Despite being the returning Super Bowl Champions, the Kansas City Chiefs have some team needs they need to address in the 2024 NFL Draft. Sorting through the roster, here are their top team needs, ranked.
Kansas City Chiefs Team Needs in 2024 NFL Draft
3. Offensive Tackle
It’s no surprise, they need to defend Patrick Mahomes a little bit better. Mahomes can make magic happen, but Wanya Morris shouldn’t be the team’s primary option in 2024. If they don’t address Tackle in the draft, it could be a long season of running around for the offense.
Best fits for the team would be a pass blocker to protect the blindside. While it’s unlikely they are there at the back of the first, Olu Fashanu and Amarius Mims are two sides of a unique coin. Fashanu is already a polished blocker with amazing footwork but has hands the size of Kenny Pickett. Meanwhile, Amarius Mims has all of the physical tools to make an offensive line coach drool. Unfortunately, he’s limited in his polish and repetitions due to a lack of playtime in college.
Best Target: Kingsley Suamataia Late First
2. Cornerback
Rather than pay L’Jarius Sneed, the Chiefs elected to trade him to the Tennessee Titans. Their defense was the strength of the team in 2023, and it’s fairly unlikely they find another gem like Sneed late in the draft. The Chiefs have to prioritize corner early in the draft or find unique ways to scheme their corners into less critical roles.
There’s a lot of top end talent, but unfortunately, they will likely all be gone by the time 32 rolls around. Trading up for Quinyon Mitchell or Terrion Arnold doesn’t seem to be in Brett Veach’s DNA. If they did make a move, any of Mitchell, Arnold or Dejean would be a huge addition.
Best Target: Max Melton Late Second
1. Wide Receiver
This team has been a case study in how bad of a supporting cast can you put around an elite quarterback and still succeed. Rashee Rice was the leading wide receiver in Kansas City in 2023, and there’s a real chance he misses time with a suspension to start the year. Two years ago their leading wide receiver was JuJu Smith-Schuster. Mahomes has been throwing to Travis Kelce and the land of misfit toys, and it’s time to get him some real help.
Luckily for the Chiefs, the 2024 draft covers this need in one of the deepest ways possible. There are 10 to 15 players that could make an immediate splash on a team, and there’s all sorts of shapes and sizes. Whether they prefer the speedy and small Xavier Worthy, the Mack Truck pretending to be a receiver in Xavier Legette, or a giraffe with lacrosse sticks for hands in Johnny Wilson, there’s plenty of options.
Best Target: Javon Baker Late Second or Mid-Third
Last Word on Kansas City Chiefs Team Needs
The Chiefs are already a dynasty. But to keep the win streak going, they need to address their team needs in the draft. Those needs are receiver, corner and tackle, but they need to add more than a replacement level player there. Mahomes can only lift the level of the offense so far, and if they grab these players, he can keep crushing the AFC.
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