New Chiefs 2025 mock draft prepares for life after Travis Kelce

With Week 4 of the college football season on deck, we're ready for another weekend filled with games where we can get to know the game's best college players in the hopes of perhaps seeing some of them play for the Kansas City Chiefs in future years.

A new mock draft means a new opportunity to see how the draft might fall for the Chiefs. While draft order is obviously unknown, we've got the Chiefs in the 30s since they're chasing a three-peat and used to making such deep postseason runs.

Another wrinkle to mock drafts this early in the year is the unknown state of the roster. We don't know how players will progress, what injuries will occur, and/or what the team will do in free agency. For now, we are going to prioritize positions of need going forward such as edge, interior defensive line, interior offensive line, corner, and linebacker.

Round 1: Colston Loveland, TE, Michigan

Colston Loveland has been one of the top targets for Michigan's contending window. Obviously, with an offense that features the ground game at such a high level, it only makes sense for a tight end to be a big part of that offense. Loveland, who stands 6-5 and weighs 245 lbs., is a dynamic playmaker at the catch point and with the ball in his hand. He has a strong turn up the field once he has the ball and is above average blocker as well.

As a receiver, Loveland is a typical tight-end prospect who wins up the seams, in the flats, and in the intermediate. He has fluid hips and is an excellent mover at the tight end position. As an NFL three-down tight end, he's probably going to need to add some weight to help him win against press and jams at the line of scrimmage. Loveland will be the top tight end prospect for the 2025 class and figures to be drafted at the back end of the first round.

It's not fun to think about but life after Travis Kelce is coming sooner than we all want it to. The Chiefs have laid a solid foundation at tight end by extending Noah Gray. They added Jared Wiley in the 2024 draft who also helps raise the athletic ceiling of the position. Loveland can come in and develop (something very important for rookie tight ends) behind a veteran in Gray, Kelce, and Wiley. If Kelce rides off into the sunset in New Orleans they still have a dynamic 13 personnel set.

Shades of: Dalton Kincaid

Round 2: Jahdae Barron, CB, Texas

Jahdae Barron is a versatile defender who can run out wide, in the slot, or in the box. He's been described as the "STAR" defender for the Longhorns' defense, being used often on the opposition's top target. Despite average size, he's been effective at eliminating tight ends and pass-catching backs. Barron is able to line up all across the defense because of his advanced mental ability to read and react and to play several positions across the defense. He's explosive downhill and plays with a relentless motor.

Barron isn't the longest, fastest, or most fundamentally sound defensive back, but his ability to do so many things well make him a nice fit on any defense. He has some struggles with long speed and tackling out in open space but most of that is related to his eagerness. Barron has all the intangibles to be a great player and leader of a secondary.

The Chiefs are set to have a wave of free agents at corner and safety in the coming years. They are going to have to build depth at the position and remain committed to youth and athleticism. Barron's versatility and tenacity in the run game make him an ideal fit for a Spagnuolo defense and can help fill several roles along the secondary.

Shades of: Jalen Pitre

Round 3 (Titans pick): Donovan Jackson, IOL, Ohio State

Donovan Jackson came to Ohio State as one of the top interior offensive line recruits in the country. At 6-4, 320 lbs., he's got ideal size for a guard who uses his power and length to overwhelm rushers. He's a plus athlete out in space which makes him an excellent puller. He's a well-tenured player with lots of experience against high-level competition. At times, he gets too top-heavy and bends at the waist rather than winning with leverage.

Even though the Chiefs selected Hunter Nourzad in the 2024 draft, they will need to continue to invest in the interior of the offensive line. With the potential of losing Trey Smith and Joe Thuney in the next year or two, they will need to add depth and starters in successive offseasons. Jackson is a high-floor prospect who could easily start as a rookie. He brings several elements to the table that Trey Smith has as an explosive power blocker.

Shades of: Robert Hunt

Round 3: Jack Kiser, LB, Notre Dame

You can never have too many gritty, tough weakside linebackers from Notre Dame (Drue Tranquill's alma mater). Kiser profiles as a four-phase special teamer (2023 Notre Dame special teamer of the year) with defensive upside. He's a high-character leader on one of the best defenses in the country and is very cerebral. He's mainly a run-stopper right now but has been used in coverage. Though inexperienced he's been graded with a 79.2 PFF pass coverage grade. He's an excellent tackler who takes strong angles of pursuit and plays with a certain physicality that can't help but jump off the screen.

At 6-2, 230 lbs. Kiser is a tweener in size who will either need to cut or add weight to be a three-down player. However, the intangibles and the fundamentals make him the type of player every defense and roster would like to have. Testing will be important for him at the NFL Combine. If he comes out as an average athlete, the limitations of his frame and coverage ability might make it hard for him to find the field. However, some strong athleticism scores could showcase a raw athlete with upside.

Shades of: Divine Diablo