Kansas City has the last pick, courtesy of being the Super Bowl champions. Patrick Mahomes has been the top quarterback the last two years and will be only 25 in September. AS long as he stays healthy, he gives them a chance to win.
The Chiefs have five picks in the draft: one each in the first, second, third, fourth, and fifth rounds. They have no picks in the sixth and seventh rounds.
I list the needs below, including major, for depth, and areas they are unlikely to look at. I may add categories for a particular situation.
Major Needs (No Particular Order):
Running Back: They have not had the home run threat since Kareem Hunt two years ago. Damien Williams had some production and the unsigned LaSean McCoy was less than expected. Darrel Williams and Darwin Thompson are backups, along with Deandre Washington, a free agent signing from the Raiders. Anthony Sherman is the fullback and key special teams player. Both Williams’ are on expiring contracts and they make a pick on the right back.
Tight End: Travis Kelce is in the conversation for best tight end. In reserve are Deon Yelder and Ricky Seals-Jones, a free agent signing. They will look for another tight end, especially a blocking one.
Offensive Line: The line starts with one of the best right tackles, Mitchell Schwartz. Opposite him on the left side is Eric Fisher. The guards are Andrew Wylie and Marc Duvernay-Tardif, while Austin Reiter is the center. Nick Allegretti fills in at center or guard, while Ryan Hunter is a backup guard. Martinas Rankin backs up the tackles, but he was injured late in the season. Mike Remmers was signed from the Giants as a backup tackle. Stefen Wisniewski left in free agency and Cameron Irving is unsigned. Rieter and Wylie are on the last years of their contracts and there is a need for another interior lineman.
Linebacker: This is the weakest level of the defense. Anthony Hitchens and Damien Wilson are the starters. Ben Niemann did a nice job filling in and there is hope for Dorian O’Daniel. Darron Lee is unsigned and Reggie Ragland left for Detroit. A more athletic linebacker will be needed and especially since Wilson can be a free agent next year.
Cornerback: The three starting cornerbacks are Charvarius Ward, Brashaud Breeland, and Rashad Fenton – who plays the nickel. In reserve are Alex Brown and free agent signee Antonio Hamilton from the Giants. Morris Claiborne and Keith Reaser are unsigned, while Kendall Fuller signed with Washington. While the starting trio is passable, Breeland is on an expiring contract and there is a need for another.
Depth:
Quarterback: Two words: Patrick Mahomes. In reserve are Chad Henne, Kyle Shurmur, and XFL signing Jordan Ta’amu. Matt Moore is unsigned. The Chiefs could pick here, but they have two young ones in Shurmur and Ta’amu.
Wide Receiver: This is a good unit with Tyreek Hill and Sammy Watkins leading the way, with Mecole Hardman and Demarcus Robinson coming in during three and four-man sets. The top reserves are Byron Pringle and Gehrig Dieter. Watkins and Robinson can be free agents and a picking a receiver can prepare them for that.
Defensive Line: The Chiefs pass rush is spearheaded by Frank Clark. On the opposite side is Alex Okafor, with the reserves being Tanoh Kapassagnon, Breeland Speaks, and Demone Harris. The Chiefs look deep in the middle with Chris Jones and Derrick Nnadi as the starters. Backing them up are Khalen Saunders and Mike Pennel. Unsigned linemen are Terrell Suggs and Xavier Williams. Jones has been franchised and being traded is a possibility. Another on an expiring contract is Kpassagnon.
Safety: The Chiefs have good starters: Tyrann Mathieu was first team All-Pro and Juan Thornhill was a second-round find last year. It’s what is behind them that is concerning. The roster has Dan Sorenson, Armani Watts, and Chris Lammons as the backups. I expect them to choose for depth. Sorenson could be a free agent after the year and depth can be addressed.