With the free agency window rapidly approaching and the NFL Scouting Combine in the rearview mirror, we're gaining a bit more clarity about the state of the Kansas City Chiefs and their long-term priorities going into the new league year.
The Chiefs are in a unique position where their offseason can go several different ways based on the future of Chris Jones and L'Jarius Sneed. For today's seven-round mock draft, we will stick with the going assumption that Sneed will be traded and Chris Jones will be retained.
To learn more about the players selected in this mock draft or to see our rankings of draft prospects. Be sure to bookmark the Arrowhead Addict Big Board.
Round 1, Pick 27: Brian Thomas Jr. WR, LSU
In this mock, the Chiefs traded pick 32 and L'Jarius Sneed to the Arizona Cardinals for pick 27 and a 2025 4th-round pick. Using the Jimmy Johnson trade chart, the difference between pick 27 and 32 is 110 points of value which is approximately a pick at the very end of the 3rd or the start of the 4th round. Adding a 5th-round pick the following year pushes the value solidly to a 3rd-round pick a realistic package for Sneed.
The Cardinals have a ton of cap space, plenty of picks, and a defense with almost no stars. Sneed can be a cornerstone of their roster.
Congratulations on reading a mock draft that does not have Texas speedster Xavier Worthy going to the Chiefs in Round 1. While it is no secret the Chiefs love speed they get a much safer prospect who still has game-breaking speed at 6'2" and 203 lbs. Thomas is an elite athlete who led all of college football in receiving touchdowns this year with 17.
The Chiefs are 100% adding a field-stretcher this off-season. They've had one as long as Andy Reid has been in town. Thomas can come in year 1 and be exactly what Marquez Valdez-Scantling was in 2022 (not 2023). He's not a fully developed route runner, but with his size and speed, he could be a true WR1 with the right coaching.
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