With the draft rapidly approaching, Kansas City Chiefs fans are heavily anticipating what they could do this weekend. There has been a lot of discourse surrounding what the Chiefs may do, and fans each have an idea of what the team needs to do in the draft. Today, I took my stab at it and put together my final prediction for what the Chiefs will do in the draft this weekend.

Despite the Chiefs tendency to make draft day trades, there are none included in this mock

Round 1 (Pick 31) – Derrick Harmon, Defensive Tackle, Oregon

Harmon transferred to Oregon from Michigan State and had an insane year in 2024, dominating throughout his season. He made a big impact at Michigan State but took a huge step forward the next year of his career after making his way to Eugene.

Right now, Harmon ranks as my fourth defensive tackle and No. 17 overall on my big board, making him a real steal for the Chiefs at 31. I think that of the five defensive tackles in this year’s class that I have a first-round grade on, Harmon is the most likely to end up in Kansas City. Unless the Chiefs are willing to trade up (no trades in this mock), I think it is likely the other three (Kenneth Grant, Walter Nolen, and Mason Graham) are off the board when they pick, and Harmon will make the most sense.

Throughout his college career, Harmon has shown dominating power with violent hands and power from the arms that allows him to get leverage early on in both pass and run situations. He simply just moves people out of his way, and his ability to get early wins and bully his way through the interior is very impressive.

He’s incredible against the run and fills lanes with discipline and makes tackles at a very high level because of his length and size. Harmon will make a day-one impact as a 3-tech player immediately in the NFL. If the Chiefs are able to pair someone like Harmon with their superstar defensive tackle in Chris Jones, the duo could become one of the best in the NFL.

Round 2 (Pick 63) – Jonah Savaiinaea, Offensive Lineman, Arizona

Jonah Savaiinaea has been a guy I have been talking about for the Chiefs all offseason. Savaiinaea is a MASSIVE man who came in at six-feet-four inches, 324 lbs, and 33 7/8 inch arms at the combine, hitting every benchmark to be an NFL tackle. His immense talent shows up on film, and his successful career playing both guard and tackle at a high level makes him a great fit in Kansas City.

Coming into the offseason, I felt the biggest need for the Chiefs was on the offensive line due to the potential departure of Trey Smith and struggles at left tackle. But to Brett Veach’s credit, he did a great job putting together a solid group for 2024, but I think there is still some work to be done.

On film, Savaiinaea is a nasty, violent run blocker who uses his huge frame to dominate opposing linemen with elite power in the run game. He has very impressive movement skills for a guy of his size and uses his longer arms well to keep guys away from his chest.

Kansas City will give Savaiinaea a chance to compete with Kingsley Suamataia for the left guard spot, as well as provide him with a chance to earn a starting tackle spot in 2026. With Jawaan Taylor’s struggles, as well as the inexperience of Jaylon Moore, there are no guarantees that the Chiefs front will be successful. Adding a potential contributor early is a must in my opinion, and if they can land Jonah Savaiinaea on day two, I would be more than satisfied.

Round 3 (Pick 66) – Dylan Sampson, Running Back, Tennessee

Sampson is a guy who has not had his name come up anywhere near enough throughout the NFL draft process this offseason. Sampson displays a great skill set in every facet of the game and is a polished player who will make an impact immediately when he enters the league.

With his proven skillset as a runner, Sampson is all over the film, displaying incredible burst out of the backfield and the vision to hit the gaps hard to get to the next level. In the pass game, he is a willing and capable blocker who has a good frame to stand up rushers, while also having the movement skills to run routes and get open.

If his 1,400-yard season doesn’t say it enough, Sampson is great with the ball and his hands and is arguably even better without it. He has a polished skill set that allows him to remain on the field at all times, which is exactly what the Chiefs should be looking for.

I have Sampson sitting at No. 49 on my Chiefs top 50 board, and he is one of my favorite options for the team on Day Two. Pick 66 feels like a good spot for the Chiefs to take their favorite remaining running back in this year’s class, and while many have Sampson around pick 75, I would not mind KC reaching a little bit for their favorite back in the class.

Round 3 (Pick 95) – Tai Felton, Wide Receiver, Maryland

I recently took the time to write an individual article about Tai Felton to emphasize how much I think he could impact the Chiefs’ offense going forward. I have been pounding the table for the Chiefs to add Tai Felton this offseason, and in my final mock draft of the year, I had the Chiefs grab him near the end of the first round.

