Kansas City Chiefs Mock Draft 3.0: How early will KC take an offensive tackle?
The NFL Draft is rapidly approaching — set for April 24-26 in Green Bay, Wisconsin — so let’s continue our predictions in The Star’s third of four mock drafts.
In case you missed them, we released Mock Drafts 1.0 and 2.0 in previous weeks.
A bit of history to remember as well: Last year, in our Mock 3.0, we correctly predicted receiver Xavier Worthy would go to the Chiefs in the first round.
Will The Star’s crystal ball remain clear for this year’s Mock 3.0? Here’s our latest look at how things might play out.
Round 1 (31st overall), DT Derrick Harmon, Oregon
Sometimes, a player checks too many boxes to ignore. And Derrick Harmon from Oregon certainly qualifies when potentially projecting him to the Chiefs in Round 1.
KC needs defensive linemen, and this is an especially deep draft at D-tackle, meaning Harmon could fall to the late first round in 2025 when he might not in other years.
Harmon reportedly met with the Chiefs at the NFL Combine. His recent stock also has slipped just a bit according to Grinding The Mocks, which should put him squarely in play for KC at 31.
The 6-foot-5, 310-pound Harmon is only 21 years old, which fits Chiefs general manager Brett Veach’s preference for younger players. Harmon also told NBC Sports at the combine that Chiefs defensive tackle Chris Jones is one of the players he’d most like to emulate in the pros.
Seems like he’d be a great fit next to Jones if he makes it to 31.
• Mock 1.0 selection: Edge Nic Scourton, Texas A&M
• Mock 2.0 selection: DT Walter Nolen, Ole Miss
Round 2 (63rd overall), Edge rusher Princely Umanmielen, Ole Miss
Don’t be shocked if the Chiefs double up on the defensive line to start their draft, as Umanmielen definitely fits defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo’s preferences on the edge.
Umanmielen has excellent size at 6-foot-4, 255 pounds, and he also draws high marks for his burst off the ball and ability to bend.
KC could use long-term help at this position, and if Umanmielen drops to the end of round 2, expect the Chiefs to be interested.
• Mock 1.0 selection: OT Aireontae Ersery, Minnesota
• Mock 2.0 selection: Edge Jack Sawyer, Ohio State
Round 3 (66th overall), CB Darien Porter, Iowa State
Another position where Spagnuolo loves to have height? That would be cornerback, where 6-foot-4 Darien Porter could be an intriguing prospect for a Chiefs team with a history of developing corners.
Porter is a receiver-turned-DB who only started one year at that position for Iowa State. He should be able to contribute on special teams right away, though, and with more development, could turn into an elite corner thanks to his long arms and elite speed.
Chiefs players like Jaylen Watson and Joshua Williams are on the last year of their rookie contracts, which means it’s the perfect time for KC to look a year ahead for possible secondary solutions in 2026 and beyond.
• Mock 1.0 selection: DL Shemar Turner, Texas A&M
• Mock 2.0 selection: OT Anthony Belton, North Carolina State
Round 3 (95th overall), OT Ozzy Trapilo, Boston College
Maybe this is later than the Chiefs would prefer to take an offensive tackle prospect, but Veach signing Jaylon Moore in free agency makes it so KC doesn’t have to reach for a tackle early in a draft class that lacks high-end talent.
At this point, Trapilo seems like a good upside play with a few paths toward helping the Chiefs.
The son of an NFL offensive lineman, Trapilo has good size at 6-7 and 310 pounds and can play left or right tackle. Either could be a need for the Chiefs in 2026, when they likely will move on from right tackle Jawaan Taylor and his expensive contract.
• Mock 1.0 selection: WR Tex Johnson, Oregon
• Mock 2.0 selection: WR Jalen Royals, Utah State
Round 4 (133rd overall) RB Damien Martinez, Miami (FL)
I explained in Mock 1.0 why Temple’s Bhayshul Tuten seems like the Chiefs’ “type” at running back.
But let’s say he is taken by this point. It still seems like the right spot for KC to address its backfield, so let’s pivot to Miami’s Damien Martinez, who reportedly took a top-30 visit to KC.
Martinez, who is 6 feet and 230 pounds with a track background, excelled at both “missed tackles forced” and “yards after contact,” according to Pro Football Focus’ metrics.
KC could use more speed in its backfield, and Martinez seems like someone who could slip to the fourth round in a deep RB class.
• Mock 1.0 selection: RB Bhayshul Tuten, Virginia Tech
• Mock 2.0 selection: RB Devin Neal, Kansas
Round 7 (226th overall): LB Shemar James, Florida
At worst, Shemar James is an athletic guy who would likely be a Dave Toub favorite on the Chiefs’ special teams units.
Beyond that, though, KC could use another prospect type at linebacker, where James would add speed and could develop into a rotational player if he improves his awareness and play-reading ability.
James formally met with the Chiefs at the combine, and while NFL Draft projections for him are all over the place, it shouldn’t be a surprise if KC is his final landing spot.
• Mock 1.0 selection: OT Gerad Christian-Lichtenhan, Oregon State
• Mock 2.0 selection: CB Jason Marshall Jr., Florida
Round 7 (251st overall): TE Jalin Conyers, Texas Tech
We have some evidence from past years that Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes has at least a bit of say regarding the team’s draft selections.
If that continues, this could be a dart throw that makes logical sense.
Mahomes certainly would be familiar with Conyers from his career at Texas Tech, and though the tight end has faced focus and conditioning issues in his past ... wouldn’t Mahomes be the best candidate to help him get past any bad habits?
Conyers is a good athlete and would be an upside play this late. KC’s tight end depth chart also could use another body, given Travis Kelce’s uncertain future status.
• Mock 1.0 selection: CB Melvin Smith Jr., Southern Arkansas
• Mock 2.0 selection: G Joshua Gray, Oregon State
Round 7 (257th overall): WR Chimere Dike, Florida
I’m sure the Chiefs would be bummed if they didn’t get a receiver until their last pick. But I also know this about Veach: He seems to have a preference at wideout, opting for short, speedy guys over their long and lanky counterparts.
Florida’s Chimere Dike probably won’t make it this far ... but he might. At 6-1, he posted top-5 combine times for the 10-yard split and 40-yard dash, making him the type of quick-in-space wideout the Chiefs love to utilize.
It would take a bit of a fall for Pro Football Focus’ 224th-ranked player to become Mr. Irrelevant, but KC would be a good landing spot for him if he made it this far.
• Mock 1.0 selection: OG Bryce Cabeldue, Kansas
• Mock 2.0 selection: LB Nick Martin, Oklahoma State
This story was originally published April 13, 2025 at 6:00 AM.
