Chiefs NFL Draft big board: 20 players to watch in first 3 rounds for positions of need

The NFL combine, which begins this week in Indianapolis, is the official start of draft season.

The Chiefs have plenty of roster needs that can be addressed with draft picks in late April.

Kansas City has just six picks, so each selection will have to be carefully considered by general manager Brett Veach and coach Andy Reid.

They enter the draft with the 31st pick in the first round.

Advertisement The Chiefs still need a left tackle and potential upgrades or additional depth at defensive tackle, running back, wide receiver, cornerback and maybe even tight end (if Travis Kelce retires).

While well learn more about the Chiefs offseason strategy beginning this week, lets look at some of the prospects in this years class who could be a fit for the team.

Well also use Dane Bruglers latest big board as a proper guide.

Not all of the players listed below will be available at No.

31, but its always possible Veach will trade up.

GO DEEPER D.J.

Humphries wants to prove he can be the Chiefs solution at left tackle Heres our projection for how the Chiefs wish list could look on days 1 and 2.

Note: Bruglers overall ranking for each player is listed in parentheses.

First-round prospects It makes sense that we start with a left tackle prospect.

Simmons is talented enough to be a Day 1 starter for the Chiefs, if they choose to trade up in the first round.

He could fall into the late first round because of the non-contact knee injury that ended his final college season.

When healthy, though, he is a quality pass blocker.

This might surprise some fans, but the team has only one defensive tackle under contract for 2025: Chris Jones.

The Chiefs could lose Tershawn Wharton in free agency.

Derrick Nnadi and Mike Pennel, also free agents, arguably are no longer in the prime of their careers.

With that in mind, it wouldnt be surprising if the Chiefs selected a defensive lineman in the first round.

Harmon was a disruptive force in college.

Bruglers lone criticism is that Harmon must become a more consistent finisher.

The Chiefs need another quality receiver to be a legitimate option alongside Rashee Rice and Xavier Worthy.

Burden plays bigger than his 5-foot-11 frame and has good speed to work in the middle of the field.

He also has above-average run-after-catch skills, which the Chiefs always covet with their pass catchers.

Advertisement Brugler describes Grant as a powerful 340-pound boulder.

The Chiefs could definitely use that on their roster alongside Jones.

Grant has similar traits to Jones, so it would be interesting to see how much the veteran could teach the rookie next season.

Michigan DT Kenneth Grant #2025s Strengths: moves like an actual Bear.

pic.twitter.com/Bg7wKwGlVf Nick Baumgardner (@nickbaumgardner) April 9, 2024 The Chiefs need another athletic edge rusher, especially if Charles Omenihu leaves via free agency.

They still have George Karlaftis, who is a bull in terms of tenacity and relentless pursuit of the quarterback.

Ezeiruaku would bring a nice balance on the opposite side.

He can win one-on-one matchups with his athleticism.

He ranked top three in the FBS this season in sacks (16.5) and tackles for loss (20.5).

Williams is expected to make an impact as a dominant run defender.

The Chiefs need a player like that next to Jones.

Brugler says Williams is one of the best run-defending linemen in this draft.

Jackson has exceptional strength and appears to have the fluid footwork necessary to protect quarterback Patrick Mahomes blind side.

After switching to left tackle late last season, he produced an impeccable playoff run that helped Ohio State win the national championship.

Jacksons punch against edge rushers was noticeable, a trait the Chiefs need to help elevate their passing attack.

GO DEEPER Chiefs offseason to-do list: Protect Patrick Mahomes, retain Trey Smith and more Running back options Johnson might have the perfect blend of skills the Chiefs are looking for in a running back.

He has a smooth running style with quality vision and has the skills to be a three-down back, too.

Showcasing patience and speed, Hampton rushed for 100-plus yards in 10 of 12 games last season and set a North Carolina single-season record with 2,033 all-purpose yards.

His skills as a receiver should be intriguing for Reid and offensive coordinator Matt Nagy.

Everyone knows UNC RB Omarion Hampton is getting the ball here, including Wake Forest and they try to muddy the LOS to slow him down.

No problem, Hampton goes airborne into the LB and powers into the end zone.

This was a dominant tape.

pic.twitter.com/ffnyFTxL6d Dane Brugler (@dpbrugler) November 21, 2024 If the Chiefs want a solid back, James is a worthy prospect.

Listed at 5-10, James may not be the best in pass protection.

But he can run the ball well and has the receiving skills for the Chiefs to consider him early in the third round.

Judkins has the skills to be an above-average scat back in the NFL.

His best traits are his play strength and run toughness.

Judkins scored three touchdowns in Ohio States win over Notre Dame in the national championship game.

Advertisement Sampson averaged 131.4 rushing yards per game in the SEC last season.

He offers good contact balance and vision to gain additional yards.

Day 2 intriguing prospects Arroyo would be an option if Kelce retires.

He is listed at 6-5 and could be one of the best athletes in the NFL at a skill position.

Last season, 71.4 percent of Arroyos receptions resulted in a first down or a touchdown.

Thomas looks like the prototypical cornerback defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo looks for.

The 6-2 Thomas recovers well from missteps, which leads to him rarely getting beat over the top.

If the Chiefs want another player similar to Karlaftis, look no further than the 6-6 Jackson, who attacks blocks with physical hands.

The Chiefs should consider using one of their Day 2 picks on a receiver, perhaps a prospect who has good speed but offers bigger size than the 5-11, 165-pound Worthy.

Listed at 6-4, Higgins generated more than 2,000 receiving yards over the past two seasons with the Cyclones.

Iowa State WR Jayden Higgins is a graceful 6-4 and 215 pounds and you can see his technique catching up with his size/speed.

Higgins told me he started to shift his focus from basketball to football as a junior in HS.

His best football is still ahead of him.

pic.twitter.com/ULGmnvi20n Dane Brugler (@dpbrugler) November 27, 2024 If Higgins is off the board, the 6-3 Harris is another capable option.

He still has the stride speed to be a factor on the perimeter.

The best parts of Harris game, Brugler said, are his hand-eye coordination and finishing toughness to make catches over defensive backs.

He can be a productive Robin for an NFL offense that already has a go-to target, Brugler wrote.

It sounds like Harris could be a fit next to Rice and Worthy.

Walker is a 340-pounder with a combination of size, strength and quick feet.

His tape offers plenty of flashes where he created negative plays.

Advertisement Amos is 6 feet tall, has 32-inch arms and played in college below the Mason-Dixon Line.

Hes a perfect project for Spagnuolo.

If the Chiefs lose linebacker Nick Bolton in free agency, it might be wise for them to take a swing at Paul, who could be a promising middle linebacker next to veteran Drue Tranquill.

Brugler said Paul is a linebacker who sees the field well and had the dirtiest jersey on each tape he studied.

(Photo of Donovan Jackson: Mark J.

Rebilas / Imagn Images).

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