Not much time remains before the 2025 NFL Draft. Soon enough, teams will have new additions to their roster, and rookies will be ready to take on rookie minicamps. The Kansas City Chiefs are one of the more fascinating teams to monitor during this draft. Among playoff teams from last year, Kansas City can go a number of different directions with their selections.
Chiefs fans and overall NFL fans have been conducting their own mock drafts in the lead-up to the actual event. Of course, fans will believe that they came away with the best possible haul imaginable. They are not the ones privy to the final reasons as to why a team may or may not take a player, nonetheless.
Decision makers have a job to improve the team, regardless of how fans will react. But in the end, the fan reactions are part of what makes the NFL Draft one of the more fun events on the NFL calendar.
What would an uninspiring draft class look like for the Chiefs? A lack of excitement may not always be due to the player's profile itself. It could be more about whether a team's need is addressed or not. Fans may also think that there is too much development needed for an incoming pick.
With those notes in mind, let's look at a mock draft that prepares us for the possibility that the Chiefs might serve up a frustrating draft class compared to fan hopes and expectations.
Round 1, Pick 31- Tyler Booker, G, Alabama
Tyler Booker could go in the back half of the first round. If not, he may not last long on day two of the draft. Booker is known more as a physical, downhill blocker. As left guard at Alabama, he was much more noticeable and impactful as a run blocker. As a pass blocker, he can get on his toes and lean too far too often.
Why Chiefs fans may despise this pick is due to a few different factors. For one, adding a guard in round one would likely keep Kansas City fans wanting more. Left guard is still up for grabs. But, Kingsley Suamataia is expected to have a chance to start for that role. And after franchise tagging Trey Smith, the Chiefs are hoping to keep him locked up for the long haul.
Elsewhere, Booker lacks the athleticism and foot speed that most Chiefs' blockers have possessed. If Kansas City's front office were to go this route, they may be looking to balance things out a bit more offensively. In the end, Chiefs fans are likely expecting an offensive tackle if K.C. goes offensive line right away.
Round 2, Pick 63- Kevin Winston Jr., SAF, Penn State
Kevin Winston Jr. was a serviceable starter in 2023. But in 2024, he only appeared in three games for Penn State and missed the rest of the year with a knee injury. His size, length, and tackling skills likely stand out as the traits that teams will like about him. But in the end, it is interesting to see where he will be taken coming off of a lower-body injury.
The injury is one reason that may give Chiefs fans pause. Additionally, safety is a spot that the Chiefs could easily fill later on in the weekend. They have more pressing holes to fill along the defensive line, both at end and tackle. If Kansas City goes with a safety as their first defensive selection, fans may be wondering if their pass rush can improve enough next season, in terms of production.
Round 3, Pick 66- Gunnar Helm, TE, Texas
Gunnar Helm offers an intriguing profile among a fun tight end group. His ability after the catch, along with his size, drew excitement in his last season at Texas. Helm really became a nice security blanket for Quinn Ewers inside of the Longhorns' offense in 2024.
It would not be surprising to see the Chiefs add a tight end, given that Travis Kelce is getting closer and closer to hanging it up. Helm could still be a solid addition. But entering the draft, other tight ends jump off the page more. Helm could be faced with questions of being in an offense that led to too easy of grabs in space or near the line of scrimmage. On top of that, the route tree of Helm is limited. His combine performance also places more worries going into his NFL career.
Round 3, Pick 95- Jack Sawyer, EDGE, Ohio State
Jack Sawyer will live in Ohio State lore, due to his strip-sack and fumble return for a touchdown against Texas in last year's College Football Playoff. That helped push the Buckeyes to a National Championship victory down the line. Sawyer was able to grow into a defensive leader by the end of his college career.
Sawyer would be a bit of unique fit for the Chiefs as a pass rusher. His length is modest, at best. There is not much to his pass rush arsenal, in terms of counter moves. But in the end, Sawyer will offer a high amount of motor and effort. With such a huge need on the defensive line, that sort of addition may only provide a minimal boost in the pass rush rotation.
Round 4, Pick 133- Jalen Rivers, OL, Miami
Jalen Rivers appeared in parts of five seasons for the Miami Hurricanes. All told, he could gain interest from teams as someone who could move around the offensive line. His experience at both guard and offensive tackle is something teams will gravitate towards. That versatility was stabilized at times, though, due to injuries in a couple of his campaigns.
Rivers is a player who offers a solid floor. But overall, more development is needed for Rivers to grow into his full potential. It would not be stunning to see the Chiefs add multiple offensive linemen on draft weekend. But after taking a guard early, a player with this sort of profile could leave Kansas City fans wanting someone with a clearer role.
Round 7, Pick 226- Nick Nash, WR, San Jose State
Nick Nash has altered positions in his football journey. After starting as a reserve quarterback for San Jose State, the team transitioned Nash into a wide receiver. He has decent size for the position. But in terms of how he wins, Nash is used to leaning on contested catches and will need to refine things as a route runner.
Does that raw of a pass catcher really make sense for the Chiefs? They could wait to add a wide receiver until late. However, Kansas City has to get more serious about adding young depth at this spot. Keeping Patrick Mahomes happy with a more complete wide receiver will be key moving forward. That may take a dip into the wide receiver class at an earlier point on the weekend.
Round 7, Pick 251- Cam Horsley, DT, Boston College
Cam Horsley is going to be a run-stuffing piece for any NFL team that adds him. You will not get much of a pass rusher with this defensive tackle. On one hand, the Chiefs could do well to add a run-stuffer into the mix. But with Horsley, there are plenty of other highly ranked defensive tackles available this year.
It is similar to the Nash selection, where the need should likely be addressed earlier. But depending on which route Kansas City goes, they could view other positions with better value earlier. Time will tell how the Chiefs go about addressing arguably their greatest defensive team need.
Round 7, Pick 256- Ja'Quinden Jackson, RB, Arkansas
Ja'Quinden Jackson wrapped up his college career with the Arkansas Razorbacks. That was his third school during his college football career. Jackson's dense frame and strength would match what the Chiefs have utilized at running back recently, but in the end, waiting to address another significant team need until round seven would cause some angst and panic among K.C. fans. Take a dip into one of the best running back groups in recent memory much earlier.