KANSAS CITY, Mo. — After exploring the 2024 NFL Draft board in the first Chiefs Digest mock draft and trading up for a receiver in version 2.0, now it’s time to see what a left-tackle-or-bust draft might look like for Kansas City.
This draft is different from the first two in that a draft simulator wasn’t used. The exercise was conducted by Nick Jacobs and myself for the 41 is the Mic podcast as an idealistic mock draft for the Chiefs. The draft board by The Athletic‘s Dane Brugler was the guide to ensure there wouldn’t be any unrealistic selections, such as taking receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. at No. 32.
Here’s another way the Chiefs draft could unfold.
Round 1, No. 32 overall: It’s complicated
The mission here is to get a cornerstone left tackle for the future, and the first name on the list is Notre Dame’s Joe Alt. The consensus mock draft position for Alt, however, is No. 7 to Tennessee. The starting offer would be No. 32, a 2025 first-round pick and the 2025 third-round choice acquired from Tennessee, coincidentally, for L’Jarius Sneed. That’s virtually the same compensation package the Chiefs used to move from No. 27 to No. 10 in the 2017 NFL Draft to acquire Patrick Mahomes.
Using the Rich Hill trade value chart, it would be a nearly even trade for the Chiefs to send No. 32, their 2025 first-round pick and to the Titans for No. 7. Using the OverTheCap.com model, this is a lopsided deal in favor of Tennessee. Usually, a team moving up needs to overpay, so a third-day pick might be necessary as a sweetener. Alt is worth adding a 2024 fifth-round pick, and the Chiefs have two of them.
However, Alt isn’t the only highly-rated tackle in this year’s class. Penn State’s Olumuyiwa Fashanu and Oregon State’s Taliese Fuaga immediately follow him, and Fashanu would be the next target. A landing spot is tricky, however. Chicago at No. 9 could be in play if Alt falls or if the Chiefs want to land either of the next two tackles. No. 11 is also a possibility, whether it’s Minnesota or if they have traded with a team such as Arizona for quarterback J.J. McCarthy. It would likely require the same package of No. 32 and 2025 first and third to move here.
Plan C would be moving up for Georgia tackle Amarius Mims. Again, Minnesota at No. 23 and Green Bay at No. 25 are potential landing spots. The price would be much cheaper, however, with the Chiefs being able to move up for No. 32 and the 2025 third-round pick from the Titans.
Plan D: If the Chiefs can’t get any of these deals done, there’s a possibility Oklahoma’s Tyler Guyton falls to No. 32. The sleeper pick here would be Washington’s Roger Rosengarten.
Also, I’m increasingly persuaded that there is more value in the 2025 class in the third round and beyond, so if general manager Brett Veach wanted to include this year’s third (No. 95 overall) and keep the Tennessee selection next year, that might be preferable. It might mean guaranteeing including a 2024 fifth-round pick, so any big move into the top 12, for example, would probably mean No. 32, No. 95, ( maybe No. 159 or 173) and the 2025 first.
Round 2, No. 64 overall: WR Ja’Lynn Polk, Washington
Will Polk make it to No. 64? He’s No. 74 on Brugler’s board but could be much higher on team boards, including Kansas City’s a trade up here using one of the two fifth-rounders might be worth it if necessary. Why is he a good fit in Kansas City? Polk sports good size (6-foot-1, 203 pounds), decent speed (4.52 time in the 40) and showed steady improvement through all four years at Washington. He’s already a good route runner and is physical both with and without the football. Shined last season with 69 catches for 1,159 yards and nine touchdowns.
Round 3, No. 95 overall: OG Christian Mahogany, Boston College
If the Chiefs don’t include this pick in a first-round trade scenario, addressing interior offensive line is a good value move here. Mahogany bounced back from a torn ACL in 2022 to earn first-team All-ACC honors last season and served as a team captain. What the Chiefs will prize, however, is his size (6-3, 314 pounds) and physicality. He played both guard positions (23 at right, 11 on the left), so he has flexibility. Mahogany plays with the same aggression exhibited by Creed Humphrey and Trey Smith, so he should fit in well with the room regardless of who is on the offensive line in 2025.
Round 4, No. 131 overall: RB Will Shipley, Clemson
Shipley is my popular pick at running back in this year’s draft for the Chiefs for two reasons. The first is that he was a productive back for the Tigers without too much wear-and-tear, rushing 526 times for 2,748, a 5.2-yard average, along with 31 touchdowns. He was also a consistent pass catcher with 85 receptions for 602 yards and two scores in three seasons. Any concerns about a knee injury that knocked him out of the Bowl should have been eased by his 4.45 time in the 40 at his pro day. At 5-foot-11, 206 pounds, he’s similar in size to Kareem Hunt, albeit with less strength despite a bit more speed. The second reason to like Shipley is that even if he doesn’t blossom into a future every-down back, his floor is a productive third-down option in the mold of Jerick McKinnon.
Round 5, No. 159 overall: DE Braiden McGregor, Michigan
The Senior Bowl alum is a long, lean pass rusher (6-foot-5, 257 pounds, 80 1/4-inch wingspan) that fits well in the Steve Spagnuolo and Joe Cullen defensive line system. Had a strong final season at Michigan with nine tackles for a loss, 4 1/2 sacks, and three passes defended. He’s longer and leaner than Mike Danna but plays with the same persistence and hustle. (This pick could be used as a trade piece to move up from No. 64 in the second round.
Round 5, No. 173 overall: S Kitan Oladapo, Oregon State
If this pick isn’t traded for a shot at Alt in the first round, time to dip once again into the Senior Bowl pool. Oladapo is among the sixth-year seniors in this class with a lot of college experience. Started as a walk-on in 2018 and finished his career as a second-team All-Pac-12 selection while leading the Beavers with two interceptions and 10 passes defended. Justin Reid isn’t under contract for 2025, and Oladapo would be an ideal No. 3 safety and a potential special teams ace.
Round 7, No. overall: WR Joshua Cephus, Texas-San Antonio
Cephus is another two-time mock draft selection for me despite a DWI arrest in 2015 that led to a sentence of 15 months probation. Cephus progressed steadily throughout his college career, finishing last season with 89 catches for 1,151 yards and 10 touchdowns with only one drop. His ball skills are his calling chard, and at 6-foot-2, 193 pounds, he can win jump balls down field. Low floor, high ceiling type of player but worth a shot late in the draft.
