 8 sacks. At 6'3" 290 lbs., some teams will be uncertain whether to play him at defensive end in a 3-4 scheme or at defensive tackle in a 4-3. His profile matches some of what Tershawn Wharton brought to the Chiefs defensive line. He wins with power as a dense body, and he also has some pass rush moves in his bag. He's just struggled converting those into sacks.
Currently, Chris Jones is the only defensive tackle under contract for the Chiefs. It's an obviously large need for the roster, although there's probably a decent chance that Mike Pennel, Derrick Nnadi, or Turk Wharton are back in some capacity. However, Roberts brings much-needed youth and pass-rush upside to the interior.
Roberts is not going to be a two-gapper that you can line up over the center, but he can move bodies and has the inside-outside flexibility the Chiefs like from their defensive linemen.
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