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The Kansas City Chiefs lost a Super Bowl for the second time in the Patrick Mahomes era in 2024. The franchise made its fifth championship game in the last six years last season but fell short as the Philadelphia Eagles raced out to a big lead and held on for a blowout win.
With Mahomes under center and coach Andy Reid on the sidelines, the Chiefs are always Super Bowl contenders. The loss stung but Kansas City has a better understanding of its shortcomings heading into the 2025 season.
The Chiefs made a few moves in free agency to offset a few departures. Most important was retaining guard Trey Smith, who was set to hit free agency. Kansas City also signed reinforcements at tackle (Jaylon Moore), cornerback (Kristian Fulton), safety (Mike Edwards) and defensive line (Jerry Tillery; they also re-signed Charles Omenihu).
Now, it's on to the draft for Kansas City to find more talent to help its quest for another Super Bowl title. Here's a look at how the Chiefs could use their eight selections in the 2025 NFL draft:
Simmons likely would not be available at this spot had he not suffered a season-ending knee injury. That is to Kansas City's gain. Simmons could essentially take a year off if need be while the team evaluates Moore and right tackle Jawaan Taylor. When healthy, Simmons was arguably the best tackle in the class. He could be brought along slowly and give Kansas City a long-term answer at the position.
Tight end is one of the best positions in the draft class and the Chiefs can get a weapon for the future in Taylor. The sure-handed son of Hall of Fame defensive end Jason Taylor offers ideal body control and great size for the position. In time, he could grow into franchise icon Travis Kelce's successor.
The Chiefs signing Fulton hardly keeps them from looking at cornerbacks sooner than later in the draft. Morrison may fall in the draft due to an injury-shortened 2024 season, but he has ideal size for outside cornerback and great linear speed. He's best in zone right now but can grow into a starter for the Chiefs.
Isiah Pacheco missed time in 2024, forcing the team to rely on Kareem Hunt and Samaje Perine for stretches. Harvey could be a great compliment to Pacheco in the backfield; he's a standout receiver and open-field threat who can go the distance at any time. He's only played running back for a couple of years and has great upside in an incredibly deep running back class.
Chris Jones will be 31 by the start of the season and, even though he has shown no signs of slowing down, eventually the team will need younger talent on the interior. This is a very deep defensive line class at both edge and tackle and Jackson brings the size Kansas City tends to like at the position. At 6-foot-6 and 322 pounds with nearly 35-inch long arms, he has a high floor as a run defender with the tools to improve as a pass rusher.
Kansas City lost safety Justin Reid in free agency and brought in Edwards as a rotational piece. Second-year safety Jaden Hicks showed promise last year, but Jackson offers another insurance policy. Jackson started just one season in Athens but had 64 tackles, five passes defensed and two interceptions in 2024. He's fast with great instincts against the run, a not-too-dissimilar skill set to what Reid showcased on a weekly basis for the Chiefs.
A low-cost, high-upside option at tackle, Crenshaw-Dickson has the tools to be at least a solid backup tackle at 6-foot-7 with an 84⅛-inch wingspan. He's a competitive tackle who shows his aggression in run blocking but needs some improvement in his technique. There would be little rush to get him on the field, making it easier for him to work along at a steady pace.
In a normal class, Batty likely would be a mid-Round 6 selection, but he's dropped down the order in such a deep edge rusher group. He's flashed potential at 6-foot-5 and 265 pounds but hasn't put it all together consistently technique-wise. He brings a high motor and ideal size, which is enough to have on a roster as a rotational rusher.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Chiefs mock draft: Travis Kelce successor, OL help keys to class
Continue reading...
With Mahomes under center and coach Andy Reid on the sidelines, the Chiefs are always Super Bowl contenders. The loss stung but Kansas City has a better understanding of its shortcomings heading into the 2025 season.
The Chiefs made a few moves in free agency to offset a few departures. Most important was retaining guard Trey Smith, who was set to hit free agency. Kansas City also signed reinforcements at tackle (Jaylon Moore), cornerback (Kristian Fulton), safety (Mike Edwards) and defensive line (Jerry Tillery; they also re-signed Charles Omenihu).
Now, it's on to the draft for Kansas City to find more talent to help its quest for another Super Bowl title. Here's a look at how the Chiefs could use their eight selections in the 2025 NFL draft:
Kansas City Chiefs seven-round mock draft
Round 1, No. 31 overall: OT Josh Simmons, Ohio State
Simmons likely would not be available at this spot had he not suffered a season-ending knee injury. That is to Kansas City's gain. Simmons could essentially take a year off if need be while the team evaluates Moore and right tackle Jawaan Taylor. When healthy, Simmons was arguably the best tackle in the class. He could be brought along slowly and give Kansas City a long-term answer at the position.
Round 2, No. 63 overall: TE Mason Taylor, LSU
Tight end is one of the best positions in the draft class and the Chiefs can get a weapon for the future in Taylor. The sure-handed son of Hall of Fame defensive end Jason Taylor offers ideal body control and great size for the position. In time, he could grow into franchise icon Travis Kelce's successor.
Round 3, No. 66 overall: CB Benjamin Morrison, Notre Dame
The Chiefs signing Fulton hardly keeps them from looking at cornerbacks sooner than later in the draft. Morrison may fall in the draft due to an injury-shortened 2024 season, but he has ideal size for outside cornerback and great linear speed. He's best in zone right now but can grow into a starter for the Chiefs.
Round 3, No. 95 overall: RB RJ Harvey, UCF
Isiah Pacheco missed time in 2024, forcing the team to rely on Kareem Hunt and Samaje Perine for stretches. Harvey could be a great compliment to Pacheco in the backfield; he's a standout receiver and open-field threat who can go the distance at any time. He's only played running back for a couple of years and has great upside in an incredibly deep running back class.
Round 4, No. 133 overall: DT Cam'Ron Jackson, Florida
Chris Jones will be 31 by the start of the season and, even though he has shown no signs of slowing down, eventually the team will need younger talent on the interior. This is a very deep defensive line class at both edge and tackle and Jackson brings the size Kansas City tends to like at the position. At 6-foot-6 and 322 pounds with nearly 35-inch long arms, he has a high floor as a run defender with the tools to improve as a pass rusher.
Round 7, No. 226 overall: S Dan Jackson, Georgia
Kansas City lost safety Justin Reid in free agency and brought in Edwards as a rotational piece. Second-year safety Jaden Hicks showed promise last year, but Jackson offers another insurance policy. Jackson started just one season in Athens but had 64 tackles, five passes defensed and two interceptions in 2024. He's fast with great instincts against the run, a not-too-dissimilar skill set to what Reid showcased on a weekly basis for the Chiefs.
Round 7, No. 251 overall: OT Brandon Crenshaw-Dickson, Florida
A low-cost, high-upside option at tackle, Crenshaw-Dickson has the tools to be at least a solid backup tackle at 6-foot-7 with an 84⅛-inch wingspan. He's a competitive tackle who shows his aggression in run blocking but needs some improvement in his technique. There would be little rush to get him on the field, making it easier for him to work along at a steady pace.
Round 7, No. 257 overall: Edge Tyler Batty, BYU
In a normal class, Batty likely would be a mid-Round 6 selection, but he's dropped down the order in such a deep edge rusher group. He's flashed potential at 6-foot-5 and 265 pounds but hasn't put it all together consistently technique-wise. He brings a high motor and ideal size, which is enough to have on a roster as a rotational rusher.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Chiefs mock draft: Travis Kelce successor, OL help keys to class
Continue reading...
