Another potentially seismic NFL Draft has arrived for the Chiefs, who are looking to continue their dynastic run. With 73 players on their roster before the draft, the Chiefs’ top three positions of need are pretty clear — defensive lineman, offensive tackle and running back.
Entering this year’s draft, which starts Thursday night, the Chiefs have eight picks, including two in the third round and four in the top 100. General manager Brett Veach and his personnel staff have put together a draft board featuring more than 200 players.
A sizable number of the top prospects fit into one of the Chiefs’ positional needs and would also have a specific role within the team’s scheme during their rookie season.
Here’s our projection for how the Chiefs’ wish list could look on Days 1, 2 and 3.
Note: The Athletic’s draft expert Dane Brugler’s overall ranking from “The Beast” for each prospect is listed in parentheses.
Day 1 (Pick 31)
Derrick Harmon, DT, Oregon (16)
Veach acquired Jerry Tillery and re-signed Mike Pennel to one-year deals in free agency. It wouldn’t be surprising if the Chiefs selected a defensive lineman in the first round. Harmon is one of the most disruptive interior defensive linemen in this year’s class.
Josh Simmons, OT, Ohio State (20)
A left tackle prospect, Simmons had a pre-draft visit with the Chiefs earlier this month. Simmons is talented enough to be a Day 1 starter for the Chiefs. He could fall into the late first round because of the non-contact knee injury that ended his final college season. When healthy, though, he is a quality pass blocker.
Mykel Williams, DE, Georgia (21)
One reason Williams might slip in the first round is that he spent much of last season playing through a nagging ankle injury. Listed at 6-foot-5 and 265 pounds, Williams is a pass rusher Veach could move up for if the prospect is available after the 20th pick.
Georgia EDGE Mykel Williams (13, bottom of screen):
6-5, 265, long, quick and fast — can drop, cover and tackle in space. 😳 pic.twitter.com/ajrkgOyeW3
— Nick Baumgardner (@nickbaumgardner) August 31, 2024
Donovan Ezeiruaku, DE, Boston College (22)
The Chiefs need another athletic edge rusher. They still have George Karlaftis, who is a bull in terms of tenacity and relentless pursuit of the quarterback. Ezeiruaku would bring a nice balance on the opposite side. He can win one-on-one matchups with his athleticism. He ranked in the top three in the FBS last season in sacks (16 1/2) and tackles for loss (20 1/2).
Kenneth Grant, DT, Michigan (25)
Brugler describes Grant as a powerful 340-pound boulder. Kansas City could use that on its roster alongside pass rusher Chris Jones. At 6-3, Grant has similar traits to Jones, so it would be interesting to see how much the veteran could teach the rookie next season. There aren’t many prospects with Grant’s combination of size and ability in this class.
Luther Burden III, WR, Missouri (27)
This would be a luxury selection. But the Chiefs could see value in adding another quality receiver as a long-term, legitimate option alongside Rashee Rice and Xavier Worthy, especially because veteran Marquise Brown is on another one-year deal. Burden plays bigger than his 5-11 frame and has good speed to work in the middle of the field. He also has above-average run-after-catch skills, which the Chiefs always covet with their pass catchers.
Walter Nolen, DT, Ole Miss (31)
The Chiefs targeting Nolen makes a lot of sense. They need to add another interior defensive lineman, and Nolen has plenty of talent to be a pass rusher who can learn and develop next to Jones. Nolen, 6-4 and 296 pounds, was a first-team All-American last season, producing 6 1/2 sacks, 14 tackles behind the line of scrimmage and three pass breakups. He possesses explosiveness, above-average strength and playmaking ability to be successful in one-on-one matchups.
Trey Amos, CB, Ole Miss (39)
The Chiefs are almost always in the market to add a cornerback. Amos is an ideal candidate for the Chiefs. He’s listed at 6-1 and 195 pounds and can be effective in man-to-man and zone. Amos also enjoys playing with plenty of physicality.
Day 2 (Picks 63, 66, 95)
Elijah Arroyo, TE, Miami (41)
Arroyo is a compelling option if he falls in the second round. He is a super-talented athlete listed at 6-5 and 250 pounds. Arroyo could spend his rookie season learning from future Hall of Famer Travis Kelce, who could retire after the 2025 season. Last season, 71.4 percent of Arroyo’s 35 receptions resulted in a first down or touchdown. His top speed was 21.8 mph. Just six NFL players had a higher max ball-carrier speed in 2024, according to Next Gen Stats.
JT Tuimoloau, DE, Ohio State (43)
Similar to Karlaftis, Tuimoloau can rush the quarterback with power, be a plus-defender when setting the edge against the run and be tenacious enough to make second-effort splash highlights. Brugler believes Tuimoloau is one of the most well-rounded defensive prospects in this class.
Kaleb Johnson, RB, Iowa (44)
Johnson might have the perfect blend of skills that Veach and company are looking for in a running back. He has a smooth running style with quality vision and the skills to be a three-down back.
Jayden Higgins, WR, Iowa State (45)
Kansas City should consider using one of its Day 2 picks on a receiver, perhaps a prospect who has good speed but offers bigger size than the 5-11, 165-pound Worthy. Higgins, who is 6-4, generated more than 2,000 receiving yards over the past two seasons with the Cyclones.
Nic Scourton, DE, Texas A&M (48)
A thickly built, high-motor rusher, Scourton can win off the edge with the quickness and power to wear down blockers. The Chiefs should love his athletic tools and his aggressive play style. Scourton could be a nice rotational defender as a rookie.
