Kansas City Chiefs' draft class fits like a glove and that's what makes it so exciting

The 2024 NFL draft is officially in the books.

Overall, 257 names were called across three nights in Detroit, with seven players—Xavier Worthy (WR), Kingsley Suamataia (OT), Jared Wiley (TE), Jaden Hicks (DB), Hunter Nourzad (OL), Kamal Hadden (DB) and C.J Hanson (OL)—becoming the latest members of the Kansas City Chiefs.

Now, I won't profess to be a draft analyst or college football expert, but having watched the draft unfold and after watching each of Kansas City’s selections, I’ve got my own assessment of the group that the Chiefs put together.

Every single card turned in by the Kansas City Chiefs made sense, which could be said for several NFL teams during the draft.

Simply put, I love this draft class. Why? Because it was smart. Every single draft card turned in by the Chiefs made sense, which is more than can said for selections made by Atlanta and Denver, in particular.

The Chiefs were able to address almost all their needs—a dynamic target at wide receiver, offensive line help and replacement pieces in the secondary.

Crucially, they found value with each pick as well. The Chiefs traded up twice but paid moderate prices to do so. They didn’t overreach or overpay, again, a statement not every NFL team can champion.

However, the thing that I like most about each of the players is the way they fit within the roster. The picks not only fill holes in the roster, they complement it. Talent and skill is one thing, but having the right player in the right system at the right time can be just as important.

Xavier Worthy is a prime example. A speedster, he ran the fastest 40-yard dash ever recorded at the NFL Combine, bringing an obvious weapon to Kansas City. But he also fits perfectly into Kansas City’s wide receiver group as a whole. Paired with Hollywood Brown—another lightning quick wide out—the Chiefs possess the ability to blow the top off just about any defense in the NFL.

If teams combat that with a two-high look, that leaves room underneath for Rashee Rice to exploit, as well as space and potential one-on-one match-ups for Travis Kelce to feast on. Throw in Andy Reid’s fondness for screens and jet motions, plus the new kick-off rules, and it’s easy to see how Worthy fits perfectly into Kansas City’s system. He is also a ready-made replacement and upgrade for both Mecole Hardman and Kadarius Toney, too.

The same can be said for Kingsley Suamataia, a talented offensive tackle and supreme athlete that slipped into the second round.

His technical skills may need refinement, but his athleticism ranks among the top of all offensive line prospects, and he will be able to slot into an elite line next to the likes of Joe Thuney, Creed Humphrey, and Trey Smith.

The fits don’t stop there. TCU tight end Wiley has an eerily similar playing style and skill set to Travis Kelce, and he will now have the opportunity to learn from the great man himself in an elite offense with no immediate pressure to succeed.

Jaden Hicks and Kamal Hadden add depth to the secondary and could help fill the shoes left by L'Jarius Sneed. Hunter Nourzad has played at center, right tackle, and left guard in college, providing flexibility along the line and a potential succession option if the Chiefs can’t agree to an extension with center Creed Humphrey.

Seventh-round choice C.J Hanson is credited with an even higher Relative Athletic Score than his new teammate Suamataia.

All in all, every pick the Chiefs made in Detroit just makes so much sense.

There were no bombshells, like Atlanta's bemusing decision to take Michael Penix Jr with the eighth overall pick. No head-scratchers like Denver panic drafting Bo Nix way higher than his value is worth. And no missed opportunities, like Las Vegas’s inability to come away with a quarterback whatsoever.

I don’t know how each of Kansas City’s picks will play out. To be frank, nobody does. Some will go on to become serviceable players in the NFL, while others won’t. Maybe one or even two will go on to become stars.

But whether the players become hits or misses, the process behind their selection is smart, logical, and well-calculated. Each player addresses an area of need that the Chiefs have, while also fitting in to the system that is already there.

And in the end, Patrick Mahomes seemed thrilled with the draft class as well, and that is good enough for me.