The time has come. Countless hours of tape, mock draft simulations, and scouting reports culminate in the next three days with the start of the 2025 NFL Draft. Rumors and smoke screens are in full effect this time of year, and we're giving our best shot at predicting what's real and what isn't for the Kansas City Chiefs.
To follow along with the best available prospects, check out our Arrowhead Addict Big Board customized exclusively for the Chiefs' needs. Otherwise, here's our final predictive mock for the 2025 NFL Draft and how we think things could play out with Brett Veach in charge of Kansas City's moves.
Round 1, Pick 24 - Joshua Simmons, OT, Ohio State
Trade: Chiefs send picks No. 31 and No. 95 for No. 24 from the Minnesota Vikings.
All draft season long, we've been resisting the urge to give the Chiefs a first-round tackle—partly because of their investment in Jaylon Moore and partly because of an underwhelming tackle class. However, there's more and more smoke that the Chiefs are serious about fixing tackle long-term. Josh Simmons might be the perfect scenario for this to work. With some lingering questions about his character and the recovery from his patellar tear, this is the only situation a player this talented falls to the Chiefs.
Simmons’ tape from 2024 is about as clean of tackle tape as you can find. He's played both right and left tackle dating back to his days at San Diego State. His ability to move fluidly in space and lock out rushers with his arms is impressive. His movement skills are above average, and his anchor and core make his pass protection seem natural. He could be the future left or right tackle for the Chiefs.
Shades of: Christian Darrisaw
Round 2, Pick 63- Darius Alexander, IDL, Toledo
The Chiefs typically have avoided older prospects on Day One of the draft but have opened up to older prospects on Day Two. Alexander will be 25 his rookie season, but his traits and movement skills are special. He sports an NFL-ready frame at 6-4, 305 lbs. His ability to sniff out screen plays and passes to the flat makes him a constant force in the short passing game. Despite playing in the MAC, he dominated at the Senior Bowl.
The Chiefs have an obvious need at interior defensive line; it’s likely their biggest need on the roster as it currently stands. Alexander profiles more as a penetrating 3-technique who can shoot gaps and make plays both as a pass rusher and run defender. He pairs nicely with Mike Pennel, who is more of a pure 1-technique run stuffer. Alexander can do lots of the things Tershawn Wharton did last year. The addition of Alexander makes this Chiefs defensive line scarier than it was last year.
Shades of: Christian Barmore
Round 3, Pick 90- Damien Martinez, RB, Miami
Trade: Chiefs send picks No. 66 and 251 to the Los Angeles Rams for picks No. 90 and 101.
The Chiefs have a history of drafting players that they've had in for a 30 visit. Obviously, K.C. won't draft every player who visits, but they at least usually select one or two.
Martinez has had three straight seasons of over 1,000 total yards between his time at Oregon State and Miami. He started the season a little slow but really surged toward the end of the year. He sports a big frame at 5-11, 217 lbs., and he does a little bit of everything well. He can run between the tackles, has enough burst to get outside in zone concepts, catches the ball well, and pass protects.
Running back is another position where there's an obvious need for the Chiefs. Martinez is a back you could ideally see becoming a true three-down back in the right system. In year one, he might not be the leading snap-getter, but he could easily be the Chiefs’ lead back down the stretch. He's not a home-run hitter with his average speed, but he's not going to miss open rush lanes and has enough burst to take advantage of what's there.
Shades of: Sony Michel
Round 3, Pick 101- Nohl Williams, CB, California
Williams checks lots of boxes for the Chiefs at corner, solidly built at 6-0 and 200 lbs. He's a willing run defender and tackler who excels in press-man coverage but also has experience in zone. His 14 career interceptions rank second in the class (Quincy Riley has only one more). Williams is a feisty competitor who has had some of his best games against NFL receivers such as Elic Ayomanor.
Williams projects as a starting outside corner. Ideally, he wouldn’t come in as an immediate starter for the Chiefs. With Kristian Fulton’s injury history, there’s a strong chance Williams could see major playing time, competing with Josh Williams and Nazeeh Johnson. Kansas City has a large wave of free-agent defensive backs in 2026—Nohl Williams, Fulton, and Trent McDuffie project as the starting corners for 2026.
Shades of: Trayvon Mullen
Round 4, Pick 133- Tai Felton, WR, Maryland
Keeping with the theme that the Chiefs tend to draft a few of their 30 visits, Felton is another player who met with Kansas City. Felton has been progressively climbing up draft boards this season, partly because he doesn’t have many holes in his game.
At 6-1 and 183 lbs., he's slender but not too frail to be used near the line of scrimmage. He lined up mostly outside at the Z or X until his senior year, when he gained some slot versatility. He showcases great top-end speed, combined with long strides and modest burst. He was used frequently in the screen and underneath game as well. He's not the most competitive at the catch point, which you'd expect from his frame.
While the current Chiefs receiver corps has talent, it lacks clarity and consistency right now. Felton is a modest investment who can find the field quickly, be more explosive than JuJu Smith-Schuster, and still have upside to develop. You can see him doing lots of the things Justin Watson did for the offense over the last few years. This gives the Chiefs' offense a nice young core of Worthy, Rice, Felton, and Martinez going forward after Kelce.
Shades of: Marvin Mims
Round 7, Pick 226- Cody Lindenberg, LB, Minnesota
A large and physical "mike" backer, Lindenberg has been a three-year starter for the Gophers. At 6-2, 236 lbs., he's not quite the animal that Leo Chenal is, but there are some similarities in their game. Lindenberg is certainly a player you want moving forward as often as possible. He was the leader of the Gopher defense and has been productive when on the field. Injuries and limited mobility are part of what makes him a late Day 3 pick.
Shades of: Jabril Cox
Round 7, Pick 257- Tommy Mellot, QB, Montana State
The Chiefs might as well make Mr. Irrelevant a fun pick, and Tommy Mellot is just that. The Chiefs have had several project QBs over the years, but Mellot brings a skill set none of them have had. His ability to run (4.39 40-yard dash) makes him an intriguing offensive chess piece. Clearly, he's not the future of the passing offense, but you could see a Taysom Hill/Julian Edelman–like path for him, where he grows into an offensive player with the ability to throw. It’s the last pick in the draft—get a guy with fun traits and see if you can use him in short yardage.
Shades of: Taysom Hill