Azareye’h Thomas, CB, Florida State (51)
Thomas looks like the prototypical cornerback that defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo covets. The 6-2 Thomas recovers well from missteps, which leads to him rarely getting beat over the top.
Quinshon Judkins, RB, Ohio State (60)
Judkins has the skills to be an above-average early-down back in the NFL. His best traits are his strength and run toughness. He scored three touchdowns in Ohio State’s win over Notre Dame in the national championship game.
Tre Harris, WR, Ole Miss (65)
If Higgins is off the board, the 6-3 Harris is another capable option. He still has the stride speed to be a factor on the perimeter. Harris could be a fit next to Rice and Worthy. The best parts of his game, Brugler said, are his hand-eye coordination and finishing toughness to make catches over defensive backs.
Jordan James, RB, Oregon (77)
If the Chiefs want a solid back, James is a worthy prospect. Listed at 5-10, he may not be the best in pass protection, but he can run the ball well and has the receiving skills to warrant consideration early in the third round.
Ashton Gillotte, DE, Louisville (78)
Gillotte could be an ascending player in the NFL. He offers good strength and tenacity off the edge and provides some position versatility as he can slide to the interior on third-down snaps.
Ozzy Trapilo, OT, Boston College (79)
Trapilo is an intriguing right tackle prospect who could be a natural match of talent meeting one of the Chiefs’ future roster needs. In the past two seasons, Trapilo has been a quality starter at the position, allowing just two sacks in 747 pass-blocking snaps, according to PFF. Right tackle Jawaan Taylor is unlikely to be on the Chiefs’ roster in 2026.
Harold Fannin Jr., TE, Bowling Green (82)
The Chiefs have spent time this month getting to know Fannin, who set single-season school records for catches (117) and receiving yards (1,555). He was the first consensus All-American in Bowling Green history.
Trevor Etienne, RB, Georgia (97)
Keep this 2024 quote from Veach in mind when considering running back prospects: “If you’re a running back for Coach (Andy) Reid, it’s a lot of fun because you have to be a better receiver than a runner to play in his offense. Brian Westbrook was the pinnacle.” Etienne, the younger brother of Travis, who plays for the Jacksonville Jaguars, offers plenty of speed and versatility.
Day 3 (Picks 133, 226, 251, 257)
Deone Walker, DT, Kentucky
A three-year starter, Walker was an interchangeable defensive lineman. He is a 340-pounder with a combination of size, strength and quick feet. His tape offers plenty of flashes where he created negative plays.
DJ Giddens, RB, Kansas State
Giddens offers the right combination of speed (he ran the 4o-yard dash in 4.43 seconds), vision and good hands as a receiver to be a part of the rotation next season.
Chris Paul Jr., LB, Ole Miss
Even though the Chiefs retained Nick Bolton in free agency, it might be wise for them to take a swing with Paul. Brugler called him a linebacker who sees the field well and had the dirtiest jersey on each tape he studied.
Tory Horton, WR, Colorado State
Horton is a speedy receiver who might be worth the risk on Day 3 after he suffered a knee injury last season.
Jordan Hancock, S, Ohio State
Hancock could be an immediate contributor on special teams, and if everything goes well, he could be the final safety on the Chiefs’ 53-man roster.
Caleb Ransaw, CB, Tulane
Spagnuolo should appreciate the versatility that Ransaw offers. Ransaw could learn Spagnuolo’s system as a nickel defender in his rookie season.
Andrew Mukuba, S, Texas
Mukuba was excellent last season and brings plenty of energy, instincts and speed to the secondary as a free safety.
Elijah Roberts, DE, SMU
An older prospect at age 23, Roberts is a powerful defensive end who has very long arms (34 inches)
KeAndre Lambert-Smith, WR, Auburn
Lambert-Smith might be the safest and most well-rounded receiver available on Day 3.
Upton Stout, CB, Western Kentucky
Brugler said Stout prefers press man to off-man coverage because he wants in on the action as a nickel defender.
Devin Neal, RB, Kansas
The local prospect was one of the most consistent running backs last season.
Oronde Gadsden II, TE, Syracuse
The 6-5 Gadsden ranked second last year among FBS tight ends with 17 contested receptions.
Esa Pole, OT, Washington State
A former basketball player, Pole didn’t start playing organized football until 2021. He didn’t allow a single sack last season.
Brashard Smith, RB, SMU
In college, Smith made the transition from receiver to running back. He was also the only FBS player last season with at least 1,300 yards rushing, 300 yards receiving and 300 kick-return yards.
Joshua Gray, G, Oregon State
Gray could be a nice addition to the practice squad as a developmental player if he does well in training camp and the preseason. He showed plenty of durability and consistency throughout his college career.
Jason Marshall Jr., CB, Florida
A four-year starter in college, Marshall could be a competent backup for the Chiefs.
Arian Smith, WR, Georgia
Smith is one of the fastest receivers in this year’s class, running a 4.3-second 40 at the combine.
Zy Alexander, CB, LSU
The 6-1 Alexander allowed just a 43.5 percent completion rate last season after returning from a knee injury.
BJ Adams, CB, UCF
The 6-2 Adams is a long defender with enough athleticism to play press-man coverage. He would be a developmental option for Spagnuolo.
(Photo of Kenneth Grant: Scott Taetsch / Getty Images)