The season did not end as the Kansas City Chiefs hoped but they are clearly still among the top Super Bowl contenders going forward. Patrick Mahomes is still the best quarterback in the league, the Chiefs still have elite offensive weapons and Andy Reid still knows how to make it all work. That being said, there are some obvious holes on this roster that simply must be addressed this offseason.
In this 2021 NFL mock draft, the Kansas City Chiefs look to address their largest needs and continue to stack up talent to help them compete going forward. Find out how they can improve this offseason in this complete seven-round 2021 NFL mock draft.
Note: This NFL mock draft was completed using The Draft Network’s Mock Draft Machine.
Round 1, 31st overall
The Kansas City Chiefs dealt with major offensive line injuries throughout the 2020 season and it all came to a head in the Super Bowl. Kansas City simply did not have enough offensive line depth to protect Mahomes on Super Bowl Sunday, but to be fair, I don’t know if any team could have dealt with that many injuries successfully. Regardless, the Chiefs simply must address their offensive line depth this offseason.
In the first round of this 2021 NFL mock draft, the Kansas City Chiefs select Alijah Vera-Tucker, a talented offensive line prospect out of USC. Vera-Tucker shined at left guard early in his college career but made a successful transition to left tackle this past season. The USC product played well at left tackle last season and could certainly have a future at the position at the next level.
Vera-Tucker is an extremely athletic offensive lineman who moves his feet well and strikes hard at the point of attack. He displays a powerful and accurate initial strike in both pass protection and as a run blocker and does a nice job of keeping his hands inside at all times.
If he is available for Kansas City at No. 31, Vera-Tucker feels like a no-brainer for this team. With the status of Eric Fisher and Mitchell Schwartz unknown for the start of next season, having Vera-Tucker around as a possible offensive tackle option at the start of the season would be ideal, even if he eventually kicks inside to guard.
Round 2, 63rd overall
Both Sammy Watkins and Demarcus Robinson will hit free agency this offseason, leaving major holes at the wide receiver position. Expect Kansas City to add some sort of veteran option at the position in free agency, but they could easily also make wide receiver a priority in the draft.
The 2021 NFL Draft class is absolutely loaded at the wide receiver position and this could cause some serious pass-catching talent to slip a bit down the board. In this NFL mock draft scenario, Amon-Ra St. Brown lands in Kansas City here at the end of the second round.
St. Brown is a quick and explosive wide receiver who creates separation at all levels of the field. He is also an extremely tough player who shines in the middle of the field and creates well after the catch. In St. Brown, the Chiefs find a reliable middle-of-the-field target who moves the chains well and can make big plays on the outside and in the slot.
Round 3, 94th overall
Edge rusher is another position that stands out as a major potential need for the Kansas City Chiefs in the 2021 NFL Draft. In the third round of this NFL mock draft, the Chiefs snag Patrick Jones II to help with this potential need on the EDGE.
Jones is quick off of the ball and explosive around the edge. He shows a wide array of pass rush moves and a strong combination of power and speed that gives him exciting upside at the next level. Jones is flexible around the corner and closes on the quarterback quickly. He is also an extremely high motor player who sets the edge well and is an impact player against the run.
Simply put, Jones is a rock-solid player who certainly has the talent to grow into a quality starting defensive end at the next level. The Chiefs find themselves a good one here in the third round.
Round 4, 136th overall
The Chiefs found major cornerback value when they took L’Jarius Sneed in the fourth round of last year’s draft. Here, they look to do something similar with the selection of Ambry Thomas out of Michigan.
Thomas is a tough and physical cornerback who shines in press coverage at the line of scrimmage. He does a great job of immediately disrupting the routes of opposing receivers and has the quickness to keep up throughout the route. Thomas also displays strong overall ball skills and has the ability to play both man and zone coverage.
Make no mistake about it, Ambry Thomas is a talented football player who could come in and make an immediate impact for the Kansas City Chiefs at an important position of need. Snagging him in the fourth round of this 2021 NFL mock draft feels like an ideal scenario for the team.
Round 4, 144th overall
While the Chiefs already addressed their edge rusher situation earlier in this NFL mock draft, they could still use some depth at the position and Chauncey Golston stands out as a nice value in this range. Golston is a long and physical player who always plays with a hot motor and provides value as a pass rusher and a run defender.
He is not the most explosive player on the edge, but he is a solid and dependable defensive lineman who will be an immediate impact player at the next level. Golston would make sense for the Kansas City Chiefs as an early-down defensive end who could kick inside and rush the passer from the interior on obvious passing downs.
Round 5, 176th overall
The Kansas City Chiefs need to find a way to add quality depth across their offensive line this offseason. The addition of Vera-Tucker in the first round of this 2021 NFL mock draft certainly helps, but they need to keep looking for value. Here, they make an interesting addition at the center position by bringing Drake Jackson into the mix.
Jackson is a center-only offensive line prospect who shows quick feet and great on-field awareness. His lack of bulk up front is apparent, but Jackson moves well in space, is an impact second-level blocker and does a nice job of maintaining proper pad level. In Jackson, the Kansas City Chiefs find a possible starting center with this late-round pick.
Round 5, 180th overall
Josh Imatorbhebhe is a big, physical and explosive wide receiver prospect who has a chance to grow into a real impact player at the next level. He is a dangerous deep threat who attacks the ball in the air incredibly well and also shows some run-after-catch upside.
Imatorbhebhe is a bit of a raw player who is unlikely to make a massive immediate impact, but his long-term upside is absolutely massive. Sticking him in Andy Reid’s offense catching passes from Patrick Mahomes would undoubtedly be a great situation for this high ceiling wide receiver prospect.
Round 7, 252nd overall
With their final pick of this 2021 NFL mock draft, the Kansas City Chiefs make another solid depth addition to their offensive line mix. Royce Newman moves well for an offensive lineman and is a tough and physical player who is always working hard.
Newman played both tackle and guard in college and his game translates well to either position at the next level. He is a solid player whose position versatility would help him become a much-needed quality depth player for the Chiefs.