Earlier this week, this is what I had to say about Tai Felton in my individual preview:

“I had a third-round grade on Felton going into the offseason, but after an electric combine performance, he managed to work his way into my top 50. Felton posted a sub-4.4 40-yard dash and was a half-inch short of a 40-inch vertical jump. Felton’s explosiveness shows up on film, as he has clear breakaway speed as well as burst to win early on routes and break tackles.

The Chiefs’ wide receiver room is flooded with talent but has several question marks, including some off-field issues and injury concerns. The Chiefs will be looking for a do-it-all type of guy, and Tai Felton is one of, if not the most well-rounded receiver in this year’s draft class, who will make his impact felt on day one. It is likely the Chiefs will be able to get Felton in the third or fourth round of the draft, and if they are able to land him, he could become one of the biggest steals of the draft.”

I currently have Felton at No. 39 on my overall big board, which is significantly higher than the overall consensus, which has him just outside of the top 100. In this mock, the Chiefs take him a little above his predicted draft slot, but I think the NFL may be higher on him than people think. Felton will make a day-one impact and would be a great addition for the Chiefs around the third or fourth round.

Round 4 (Pick 133) – Billy Bowman Jr., Safety, Oklahoma

Similar to Felton, I just wrote about Billy Bowman on Tuesday and why he reminds me of a former superstar safety for the Chiefs. In that article, when talking about Bowman, I said:

“Bowman is all over the field for Oklahoma, lining up in the slot, over top, and even in the box as a hybrid linebacker in passing downs. You would not expect a guy with Bowman’s frame to be so effective at the line of scrimmage, especially as a tackler. But his aggressive mentality and relentlessness make him an incredibly valuable player and allow him to play all over the field. He also has coverage skills that allow him to match with slot corners and some tight ends, but he can be beaten by more physical pass catchers.

I am a huge fan of Bowman’s game, and I think he would be the perfect fit in the Chiefs’ defense. With several young safeties like Jaden Hicks, Bryan Cook and Chammari Connor, there may be room for Bowman to earn a job with the Chiefs. He will likely be available late day two or early on day three, and is a guy I would love to see in a Chiefs uniform in 2025 and beyond.”

I was considering taking Bowman in the third round at pick 95 because of the impact I think he could have early in his career. But in this mock draft, Bowman ends up being available for the Chiefs in the fourth round, and they get a steal with a guy who could have a significant role early in his career.

Round 7 (Pick 226) – Tim Smith, Defensive Lineman, Alabama

Tim Smith is one of the more veteran defensive linemen, who plays with intelligence and consistency. The Chiefs will need a consistent guy who can be a rotation defensive lineman for them going forward, and Smith is able to do that.

Smith has spent the last five years of his football career playing for Alabama, and while his impact is not reflected by the stat sheet, he was a consistent contributor in every game he played. While he only posted 6.5 sacks in his college career, Smith was an anchor and a leader for one of the best defenses in the nation. He is a quality run stuffer who also has a great feel for the game and finds ways to impact the game in any way he can.

Coming to Kansas City, Smith is all but a lock to make the roster and play a rotation role on the defensive line. The Chiefs need a do-it-all type of guy, with Chris Jones, Jerry Tillery, and first-round pick Derrick Harmon getting most of the snaps, Smith provides reliable depth for the Chiefs over the next few seasons.

Round 7 (Pick 251) – O’Donnell Fortune, Cornerback, South Carolina

I included Fortune in my last mock draft for the Chiefs at the exact same pick, and I am sticking with it. I love the skill set Fortune will bring to the NFL, and I think he will be a capable starter on the boundary in the NFL with the right coaches. The Chiefs have been successful in the past with late-round corners, and I think Fortune could continue that trend. Here is what I said about him a little over a week ago:

“Fortune quickly caught my eye when watching film of South Carolina’s stacked defensive line, and he continued to make plays and became a rapid riser on my draft board over the last three months. He is an impressive athlete who can do it all on the outside, with great length and ball skills to attack and make plays for his team. The Chiefs love these long athletic corners who they can get on day 3 and mold into their defensive scheme, and Fortune is just that.

