What prospects would make the most sense for Kansas City to target Friday?
On Day 1 of the 2024 NFL Draft, the Kansas City Chiefs did what many expected them to do: select a wide receiver who would improve quarterback Patrick Mahomes’ receiving corps.
To select Xavier Worthy from Texas, the team used a trade package that included trading the third round’s 95th pick for a fourth-round selection, leaving Kansas City just one chance on Friday: the second round’s 64th overall pick.
The team will, of course, continue to monitor the third round. They could even use some of their Day 3 selections — or the 2025 third-rounder they got for cornerback L’Jarius Sneed — to trade back into the round. Kansas City still has positions of need to address, and there are intriguing fits in Rounds 2 and 3.
These prospects carry rankings from Arrowhead Pride’s consensus top 100.
Offensive tackle
- 46. Kingsley Suamataia, BYU
- 74. Roger Rosengarten, Washington
- 75. Kiran Amegadjie, Yale
- 87. Patrick Paul, Houston
These prospects all have collegiate left tackle experience and a physical profile matching Kansas City’s preferences. While the Chiefs might have to move up in Round 2 to get Suamataia, he has the highest ceiling of anybody available.
Best fit: Based on where Kansas City will be picking, it’s more realistic to pick between Amegadjie and Paul. I believe Amegadjie is the better fit, with cleaner pass-protection skills and a higher ceiling. It could be argued that Paul is a more reliable Day 1 starter — but when drafting outside of Round 1, that’s not typically expected.
Guard
- 47. Christian Haynes, UConn
- 66. Cooper Beebe, Kansas State
- 84. Dominick Puni, Kansas
- 96. Christian Mahogany, Boston College
Since a Day 1 starter is no longer the expectation along the offensive line, don’t be surprised if the team prioritizes an interior lineman over a tackle. There are strong guard options in Rounds 2 and 3. Haynes offers athleticism that the Chiefs would love. Beebe and Puni are very solid — and potentially have positional flexibility.
Best fit: All four players could become good, long-time players in Kansas City. But If the Chiefs want to continue bringing in dominant, suffocating interior linemen, the best move is to get Mahogany. He is a traditional, mauling right guard with more athleticism and movement skills than most realize.
Cornerback
- 17. Cooper DeJean, Iowa
- 26. Kool-Aid McKinstry, Alabama
- 39. Ennis Rakestraw Jr., Missouri
- 49. T.J. Tampa, Iowa State
- 55. Kamari Lassiter, Georgia
- 63. Max Melton, Rutgers
- 91. Khyree Jackson, Oregon
It was crazy watching the cornerback class get pushed down on Thursday night. Two first-round prospects — DeJean and McKinstry — are still available in Round 2. It doesn’t look like those two will be in Kansas City’s range — there shouldn’t be a significant trade-up for a cornerback — but the other players all have a strong combination of size and press-coverage skill.
Best fit: There is a lot to like about how Tampa and Lassiter can bully receivers off the line on the outside, but the Chiefs have been able to get that from players in whom they have invested less. At this point in the draft, prospects need to provide something extra. That makes Melton the best fit; he flies around the field and possesses a ballhawk mentality. He is also more likely to be available to Kansas City.
Defensive line
- 20. Johnny Newton, DT, Illinois
- 41. Braden Fiske, DT, Florida State
- 51. Chris Braswell, DE, Alabama
- 54. Kris Jenkins, DT, Michigan
- 57. Ruke Orhorhoro, DT, Clemson
- 61. Marshawn Kneeland, DE, Western Michigan
- 64. Michael Hall Jr., DT, Ohio State
- 77. Brandon Dorlus, DT, Oregon
- 88. Maason Smith, DT, LSU
- 94. DeWayne Carter, DT, Duke
- 98. T’Vondre Sweat, DT, Texas
- 100. Mekhi Wingo, DT, LSU
On Day 2, There is a large group of defensive linemen from which the Chiefs could choose. There’s a long-term need for a defensive tackle who can be effective in concert with superstar defensive tackle Chris Jones. They could be a nose tackle for early downs — like Sweat — or a penetrating type like Hall or Carter.
Best fit: The Chiefs love versatility on the defensive front. Oregon’s Brandon Dorlus can be a handful on the inside, but also has the athleticism and length to hold his own on the edge. He can provide strong depth on early downs and in pass-rush situations; he’s a two-for-one deal in Round 2.
Skill-position player
- 56. Jonathan Brooks, RB, Texas
- 62. Trey Benson, RB, Florida State
- 65. Ja’Tavion Sanders, TE, Texas
- 71. Ben Sinnott, TE, Kansas State
- 73. Javon Baker, WR, Central Florida
- 81. Malik Washington, WR, Virginia
- 82. Tez Walker, WR, North Carolina
- 86. Blake Corum, RB, Michigan
- 89. Jermaine Burton, WR, Alabama
- 92. Jaylen Wright, RB, Tennessee
There’s a chance the Chiefs double up at wideout as early as Round 2, but it’s more likely the team addresses another offensive position at 64. If they fall, the team could trade back into the latter part of Round 3 to get Baker, Walker or Burton. There are intriguing running backs, too — but that group extends into Day 3.
Best fit: Kansas City could boost the tight end room with Sinnott, who had incredible testing results at the NFL Scouting Combine. That shows up in his route running and as a ball carrier. He has the upside to be a legitimate receiving weapon — and the Chiefs’ offensive creativity could help that come to fruition.