K.C. picks star prospects from Mizzou, K.U. in Chiefs Wire's final 7-round mock draft
Kansas City has several needs to address in the draft, and will need to leverage every asset it has to get back to the Super Bowl next season.
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With a total of eight selections to make during the three-day event, Chiefs general manager Brett Veach is uniquely positioned to set Kansas City up for future success.
Check out this full seven-round Chiefs mock draft that predicts Veach will address Kansas City's receiving corps in Round 1 before turning his attention to Steve Spagnuolo's defense on Day 2:
Round 1, Pick 31: Missouri Tigers WR Luther Burden III
Sep 16, 2023; Columbia, Missouri, USA; Missouri Tigers wide receiver Luther Burden III (3) runs with the ball against Kansas State Wildcats cornerback Will Lee III (8) during the first half at Faurot Field at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports
There was a time when it would have been implausible for Burden to drop all the way to the end of the first round, but the former Mizzou star has seen his draft stock sink slowly over the last few months.
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Now, it seems that Burden is destined to come off the board right around the time Kansas City is set to make its first pick (or even a little later!), and the Chiefs could get their chance to add another blue-chip receiver in their bid to win the AFC West arms race.
Round 2, Pick 63: Toledo Rockets DT Darius Alexander
DETROIT, MICHIGAN - DECEMBER 26: Darius Alexander #9 of the Toledo Rockets leaps to avoid Julian Dugger #12 of the Pittsburgh Panthers while turning an interception for a touchdown in the fourth quarter of the GameAbove Sports Bowl game at Ford Field on December 26, 2024 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by)
The Chiefs' selections at No. 63 and No. 66 will make or break this draft for Kansas City's front office.
By selecting Alexander here at the end of Round 2, Veach shores up the Chiefs' front-four and gives Chris Jones a rookie running-mate to mentor next season while Kansas City's defense reinvents itself.
Round 3, Pick 66: Purdue Boilermakers OT Marcus Mbow
Purdue Boilermakers offensive lineman Marcus Mbow (63) high-fives a fan Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024, during the NCAA football game between the Purdue Boilermakers and the Penn State Nittany Lions at Ross-Ade Stadium in West Lafayette, Ind.
Mbow joins the Chiefs as a developmental tackle who may be able to contribute as a rookie if injuries affect Kansas City's depth next season.
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If the Chiefs don't pick a tackle with one of their first or second-round picks, expect Veach to target a player like Mbow with the early third-round selection to ensure that Kansas City doesn't miss its chance to add a talented lineman.
Round 3, Pick 95: Oklahoma Sooners DB Billy Bowman
Oklahoma Sooners defensive back Billy Bowman Jr. (2) celebrates an interception in the first half of the Red River Rivalry college football game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners and the Texas Longhorn at the Cotton Bowl Stadium in Dallas, Texas, Saturday, Oct., 12, 2024.
The loss of veteran safety Justin Reid in free agency was a huge blow to Kansas City's defense, and while the Chiefs already have a stash of talented defensive backs under contract, the team could stand to add another here in Round 3.
Bowman is a certified ball-hawk and a willing tackler who could ease into life in the NFL with one of the most exciting defensive backfields in the league.
Round 4, Pick 133: Kansas Jayhawks RB Devin Neal
Nov 23, 2024; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas running back Devin Neal (4) maneuvers past a diving during the Colorado defensive tackle Chidozie Nwankwo (97) in the 4th quarter between the Kansas Jayhawks and the Colorado Buffaloes at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nick Tre. Smith-Imagn Images
This class is full of talented Jayhawks, and it would be malpractice for Veach to pass up on his chance to add a local talent to the Chiefs' offense.
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A native of Lawrence, Kansas, Neal is an explosive running back prospect who could become a valuable asset for Kansas City when Isiah Pacheco's contract ends after the 2025 season.
Round 7, Pick 226: Oregon Ducks LB Jeffrey Bassa
Jan 1, 2024; Glendale, AZ, USA; Oregon Ducks linebacker Jeffrey Bassa (2) against the Liberty Flames during the 2024 Fiesta Bowl at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Seventh-round picks are a shot in the dark, and if Bassa falls this far, there would be no downside for the Chiefs in selecting him. Kansas City doesn't necessarily need to come away from this draft with a linebacker, but depth is the name of the game in the NFL, and Bassa could have an outside shot to make the Chiefs' 53-man roster as a rookie.
Round 7, Pick 251: Texas Longhorns EDGE Barryn Sorrell
Jan 1, 2025; Atlanta, GA, USA; Arizona State Sun Devils quarterback Sam Leavitt (10) looks to pass the ball against Texas Longhorns linebacker Barryn Sorrell (88) during the first half of the Peach Bowl at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images
Sorrell would be an ideal pick this late in Round 7, but it seems unlikely that he will fall this far.
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Nonetheless, he projects as a late Day 3 pick, and if Kansas City has the chance to pick him up here, his selection would be a no-brainer.
Round 7, Pick 257: BYU Cougars OT Caleb Etienne
Sep 4, 2021; Stillwater, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma State Cowboys offensive lineman Caleb Etienne (76) blocks during the second quarter of the game agains the Missouri State Bears at Boone Pickens Stadium. Oklahoma State Cowboys beat Missouri State Bears 23-16. Mandatory Credit: Brett Rojo-USA TODAY Sports
Andy Reid won't let Veach get out of this event without taking a flyer on a BYU lineman.
Last year, the Chiefs took Kingsley Suamataia in Round 2. This year, I'm predicting that Veach will wait until every other need is addressed before he gives Reid a chance to pick one of his pet prospects.
This article originally appeared on Chiefs Wire: Chiefs pick Mizzou, K.U. stars in final 7-round mock draft
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