The Chiefs offense would take on new dimensions if it follows the projections of our final 7-round mock draft of the spring.
With the 2024 NFL Draft scheduled to start in Detroit in a matter of days, it’s time to finalize the draft board and lock in who the next Kansas City Chiefs will be.
For our final mock draft, we are going for a predictive model of what we think the Chiefs will do based upon player fits, value pockets of the draft, and positions of need.
With that being said, it’s impossible to truly predict what a team will do in the draft, since the Chiefs don’t even know how it’s going to play out.
To keep up with all of the best prospects in the NFL Draft, make sure to bookmark the Arrowhead Addict Big Board, a Chiefs-specific draft board tailored to the team’s roster needs.
Round 1, Pick 32: Ladd McConkey, WR, Georgia
You’re going to be hard-pressed to find a player who is more refined at route running in this draft than McConkey. He runs exquisite routes and generates separation against man at a high rate. Don’t let the stereotypes get in the way of his perception though, he is a high-level athlete who can win on the outside and be used in YAC situations. He brings something the Chiefs offense has lacked over the years with refined route running and the ability to beat press man. The Chiefs’ interest in Dionte Johnson this off-season shows they have an interest in this type of player.
Why this player?
Besides the traits of McConkey, the Chiefs go with a receiver at 32 here based on value. The chances of the 7th or 8th tackle making more of an impact on the 2024 offense than McConkey are slim. After the top 3 tackles go off the board (Alt, Fashanu, and Fautanu), there’s not a 1st round tackle talent that could confidently start at LT in Week 1. So why spend pick 32 on a developmental tackle (Guyton or Suamataia) when other developmental tackles on day 2 are very similar in talent.
Another position that could’ve been drafted is the defensive line. But, unless Byron Murphy or Jer’Zahn Newton fall, there’s not a player that jumps off the page for KC. Darius Robinson could be an interesting prospect however, recent pro-day testing makes it really hard to see him being effective at edge at the next level. This makes him an undersized DT—something KC might not be interested in with Chris Jones, Mike Danna, and Charles Omenihu factoring into the interior pass rush plans.
Round 2, Pick 64: Kiran Amegadjie, OT, Yale
Kiran Armegadjie has unteachable size and athleticism at the left tackle position. At 6’5″ 323 lbs. with over 36-inch arms, Amegadjie moves well out in space. His raw traits are partly due to his ability to just flat-out dominate at his level of competition. Almost every player he faced he was able to just rely on strength and length. With desired size and athleticism combined with three years at left tackle, he’s an ideal fit for the Chiefs.
Why this player?
Trading up in round 2 can still be costly, but in order to reach some of the other project tackles (Fisher, Paul and Rosengarten), the Chiefs would need to get aggressive. Instead they let the board fall to them and still walk away with a high-level project tackle.
Short of one of the top 3 tackles somehow falling to the Chiefs, there are not many players fixing left tackle in this draft. The Chiefs likely have Donovan Smith on speed dial after the draft. Here they get a high-floor player that can develop at left tackle and allow Wanya Morris to continue to be the swing tackle.
When Donovan Smith gets hurt (which happens often) the Chiefs can then decide if Morris or Amegadjie get the nod at left tackle.
Round 3, Pick 75: Ben Sinnott, TE, Kansas State
In order to get Ben Sinnott the Chiefs use their own third-round pick from 2025 (they still have the Titans pick) combined with pick 95 to get in range.
Sinnott has been building hype since the combine where he had a great showing. There’s even potential for him to be the second tight end taken overall. It’s highly unlikely he will be available with the 95th pick, so the Chiefs get their guy.
Sinnott is a highly athletic, diverse piece for an offense. He’s lined up all over the field including at fullback. He’s a maniac with the ball in his hands and is an above-average blocker as well. He’s not going to be mistaken for Travis Kelce when it comes to route running, but the rest of the tools are there.
Why this player?
The Chiefs have met with several tight ends this draft cycle, and Travis Kelce is clearly in the twilight of his career. The Chiefs need to begin preparing for life after Kelce, and while there is no replacing him, it would be much better if he could help prepare his replacement.
Sinnott gets a year to develop behind two great leaders in the tight end room while also being a major upgrade over Blake Bell. Even if Kelce isn’t retiring in 2024, Noah Gray is set to be a free agent after this season as well. Sinnott helps with 13 personnel, adds another pass catcher to the offense, and helps answer long-term questions at the position
Round 4, Pick 131: Tanor Bortolini, IOL, Wisconsin
Though slightly undersized, Tanor Bortolini brings elite athleticism to the interior offensive line. He has taken meaningful snaps at all five positions along the offensive line in college, including center where he spent most of 2023. He was recruited by Yale and Harvard due to his near-perfect GPA and 30 ACT score. He’s struggled with some injuries over his time in school but his movement skills are elite and the position flexibility is invaluable.
Why this player?
The Chiefs have a need at interior offensive line in 2025, it’s better to address that need now than later. Bortolini can come in and instantly replace Nick Allegretti as the swing interior offensive lineman. The Chiefs can also get a good look at him and his development as they make tough choices on Trey Smith, Creed Humphrey, and Joe Thuney who are all in need of new contracts. He profiles as depth for 2024 and as a starter for 2025.
Round 5, Pick 159: Myles Cole, Edge, Texas Tech
Myles Cole looks like a first-round pick based on body composition at 6’6″, 278 lbs. with a massive wingspan. His frame has never really caught up with his production as a pass rusher though. Despite being a fifth-year senior and turning 24 draft weekend, he’s only accumulated 5 career sacks and 12.5 TFL. What he does do well is defend the run with a relentless motor. Cole is not a passing-down edge but there is certainly use for his size and motor against a run-heavy team
Why this player?
The Chiefs have brought back lots of familiar faces along the defensive line this off-season. Outside of George Karlaftis and Felix Anudike-Uzomah, all of their projected starters are fairly old. The Chiefs need to continue to get younger along the defensive line.
Round 5, Pick 173: Dillon Johnson, RB, Washington
Dillon Johnson isn’t the most explosive athlete at the position but he is one of the toughest. He is one of the few backs in the class who is a plus pass blocker and an experienced pass catcher as well. He seeks out contact to run through tacklers. He excels in zone schemes and has great patience in the backfield, his lateral agility will limit explosives but the floor remains high.
Why this player?
The Chiefs have only one running back who instills confidence heading into the NFL Draft. Isiah Pacheco is a great first option, but he can’t be the only back carrying the load. Johnson has a higher upside than Clyde Edwards-Helaire at this point and it still leaves the door open for projects like Deneric Prince and Louis Rees-Zammit. Johnson profiles as a third-down back who can mix in on running downs as well.
Round 7, Pick 221: Jarius Monroe, CB, Tulane
With 7 interceptions and 51 passes defended, Jarius Monroe’s on-the-ball production has been his biggest asset. At 6’0″ and 200 lbs. with 32-inch arms, Monroe is a big physical corner that is aggressive at the line of scrimmage. He also flashed at the Shrine Bowl.
Monroe’s long speed is fairly average and he can get grabby down field which could lead to penalties at the next level. But Monroe brings lots of things to the table the Chiefs like at defensive back: long, physical, aggressive in run support, and ball production.
Why this player?
Seventh-round players are mostly priority undrafted free agents whom teams don’t want to get into a bidding war for. The Chiefs have invested frequently in the secondary on day 3, Monroe could be another piece of that plan. The Chiefs don’t have a glaring hole at corner because of their investment in players like Nic Jones and Nazeeh Johnson. Monroe can mix into that competition as Joshua Williams and Jaylen Watson factor into the primary starting roles.
