The Kansas City Chiefs saw their quest for a Super Bowl three-peat ended at the hands of the high-flying Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LIX.
In the loss, there were glaring needs for the Chiefs which they will look to build upon in the offseason to get back to the Super Bowl. With Patrick Mahomes at quarterback and Andy Reid as head coach, the Chiefs will always be a threat. But how will they address the offensive line? Can they get more athletic and deeper on defense? Can they find the next Travis Kelce will be all questions answered in the upcoming 2025 NFL Draft.
Kansas City Chiefs 2024 NFL season
2024 NFL season record: 15-2 2n 1st in the AFC West
Team offense: Rank 19th (322.0 yards per game)
Team defense: Rank 10th (328.2 yards per game)
Playoffs: Lost to Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LIX
2025 NFL Draft position: No. 31
Top positional needs: OL, DL, Edge, S, WR
2025 NFL Draft outlook
The Chiefs will be looking for offensive line help along with reinforcements on defense in the 2025 NFL Draft. Offensive line prospect they should consider at No. 31 or on Day 2 of the draft are Alabama’s Tyler Booker, Georgia’s Tate Ratledge or LSU’s Miles Frazier.
As far as defensive talent, the options are much deeper. Defensive line prospects like Oregon’s Derrick Harmon could be intriguing for the Chiefs as well as Toledo’s Darius Alexander, South Carolina’s T.J. Sanders and Ohio State’s Tyeik Williams. On the edge, the Chiefs could have their choice between Texas A&M’s Shemar Stewart, or Nic Scourton or a rising prospect like Arkansas edge Landon Jackson. Obviously, there’s a chance the Chiefs go in another direction in the first 3 rounds depending on how the board falls.
Here is a look at what General Manager Brett Veach and the Chiefs will do in this three-round NFL Mock Draft.
Last year it was Xavier Worthy, this year it’s tight end Colston Loveland who falls in the lap of Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs. As the successor to Travis Kelce, the Michigan star not only gets to play alongside one of the great tight ends, he also gets to catch the ball from a top quarterback in the NFL. Loveland didn’t have that luxury during his final season at Michigan, but with his skillset, the talented tight end couldn’t land in a better spot. Loveland is coming off a final season at Michigan in which he hauled in 56 receptions for 582 yards and 5 touchdowns.
The Chiefs get some defensive line help with the selection of Shamar Turner with the No. 63 overall pick in the draft. At 6-foot-4, 300 pounds, Turner is a force along the defensive line who could excel with the Chiefs with Chris Jones as his mentor. With his speed and power, Turner adds athleticism to the defensive line and does have the ability to get to the quarterback. He will have to work on his consistency as a run stopper, but defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo will find a way to put him in the right spot and utilize his versatility.
With the first of their two third round picks, the Chiefs get help at tackle in the name of Boston College product Ozzy Trapilo. With experience playing at both left and right tackle, the 6-foot-8, 316-pound Massachusetts native has a massive frame which helps him anchor down against edge rush defenders. With his strength and patience as a tackle, Trapilo could grow into a solid starter in the league. He may not be the answer right away for the Chiefs, but he adds depth and natural ability at the position.
The Chiefs go back-to-back offensive lineman with the selection of Georgia’s Tate Ratledge. After trading away Joe Thuney, Kansas City made it clear they are revamping the offensive line and what better way than adding one of the top prospects at guard. Ratledge has a “dirt-dog mentality” and toughness to his game that will make him a starter in the NFL sooner rather than later.