The Chiefs have had so much success in the later rounds drafting corners, that it should almost be rule of law for them to draft one on Day Three. With Jaylen Watson and Joshua Williams likely hitting free agency in 2026, the Chiefs will need corners for the future. Trent McDuffie is one of the best corners in football, but in order for him to be effective, the team will need solid corners around him.

If Kansas City is going to add a corner to help bolster its secondary, it should take a chance on one of its three seventh-round picks. Fortune would be a great fit for the Chiefs and has the potential to be a full-time contributor for the next several seasons if he develops the way I think he can.”

As we get closer to draft weekend, I have similar feelings, and I think Fortune would be a great pickup for the Chiefs with one of their seventh-round picks.

Round 7 (Pick 257) – Theo Wease, Wide Receiver, Missouri

Maybe not the Missouri receiver that fans were hoping for, Theo Wease becomes Mr. Irrelevant in this year’s draft class with a chance to earn a roster spot straight out of training camp. Wease was in attendance for the Chiefs’ 53-man local pro day and was someone that I mentioned as someone to watch in my article about the top players working out for scouts earlier this month.

Despite being slightly overshadowed by his teammate, and first-round prospect Luther Burden, Wease made a name for himself after transferring to Missouri in 2023. Wease committed to Oklahoma out of high school, where he spent the first three years of his career. But after missing all of the 2021 season with a foot injury as well as a limited role in 2022, he elected to transfer.

Wease took a step up in his last two years at Missouri and looked like the receiver he was pre-injury. Over his last two seasons, Wease posted over 1500 yards and 109 receptions, proving to be a skilled and reliable outside receiver who can impact the game in a variety of ways.

Wease may not stand out with his production or athleticism, but his consistency and reliable hands will make him a good depth option in the NFL. He will have to compete for a roster spot, but the Chiefs will stop Wease from becoming a UDFA and give him a chance to earn his role going forward.

UDFA – Bryson Nesbit, TE, North Carolina

Nesbit came into the year heavily considered to be one of the top TEs in the draft after his breakout season with Drake Maye in 2023. Unfortunately, while teams were hoping to see him take a step forward, he seemed to take a step back in 2024 and missed the end of the season with a wrist injury. Nesbit is not a traditional TE and could be more of a big pass catcher, and who better to learn from than Travis Kelce?

UDFA – Tahj Brooks, Ruinning Back, Texas Tech

Brooks is someone I have mentioned a few times in the past for the Chiefs because of his skills as a pass blocker. The Chiefs will be looking to get some improvement protecting Patrick Mahomes, and Brooks is a guy who can come in on passing downs and make an impact. He will have to earn a roster spot, but if he does, he will play a Jerrick McKinnon type role… But a little bit bigger!

UDFA – Bru McCoy, Wide Receiver, Tennessee

McCoy was once a five-star recruit out of high school with tons of athletic upside to play all over the field. He stuck at wide receiver and has shown flashes of NFL talent. McCoy will have to prove his consistency on the field as well as address some off-the-field issues. McCoy has had some legal troubles as well as a major ankle injury in 2023. But if the Chiefs feel he is healthy and the off-the-field issues are resolved, he could earn a spot on the roster.

UDFA – Tommy Akingbesote, Defensive Lineman, Maryland

Akingbesote is a skilled athlete out of Maryland who has shown a lot of upside but has yet to put it together with consistency. He could be a good project for the coaching staff to work with, and someone like Chris Jones could have a major impact on his development due to their similar builds and athletic profiles.

UDFA – Johnny Walker, EDGE, Missouri

Walker was maybe the biggest snub from the NFL Draft Combine after having the best season of his college career at Missouri in 2024. Walker is a relentless EDGE who attended the Chiefs’ local pro day and may have built a relationship with some of the Chiefs’ staff. He could compete for a depth spot as a rotation edge rusher.

UDFA – Jamon Dumas-Johnson, Linebacker, Georgia

Jamon Dumas-Johnson was one of my top linebackers in last year’s class, but an injury caused him to miss the end of the season, and he chose to return to school. After transferring to Kentucky, JDJ never really was able to get back on track, and it’s likely he will fall out of the draft. Kansas City picks him up with hopes they can get him back to his old self as a depth linebacker.