The college football season is already underway with an exciting upset in Dublin, which means it's never too early to start thinking about the Kansas City Chiefs 2025 draft class.
As the college football season progresses it's always interesting to watch the rise and fall of various prospects as we inch closer and closer toward April's main event. Some of these prospects could not play another snap this year and still be round 1 picks. Others might go from first-round prospects to undrafted free agents.
As always here at Arrowhead Addict, our prospect rankings are based on the perceived needs of the Chiefs organization. Obviously, we don't know the future, but we can take an educated guess at some of the areas of need for 2025—including corner, edge, interior defensive line, interior offensive line, and running back.
There are other needs, too, but you won't see us ranking quarterbacks or placing an emphasis on centers or other positions with long-term answers.
1. Will Johnson, CB, Michigan
Named the defensive MVP of last year's National Championship, Johnson had a breakout sophomore season. Named the top prospect in the 2022 recruiting class Johnson has lived up to the hype. At 6-2 and 200 lbs., he has the size and athleticism to be the next great corner in the league.
2. Mason Graham, IDL, Michigan
Graham has been truly unblockable the last few years at Michigan. He has been the juice to the Michigan trenches. With a killer first step and strong hands, Graham can get in the backfield in the blink of an eye. He's every bit the prospect that Byron Murphy II and Jalen Carter were. His ability in the run game makes him an incredibly high-floor prospect.
3. Will Campbell, OT, LSU
You always know when there's a great prospect when they jump off the screen when you're evaluating other players. With Campbell, he stood out this year while evaluating any of the LSU receivers or their QB. Campbell is so smooth, he glides into his pass set. He recovers well and has excellent hands. He is almost always left on an island as a blocker as well. He plays with high hips which he makes work for him despite not being the recommended height.
4. Luther Burden III, WR, Missouri
The former 5-star recruit has been the crown jewel of the recruiting changes at Missouri. Burden is a do-it-all receiver that broke out last year. Despite being 5'11 and 205 lbs. he plays much bigger than his size. He high-points the ball well, He has the speed and tackle-breaking to be a YAC weapon, too. He's seen the most success out of the slot and could use some more reps winning on the outside as a route runner, but overall a very high-ceiling prospect.
5. Malachi Starks, S, Georgia
Starks might be the best safety prospect since Derwin James or Kyle Hamilton. He is the ultimate chess piece in a defense being able to align in the box, deep, or in the slot. He's big, fast, and strong and held Luther Burden III to just 3 catches in their matchup in 2023.
6. Mykel Williams, ED, Georgia
Another former five-star recruit, Williams has all the tools to be the next great edge-rushing prospect. At 6-5 265 lbs. with power, speed, and bend Williams is a scheme-proof edge rusher at the next level. Last year he only had 4.5 sacks which is partly due to the heavy rotation Georgia runs. With a big year, he could be on a similar path as former No. 1 overall pick Travon Walker.
7. Travis Hunter, CB/WR, Colorado
Evaluating Hunter can be difficult not just because of his position versatility but also because of the sheer amount of snaps he plays. Ranking #2 on Feldman's freaks list, it's exciting to think about what Hunter could do with fewer snaps and greater focus on one side of the ball. The team that takes him will have to have a plan in place to best use his skills. I view him as a far better corner prospect than a receiver, but you don't want to limit that part of his game.
8. Benjamin Morrison, CB. Notre Dame
Morrison is coming off being a freshman All-American in 2022 with six interceptions and led Notre Dame in passes defended (13) last season. At 6-0, 180 lbs., he's got enough size to live on the outside at the next level. What jumps out about his tape is how solid he is as a technician. On rep after rep, you can find him winning with footwork and press skills while not stacking penalties. Feels similar to some of the things that were said about Trent McDuffie coming out of Washington.
9. Nic Scourton, ED, Texas A&M
Former teammate of George Karlaftis, the former Boilermaker is now with the Aggies. Scourton is an ideal Spagnuolo edge rusher who stands at 6-4 and 280 lbs. He's a power rusher with a wicked spin move and can set an edge in run defense. He was the only player in the Big 10 with double-digit sacks in 2023. He would be an excellent pairing with George Karlaftis and Chris Jones.
10. Emery Jones, OT, LSU
On the other side of the LSU offensive line from Will Campbell (above), Jones is a much different player than his left-side counterpart. He is a powerful run blocker who has been called upon to start since his freshman year. He has an ideal tackle body and moves well in space. Consistency is what's going to separate him from being a top tackle in the class or a fringe first-rounder.
11. Kelvin Banks Jr. OL, Texas
Banks has been one of the mainstays of the resurgence of the Texas program. His big, bulky build makes it hard for blockers to get by him but he remains nimble in pass protection. He has some of the best hands of any offensive linemen I've looked at thus far. He does a great job of getting his hands on defenders. Arm length will be big in the spring, he could move inside at the next level but the floor is very high for a player with his skill set similar to Skoronski and Fautanu.
12. Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Arizona
It will be a fun battle to see who will be the first pass catcher taken: McMillan or Burden? Ultimately, it just comes down to preference. McMillan is a more typical "X" at 6-5, 210 lb., and he high-points the ball extremely well. He's an above-average route runner and is better with the ball in his hands than you'd expect. Less explosive than Burden but more consistent against press man and at the catch point.
13. Deone Walker, IDL, Kentucky
At 6-6 348 lbs., Walker is a space-eating monster but he's more than just a body to plug gaps. He's agile on his feet and even has snaps lined up at edge. His movement skills at that size are special and he's a beast with snaps. He plays a ton of snaps. Led all FBS defensive tackles in pressures (51) as a sophomore last season.
14. Colston Loveland, TE, Michigan
The tight end position is getting better and better out of college, and Loveland is the best prospect at the position in this class. He's dynamic with the ball in his hands and at the catch point too. He's an impact player down the seam and a better route runner than most college tight ends. Surprisingly, he's not the best blocker at this point but his offensive output makes him a top pick.
15. Harold Perkins JR. LB, LSU
This draft is the draft of the "HLB" or the hybrid linebacker. There are several defenders in this class who are going to bring up the name Micah Parsons. Parsons is 1 of 1 and most of these guys won't be dominant edge rushers. Perkins can rush, play off the ball, and cover. How he's utilized at the next level will be key. Is he Micah Parsons or is he Isaiah Simmons?
16. Shavon Revel Jr, CB, East Carolina
Last year we saw a big rise for Quinyon Mitchell from Toledo through the draft process. Dane Brugler from The Athletic was the first I saw with Mitchell on a watchlist, and this year he's pegged Revel as another small school riser. At 6-3 200 lbs., Revel has the size and ball production (12 passes defended) to compete. Ranked 35th on the Feldman's Freaks list, Revel will do well in the draft process and could be a riser this spring.
17. Abdul Carter, LB, Penn State
Wearing the prestigious #11 for the Nittany Lions always carries some history. Carter has tons of traits that might translate to being a dominant edge rusher in 2024. In 2023, he spent most of his time at off-ball linebacker while Adisa Issac and Chop Robinson came off the edge. Carter is another HLB right now but might move higher as he moves to edge for a season. He's a little smaller than a Spagnuolo edge traditionally is, but the twitch and first step are enticing.
18. Kenneth Grant, IDL, Michigan
At 6-3 340 lbs., Grant is a block-eating nose tackle who moves extremely well for his size. He profiles similarly to some of the things T'vondre Sweat did to become a second-round pick. Teams are getting serious about stopping the run with light boxes and Grant can help do that.
19. Aireontae Ersery, OT, Minnesota
A Kansas City kid (Ruskin High School), Ersery became the Gophers' left tackle in 2022 and hasn't looked back. He's a smooth mover with a big frame. He has strong technique and is a violent run blocker. It's rare to find this combination of length (6-6, 337 lbs.) and athleticism with years of left tackle experience.
20. Tyler Booker, IOL, Alabama
Tyler Booker jumped out to me last year when evaluating J.C. Latham. It can be hard to evaluate top SEC interior offensive linemen because of the sheer amount of talent across it. Booker is a classic Bama blocker with power and explosiveness in the phone booth. In the run game, Booker finishes blocks well and uses his massive frame well. As a pass blocker, there's some needed growth against speed rushers. The size and power translate well to the next level.
21. Denzel Burke, CB, Ohio State
Burke is an excellent man corner that utilizes his wing span and straight-line speed to match receivers. Burke has solid technique but at times can get to the ball too quickly and result in penalties. Consistency is going to be a key area of growth for him in 2024. A solid year and he has the traits to be a top corner in the class.
22. Jabbar Muhammad, CB, Washington
Muhammad first popped on film for me when watching the Huskies' run to the playoffs last year. Washington has a historic reputation for coaching up their corners to be pro-ready, and Muhammad can be the next chapter in that story despite transferring to Oregon. Muhammed is a smaller-framed corner but he matches defenders well and excels in off-man coverage. His size might limit him to the slot at the next level but the coverage skills are special.
23. JT Tuimoloau, ED, Ohio State
The production has never matched the hype for Tuimoloau (11 career sacks) but the traits provide a high enough floor. He plays with excellent strength against the run and pass and has moderate bend around the edge. He sets the edge well and just needs to develop more pass-rush moves.
24. Landon Jackson, ED, Arkansas
An absolute unit of an edge rusher Jackson is 6-7 and 280 lbs., Jackson is a senior with a troubling injury history dating back to a high-school ACL tear and ankle injuries before transferring from LSU. That said, he's been injury-free his last two seasons for the Razorbacks. He's a solid run defender who racks up plenty of tackles in the opposing backfield. Jackson is also versatile enough to slide inside as a 5-tech due to his flexibility despite his size.
25. Tommi Hill, CB, Nebraska
Another member of Feldman's Freaks list, Tommi Hill is a cornerback built more like a safety who is expected to dominate the pre-draft season with a sub 4.40 time in the 40. He's also already posted a 41-inch vertical leap. A former receiver, he switched to corner full-time in 2023 and the ball skills were evident.