Chiefs mock draft 2.0: How much emphasis on defensive line for KC in NFL Draft?
As is the case in most years since Andy Reid’s first season, the Chiefs will take a wait-and-see approach in the first round of the NFL Draft on April 24.
That is, unless they trade up, they’ll wait a few hours and see what’s available toward the end of the evening.
The Chiefs’ war room will watch as players they targeted get selected ahead of them. Back of the line draft position is the price they’ve gladly paid for playing in five of the last six Super Bowls.
So the trick in projecting the early selections of a seven-round draft isn’t just identifying need but availability. Will their top choice be there to grab a ball cap and greeting from NFL commissioner Roger Goodell at No. 31?
Analysts call this a draft strong at edge defender, running back and interior defensive line. Look for the Chiefs to draft all three positions among their eight selections.
My Chiefs beat writing partner Jesse Newell selected Texas A&M edge rusher Nic Scourton with the first-round pick in The Star’s first mock draft last week. Let’s stay in the SEC and on the defensive line but move inside for this mock draft’s first pick.
Round 1 (31st overall), DT Walter Nolen, Ole Miss
Nolen, a superb playmaker, likens himself to Aaron Donald. After spending his first two seasons at Texas A&M, Nolen delivered a breakout third year at Ole Miss, where he was named an All-American and a finalist for the Outland Trophy after a 14 tackle-for-loss season.
Will he be available this late in the first round? Nolen has been projected in the middle of the first round to early in the second. This pick might require a trade-up.
If the Chiefs’ draft priorities by position were part of a pie graph, defensive line would have the largest slice.
Mock 1.0 selection: Edge Nic Scourton, Texas A&M
Round 2 (63rd overall), Edge Jack Sawyer, Ohio State
The Chiefs can take advantage of the draft’s defensive line depth by double-dipping on their first two selections. In a draft heavy with edge rushers, there should be value in the second round with a prospect like Sawyer who fits the mold at 6-4, 260 pounds.
Sawyer was a beast in the Buckeyes’ run to the national championship with 4 1/2 sacks in four playoff games. His strip sack and 83-yard return for a touchdown clinched the semifinal victory over Texas in the Cotton Bowl.
Mock 1.0 selection: OT Aireontae Ersery, Minnesota
Round 3 (66th overall), OT Anthony Belton, North Carolina State
The Chiefs likely will add to their cast of offensive tackles in the draft. Belton, a three-year starter for the Wolfpack, stands a massive 6-6, 336 pounds.
One scouting service projects Belton to become “a quality starter by the end of his rookie contract.” If that’s the case, Belton could develop behind free agent signee Jaylon Moore.
Mock 1.0 selection: DL Shemar Turner, Texas A&M
Round 3 (95th overall), WR Jalen Royals, Utah State
The Chiefs have selected a wide receiver in each of their last four drafts and in all but one since 2015. Royals played in only seven games last season because of a foot injury but was first-team All-Mountain West in 2023 in his first year as a starter. Chiefs wide receivers line up in several positions, and Royals did that in college.
Mock 1.0 selection: WR Tex Johnson, Oregon
Round 4 (133rd overall) RB Devin Neal, Kansas
After selecting Clyde Edwards-Helaire with their first-round pick in 2020, the Chiefs have drafted only one running back: Isiah Pacheco in the 2022 seventh round. It’s time for some fresh legs, and this is a good draft to find them.
Kansas’ all-time leader in career rushing yards and touchdowns, Neal could develop into a three-down back with his pass catching and blocking abilities. The Lawrence High product has NFL size (5-11, 215 pounds) and runs with power.
Plus he knows the landscape after the Jayhawks played four games last season at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium, where Neal had a 207-yard rushing effort against Colorado.
Mock 1.0 selection: RB Bhayshul Tuten, Virginia Tech
Round 7 (226th overall): CB Jason Marshall Jr., Florida
The Chiefs will be busy in the seventh round with three picks. They’ve been productive in final round in the Brett Veach era. Pacheco and cornerback Jaylen Watson were seventh-round picks in 2022, and guard Nick Allegretti, who started the Super Bowl LVIII victory, was a seventh-rounder in 2019.
Now the Chiefs start looking for depth. Marshall, an outside corner, has good size at 6 feet, 194 pounds. He started for four years but missed the second half of last season with a shoulder injury.
Mock 1.0 selection: OT Gerad Christian-Lichtenhan, Oregon State
Round 7 (251st overall): G Joshua Gray, Oregon State
Gray played left tackle for most of his college career before switching to left guard. He set a school record with career 56 starts. He allowed one sack and 12 pressures, the fewest in his career, last season. Gray’s 5.04 40-time at the NFL Combine was ninth among 29 guards.
The Chiefs went offensive line in the seventh round last year and took C.J. Hanson. Look for them to shop in the offensive line aisle late in the draft once again.
Mock 1.0 selection: CB Melvin Smith Jr., Southern Arkansas
Round 7 (257th overall). LB Nick Martin, Oklahoma State
Special teams talent tends to come from the pool of players taken late in the draft and the Chiefs will have a need here. Martin had a terrific 2023, ranking seventh in FBS with 140 tackles and earning first-team All-Big 12. But he missed seven games last season with a knee injury.
Mock 1.0 selection: OG Bryce Cabeldue, Kansas
This story was originally published April 6, 2025 at 8:00 AM.