The Kansas City Chiefs defeated the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LVII with the help of their 2022 NFL draft class. A whopping nine draft picks played snaps, with four drawing starts in the big game.
For Kansas City, the draft will become ever more vital as they get deeper into Patrick Mahomes’ contract. They must continue to find young talent to contribute early in their careers to keep their window open in a very competitive AFC conference.
With only a few weeks until the draft, all 32 NFL teams are narrowing their choices before making the trip to Kansas City. The free agency period continues to shake up team needs, changing some plans in various recent mock drafts.
Here’s a look at the latest mock drafts and who analysts have sent to the Chiefs in the first round:
Sports Illustrated - Gilberto Manzano
Chiefs select Tennessee WR Jalin Hyatt
The reigning champions have depth issues at multiple positions with the departures of wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster, edge rusher Frank Clark and right tackle Andrew Wylie. But the Chiefs need more weapons for Mahomes, and could opt for Hyatt, a speedy playmaker with reliable hands.
CBS Sports - Tom Fornelli
Chiefs select Oklahoma OT Anton Harrison
Harrison has improved every year at Oklahoma, and while he’s probably never going to be an elite run-blocker, the priority for a Kansas City offensive lineman will always be protecting Patrick Mahomes, not opening run lanes. Harrison will do that.
NBC Sports Edge - Kyle Dvorchak
Chiefs select Iowa State EDGE Will McDonald IV
McDonald has the size of an outside linebacker but played four and five-tech defensive end at Iowa State. It will be an awkward transition for him into the NFL, but the Chiefs can afford to give him opportunities to learn while also putting on some extra weight. Developing McDonald will be worth their time if they can harness his elite burst off the line that is backed by a strong production profile.
The Draft Wire - Jeff Risdon
Chiefs select Georgia OT Broderick Jones
The Chiefs trade No. 31, No. 95 (3rd round) and a third-round pick in 2024 to the Giants
The Giants trade No. 25 and No. 172 (5th round) to the Chiefs
FOX Sports - FOX Sports Football Staff
Chiefs select Iowa State EDGE Will McDonald IV
The Chiefs’ pick at 31 could go in any direction. They could use a receiver, pass-rusher/defensive lineman and possibly a right tackle. But there’s no one on their board with a first-round grade left in this mock draft, so a trade back is possible here. After their Super Bowl LIV win, the Chiefs luxury-drafted a running back (Clyde Edwards-Helaire), and I could see them going tight end with Oregon State’s Luke Musgrave with the same idea. In the end, I went with a position of need and a pass-rusher who was highly productive in college. McDonald had 34 sacks and 40 tackles for loss at Iowa State. Adding him to the roster gives the Chiefs four legitimate pass-rush options. – Geoff Schwartz
NFL.com - Adam Rank
Chiefs select Oregon State TE Luke Musgrave
I know that all of your fans think I hate your team. But outside of the Royals eliminating the Angels in the 2014 MLB playoffs, I have no real beef with Kansas City.
The world is your oyster right now, as the defending champs with an all-timer under center. Travis Kelce is still the best tight end in the game, but good lord, getting the speedy Musgrave on this team might be criminal. I say you take a swing here.
Pro Football Focus - Steve Palazzolo
Chiefs select Boston College WR Zay Flowers
Flowers is the best pure separator in the draft class. Defensive backs won’t be able to stick with him across on his route breaks unless they’re holding him. He racked up 1,077 yards and 12 scores this past season.
Notes on latest mock drafts:
The prospect of a trade detailed by Jeff Risdon of the Draft Wire is intriguing and realistic with the New York Giants as the partner. The Giants and Chiefs have done plenty of business in the past, so it wouldn’t be a farfetched plot to move up from 31st overall.
Several mock drafts continue showing the Chiefs favoring adding an EDGE rusher. Will McDonald, out of Iowa State, has the pass rush ability that Steve Spagnuolo craves from his defensive line so that they may move in that direction. The prospect of adding a wide receiver early takes another hit with the recent updates on Justyn Ross and the signing of Richie James.
