The Kansas City Chiefs have largely decided to sit out the 2025 NFL free agency frenzy, choosing instead to run back most of the same group (minus Joe Thuney and a few role players) while plugging the gaps in the 2025 NFL Draft.
After the Thuney move and the team's constant struggles with giving Patrick Mahomes a solid left side of their offensive line, it makes sense as to why many of the mock draft prognosticators out there have the Chiefs using many of their premium picks in the trenches.
The latest round of mock drafts has the Chiefs focusing in the trenches on both sides of the ball, as those two areas are where free agency has taken the biggest bite out of the reigning AFC champions.
Chiefs targeting offensive line, defensive line in 2025 NFL Mock Draft roundup
Mel Kiper Jr., ESPN: Kelvin Banks Jr., OT, Texas
If Banks is available at this point in the draft, Brett Veach should sprint to the podium and let out a primal scream in celebration. Banks is a borderline Top 10 talent, and landing him at 31 could help Kansas City find a left tackle with Pro Bowl potential.
Grade: A+
Daniel Jeremiah, NFL.com: Josh Simmons, OT, Ohio State
Simmons would have been an A+ grade had he not had concerns about his health and durability. When at 100% health, there's an argument to be made that he is the best pass-blocking tackle in this class.
Grade: A
Sports Illustrated: James Pearce Jr., EDGE, Tennessee
Pearce reportedly has some attitude concerns, and pass rusher may not be the biggest area of need on this roster right now, but taking a chance on someone with his raw talent isn't the worst idea Veach ever had.
Grade: B
James Foster, The 33rd Team: Josh Conerly Jr., OT, Oregon
A smooth operator in pass protection with tremendous footwork and power, Conerly is a few more technical refinements and run blocking improvements away from being a high-end NFL starter on his rookie contract.
Grade: A
Ryan Fowler, The Draft Network: Walter Nolen, DT, Ole Miss
Nolen is pound-for-pound one of the strongest players in this class, pairing solid gap control with plus pass rush potential. Both Tershawn Wharton and Derrick Nnadi left in free agency, and Nolen makes sense as a replacement for them.
Grade: B+
Tom Fornelli, CBS Sports: Shavon Revel Jr., CB, East Carolina
Reven would be a huge cornerback at 6-3 who could add to a secondary that is far from elite at this point, but the Chiefs would be forgoing some top offensive line talent for someone who missed a huge chunk of time last season due to injury.
Grade: C+