The NFL Draft is just a few days away, which means we have time for one more Chiefs mock draft before the team is officially on the clock. Despite being Super Bowl champions, Kansas City still has some holes they need to address at key positions.
Note that this exercise was performed using the Pro Football Network Mock Draft Simulator. If the player was on the board when the Chiefs were on the clock, they were fair game. Also note that this Chiefs mock draft does not include trades.
Seven-Round Kansas City Chiefs Mock Draft
First Round (31st Overall): Will McDonald, EDGE
This Kansas City Chiefs mock draft kicks off with the defense. The reigning Super Bowl champions lost Frank Clark in the offseason, and they’ll need to find a way to replace that pass-rushing presence off the edge. Will McDonald should be able to get after the quarterback from Day 1, and his relative shortcomings against the run won’t be a big deal, as opposing offenses will always be throwing the ball to try and keep up with the Chiefs high-flying offense.
Will McDonald NFL Draft Profile
Second Round (63rd Overall): Marvin Mims, WR
The Chiefs lost wide receivers Juju Smith-Schuster and Mecole Hardman in free agency, so it only makes sense that they add a wide receiver early in this mock draft. In many ways, Marvin Mims is a perfect 1:1 replacement for Hardman, as the Oklahoma product overcomes his smaller build thanks to his elite deep speed. However, unlike Hardman, Mims has a longer history of production and could turn into a more complete receiver at the next level.
WR Marvin Mims (5’11” 183 lbs) is a plus-route runner with top-tier speed who has the ability to play both inside and out at the next level.
A potential #Patriots fit to watch out for on day two next Friday. pic.twitter.com/HQOKUWYnRp
— Mike Kadlick (@mikekadlick) April 21, 2023
Third Round (95th Overall): Zach Evans, RB
The most proven running back on the Kansas City Chiefs depth chart is currently former seventh-round pick Isiah Pacheco. That’s not a good thing. Zach Evans might not be a superstar in the making, but he will bring the physical style of running that Kansas City hoped to get out of Ronald Jones last year.
Fourth Round (122nd Overall): Zack Kuntz, TE
The Kansas City Chiefs are going to need to think about finding a Travis Kelce replacement sooner or later. The future Hall of Famer can’t possibly go on too much longer, so the Chiefs might as well add a development tight end in this mock draft. Zack Kuntz is an athletic freak, testing well in just about everything. His ceiling is through the roof, he just needs to learn how to play the position. Perhaps a year or two behind Kelce will allow him to hone his skills and eventually take over when age catches up to the four-time All-Pro.
Fourth Round (134th Overall): Tre’Vius Hodges-Tomlinson, CB
Tre’Vius Hodges-Tomlinson is smaller than your typical cornerback, and that’s the only reason a player like him is still available at this point in the Chiefs mock draft. The 5′-8″, 178-pound cornerback makes up for his lack of height with insane athleticism and a stout physicality that leads to a lot of contested passes and jams at the line of scrimmage. While his size might limit him to slot work in the NFL, he should see the field on a regular basis with all the three-receiver formations around the league.
Tre’Vius Hodges-Tomlinson NFL Draft Profile
Tre'Vius Hodges-Tomlinson gotta be making his uncle @LT_21 proud with this 4.42u. @TCUFootball
📺: #NFLCombine on @nflnetwork
📱: Stream on NFL+ pic.twitter.com/sGDcKwVP3u— NFL (@NFL) March 3, 2023
Fifth Round (166th Overall): Michael Wilson, WR
The Chiefs already added a wide receiver in this mock, but at this point in the draft, you just need to worry about adding the best players possible. In this case, that player is Stanford wide receiver Michael Wilson. While five straight injury-riddled seasons will hurt his draft stock, Wilson is an effective player when on the field that can hopefully add a more physical presence to the wide receiver room.
Michael Wilson NFL Draft Profile
Sixth Round (178th Overall): Jaxon Player, DT
Jaxon Player is on the shorter side, but he has the weight to play in the NFL. Additionally, based on raw talent alone, you can see flashes of play that should translate to the NFL. He’s fast off the snap and never slows down until he hits the whistle. If he can hone his fundamentals, he could become a solid rotational lineman.
Sixth Round (217th Overall): Aidan O’Connell, QB
The Chiefs need to find a long-term backup following the retirement of Chad Henne. Blaine Gabbert might be in town, but that isn’t exactly an encouraging thought. Aidan O’Connell might not be a superstar in the making, but he can read a defense and throws with good anticipation. He’ll probably spend 2023 as the third quarterback on the depth chart before pushing for the backup job in 2024.
Aidan O’Connell NFL Draft Profile
Seventh Round (249th Overall): Jose Ramirez, EDGE
Jose Ramirez is a one-dimensional player that can get after the quarterback and not much else. He should never see the field on running downs, but that shouldn’t be too much of an issue in Kansas City, as opposing offenses will be throwing the ball to try and keep up with the Chiefs.
Seventh Round (250th Overall): DeWayne McBride, RB
This final pick in the Chiefs mock draft is another case of taking the best player available and worrying about fit later. DeWayne McBride isn’t going to battle Zach Evans on the depth chart, but he’s another power back that should be able to take advantage of the light boxes provided to him by the constant threat of Patrick Mahomes’ arm.
DeWayne McBride NFL Draft Profile
Main Photo: Nirmalendu Majumdar – USA Today Sports
