Following their embarrassment in Super Bowl LIX, the Kansas City Chiefs, after a successful free agency period, now focus on the upcoming roster elevation, which begins on Thursday. The NFL Draft is upon us, and for the Chiefs, there are numerous directions they can take to reshape their roster and future success.
The Kansas City Chiefs’ season ended with a significant loss last February. However, they still have head coach Andy Reid, quarterback Patrick Mahomes, and general manager Brett Veach, who is known for taking risks in the NFL draft.
Beginning tonight and continuing through Saturday afternoon, Veach and his team of scouts will patiently observe the development of their draft board based on the selections made by the other 31 teams gathering in Green Bay this weekend.
Veach had a highly productive offseason, signing new free agents and retaining key personnel, which will enable him to select the best player possible in each round.
However, without any selections in the fifth and sixth rounds and only three selections near the end of the seventh round, their impact must occur within four rounds, particularly highlighted by two selections in round three.
Now, that could change. If the Chiefs move up in the first or second round, they may end up with fewer picks as a result.
Regardless of how the board falls or the wish list of players suited for the Chiefs, Veach is approaching the most significant draft of his tenure with Kansas City.
Now, that represents significant pressure for a general manager with three Super Bowl wins and two losses over the last six seasons.
Though the stench of Super Bowl LIX has likely subsided, the desire to return to the Super Bowl and shake off the humiliation of an embarrassing loss, celebrated by numerous fans who were unanimously rooting against the Chiefs in other NFL cities, persists. This week, Veach must display the chip on his shoulder.
It’s not desperation time for the Chiefs, but they need an impactful draft to introduce youth and talent. As they approach Thursday, the Chiefs’ needs are precise. They must strengthen both lines of scrimmage, acquire an impactful running back, seek additional support in the secondary, and find another young wide receiver.
If Veach can secure a starting left tackle and a nose guard for the Chiefs in the first two rounds, everything that follows is just icing on the cake, fortunately for Veach, the areas of this draft that are most deeply aligned with their needs.
On Thursday, I’ll present my final mock draft; however, for now, the focus of this franchise remains on over-analysis and the significance of the work ahead.
The Chiefs have proven that when the rigors of their success falter, they bounce back better than ever. After losing to the New England Patriots in the AFC title game with Mahomes under center during his first year, they won the Super Bowl the following year, ending a 50-year nightmare for the Chiefs Kingdom.
When they traded Tyreek Hill for significant draft compensation, the Chiefs won back-to-back Super Bowls since his departure from the roster. Now, after being defeated by the Philadelphia Eagles, the Chiefs find themselves in familiar territory.
The good news is that during free agency, I can’t make a case for any team in the AFC that has closed the gap on the Chiefs. They remain the favorites to be in San Francisco next February. However, they’ll need to reinvent themselves a bit and show no mercy in defeating their competition.
What happens this week will significantly demonstrate to fans that the Chiefs are committed to returning to the Super Bowl for a fourth consecutive year. This achievement would tie the record set by the Buffalo Bills, who lost all four. Finding three or four starters for 2025 would certainly aid their cause.
