Our final 2025 mock NFL Draft has Chiefs going in a different direction
The Star’s final seven-round mock draft for the Chiefs presents a new possibility at the top.
The first three dartboard exercises agreed on the Chiefs’ first-round choice of a defensive lineman — tackle or edge. The reasoning is simple: The Chiefs need to replenish this aspect of their defense, and the talent level in this year’s draft class is deep at those positions.
D-line remains the best bet, unless the Chiefs find the ideal offensive tackle in a year when that particular position group is thin.
But the Chiefs may find players with first-round grades at other positions when they select at No. 31. Defensive line and tackle on offense remain priorities, but could there be a choice outside the trenches that’s too tempting to ignore?
Chiefs general manager Brett Veach leaves open that possibility.
“If we’re sitting there at 31, we certainly have a need for O-line, D-line, corner(back), wide receiver,” he said Thursday. “All options are open. I guess we’ll see how it shakes out.”
Let’s use this mock draft 4.0 to introduce that thought.
Or perhaps we call it Mach 4.0, because the choice here brings speed, not to mention familiarity with the market.
Round 1 (31st overall): WR Luther Burden III, Missouri
The Chiefs have selected a wide receiver among their top two picks in each of the last two years: Rashee Rice in 2023 (second round) and Xavier Worthy in 2024 (first round). How about adding another dynamic wideout to complete the package of targets for superstar QB Patrick Mahomes?
Burden delivered three solid seasons at Mizzou. His best was his sophomore year, when he finished with 86 receptions for 1,212 yards and nine touchdowns. He also returned punts.
In an Andy Reid offense, Burden would maximize his play-making ability. He’s terrific at yards after catch and, like Rice and Worthy would improve over the course of his rookie season.
Mock 1.0 selection: Edge Nic Scourton, Texas A&M
Mock 2.0 selection: DT Walter Nolen, Ole Miss
Mock 3.0 selection: DT Derrick Harmon, Oregon
Round 2 (63rd overall): DT T.J. Sanders, South Carolina
The Chiefs get their interior defensive lineman here. Gone are Tershawn Wharton and Derrick Nnadi. Veteran Jerry Tillery will join Chris Jones and Mike Pennel, but more rotation pieces are required.
Sanders is an athletic, pass-rushing tackle who recorded 8 1/2 sacks and and 16 1/2 tackles for loss in the past two seasons. Will he be available late in the second round? If so, the Chiefs could nab a player who was named SEC interior defender of the year by College Football Network.
Mock 1.0 selection: T Aireontae Ersery, Minnesota
Mock 2.0 selection: Edge Jack Sawyer, Ohio State
Mock 3.0 selection: Edge Princely Umanmielen, Ole Miss
Round 3 (66th overall): Edge Oluwafemi Oladejo, UCLA
Oluwafemi is a fast riser on draft boards. He started his college career at California, then transferred to UCLA. He also switched from linebacker to edge rusher early last season.
His 13 1/2 tackles for loss and 4 1/2 sacks topped the Bruins, and Oluwafemi was voted the team’s most outstanding defensive lineman.
The Chiefs added Janarius Robinson to a group that includes George Karlaftis, Mike Danna, Charles Omenihu, Felix Anudike-Uzomah and Malik Herring. But they’re always in the market for aggressive edge rushers and Oluwafemi would fit the bill.
Mock 1.0 selection: DL Shemar Turner, Texas A&M
Mock 2.0 selection: T Anthony Belton, North Carolina State
Mock 3.0 selection: CB Darien Porter, Iowa State
Round 3 (95th overall): OT Charles Grant, William & Mary
If the Chiefs trade up in the first round, it likely would be for a tackle like Ohio State’s Josh Simmons or Texas’ Kelvin Banks. But if that doesn’t happen, they could land Grant, an under-the-radar prospect from the FCS ranks.
A four-year starter at left tackle, he has good athleticism and arm length. The Chiefs seem set at left tackle with Jaylon Moore, but Grant could be developed as a potential future starter.
“We will continue in the draft to address the offensive line,” Veach said.
Mock 1.0 selection: WR Tex Johnson, Oregon
Mock 2.0 selection: WR Jalen Royals, Utah State
Mock 3.0 selection: T Ozzy Trapilo, Boston College
Round 4 (133rd overall): RB D.J. Giddens, Kansas State
Chiefs running backs have lacked the ability to make defenders miss in recent years. Giddens would bring that elusive skill, along with the patience to let holes develop.
His 6.55 yards-per-carry average last season set a new K-State record, eclipsing a mark previously held by Darren Sproles.
This is a deep draft for running backs, with plenty of quality available in the middle rounds. The Chiefs have drafted only one running back — Isiah Pacheco — since 2021, and he went in the seventh round.
With no pick on the board in the fifth or six rounds, the Chiefs could wheel and deal to fill the gap in their draft order. A quality running back should still be available in the middle rounds.
The team that lands Giddens will be getting a hard worker who was a zero-star recruit out of Junction City (Kan.) High School. He went to college 20 miles from home and became a star.
Mock 1.0 selection: RB Bhayshul Tuten, Virginia Tech
Mock 2.0 selection: RB Devin Neal, Kansas
Mock 3.0 selection: RB Damien Martinez, Miami
Round 7 (226th overall): TE Luke Lachey, Iowa
Good size at 6-6, 251 pounds, and he has the bloodline. His father, Jim, spent 10 years in the NFL as a left tackle, making three Pro Bowls and winning a Super Bowl ring with Washington.
Luke has a large catch radius and good hands. He would be part of an excellent tight end room with Travis Kelce and Noah Gray.
Mock 1.0 selection: T Gerad Christian-Lichtenhan, Oregon State
Mock 2.0 selection: CB Jason Marshall Jr., Florida
Mock 3.0 selection: LB Shemar James, Florida
Round 7 (251st overall): LB Jackson Woodard, UNLV
The Dave Toub round (top special teams candidates) continues with the Mountain West defensive player of the year. Woodard spent his first three seasons at Arkansas before moving west with his coach, Barry Odom.
Woodard was a tackling machine for the the Rebels, finishing fourth in FBS with 135 — including 3 1/2 sacks. He could be a nickel linebacker as well as a four-phase special teams player.
Mock 1.0 selection: CB Melvin Smith Jr., Southern Arkansas
Mock 2.0 selection: G Joshua Gray, Oregon State
Mock 3.0 selection: TE Jalin Conyers, Texas Tech
Round 7 (257th overall): S Hunter Wohler, Wisconsin
A two-year starter at safety for the Badgers, Wohler led the team in tackles and pass breakups. He’s a big hitter who would make his mark on special teams, at least initially.
Mock 1.0 selection: G Bryce Cabeldue, Kansas
Mock 2.0 selection: LB Nick Martin, Oklahoma State
Mock 3.0 selection: WR Chimere Dike, Florida
This story was originally published April 20, 2025 at 6:00 AM with the headline "Our final 2025 mock NFL Draft has Chiefs going in a different direction."