Chiefs 7-round mock draft: Kansas City helps Patrick Mahomes at OL, TE in mock draft
The two-time defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs' 2024 season ended in heartbreak with a tough loss to the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl 59.
The Eagles dominated the trenches on both sides of the ball in the loss and exposed the Chiefs' shortcomings. Kansas City may have two-time MVP Patrick Mahomes at quarterback, but he can't overcome an overwhelmed offensive line and skill position group.
The Chiefs aren't flush with cap space in 2025. At time of publishing, they're 24th in the league in cap space with multiple players hitting free agency. Right guard Trey Smith should get a huge contract from another team and linebacker Nick Bolton, safety Justin Reid and edge rusher Charles Omenihu could all take their talents elsewhere this offseason.
Kansas City has done an impressive job of drafting and developing homegrown talent in recent years, especially on defense. They'll have to do that again this season to keep up in a competitive AFC.
The Chiefs are currently projected to have just six draft picks in the 2025 NFL draft, per Tankathon, but five of those picks are in the first four rounds. They're a prime candidate to trade down on Day 2 or Day 3 and get more picks later on.
Here's what our latest predictions are for the Chiefs with projected picks from Tankathon:
Kansas City Chiefs 7-round mock draft
*Projected compensatory picks are marked with an asterisk.
Round 1, No. 31 overall: Donovan Jackson, OL, Ohio State
After Mahomes spent most of the Super Bowl running away from pressure, offensive line has to be the top priority for the Chiefs. The team currently has $65 million tied up in center Creed Humphrey, guard Joe Thuney and tackle Jawaan Taylor. They need to hit on a draft pick there.
Jackson is a fascinating prospect. He spent most of his career in Columbus at guard before moving to left tackle due to an injury to starter Josh Simmons and performed very well. He has the frame to stick at tackle and the experience to slide in at guard. That makes him a flexible option for the team depending on how they view second-year lineman Kingsley Suamataia's development. Thuney played left tackle in a pinch last season and Jackson could safeguard that from happening again.
Round 2, No. 63 overall: Mason Taylor, TE, LSU
This is one of the best tight end classes in years and Taylor could be an heir apparent for Chiefs icon Travis Kelce. He brings a mix of physicality, body control and athleticism packed into a 6-foot-5, 250-pound frame. His hands were very reliable and he thrived underneath in his college career for the Tigers.
He wasn't targeted much at LSU due to the more downfield nature of the Tigers' offense but is well-suited for the NFL level.
Round 3, No. 66 overall: Quincy Riley, CB, Louisville
The Chiefs have a stable of young cornerbacks led by Trent McDuffie and add another player to develop and take over in time with Riley. The Cardinals cornerback is a standout athlete who thrives in zone coverage with very good ball skills (eight interceptions, 27 passes defensed in three years with Louisville).
Riley is likely going to slide down the board for many teams because he's 5-foot-10, which is on the shorter side for modern cornerbacks, and is one of the older prospects at the position. He'll be 24 by the time the season starts but he has the tools to keep progressing in the right environment.
Round 3, No. 95 overall*: Dylan Sampson, RB, Tennessee
This draft has one of the best running back classes in years. In a normal year, Sampson would be long gone by now. But the Volunteers standout is still on the board thanks to that depth and could be an asset for the Chiefs' offense.
Sampson's dynamic open-field movement and long speed make him a good contrast to Isiah Pacheco's hard-nosed running style. Sampson is a solid pass protector in the class but will need to improve as a receiver. In the Chiefs' ecosystem on offense, he could be given the opportunity to do so.
Round 4, No. 132 overall: Danny Stutsman, LB, Oklahoma
Bolton is hitting free agency and, if the Chiefs don't opt for another free agent to take his place, Stutsman could be a good option to replace him or fellow starting linebacker Leo Chenal, who is set to hit free agency next season.
Stutsman is a big prospect at 6-foot-4 and 243 pounds and hasn't shown the coverage skills most teams would like in the NFL. But he's a powerful tackler who hits the hole hard against the run in the mold of Bolton.
Round 7, No. 256 overall: Tyler Cooper, IOL, Minnesota
The Chiefs wait a while until the second-to-last pick in the NFL draft to make their final selection. Their choice is Cooper, a low-ceiling, high-floor pick from Minnesota. He's a long 6-foot-5 and 305 pounds but lacks the athleticism to see him go earlier than this. He'll be technically sound in pass protection and offer another piece on the offensive line to develop.