KC Chiefs 2024 NFL Mock Draft Roundup 1.0

The Chiefs won't pick in the 2024 NFL Draft for months, but it's never too early to look at mock draft projections for the first round.

The 2023 NFL regular season is just now getting underway, yet many folks are already looking months ahead to the 2024 NFL Draft.

It's never too early to prepare for one of the league's most hectic and exciting events of the calendar year, and even contenders like the Kansas City Chiefs will need to hit on their picks in order to stay afloat. As general manager Brett Veach adds rookies into the fold, it helps keep cost-controlled talent on the team while also insulating the roster with youth, depth and long-term upside.

2024 mock drafts are beginning to roll in, so what's the latest Chiefs buzz? One player is emerging as a popular pick early on, with a couple of other sites opting for different draft-eligible prospects in the first round. Let's take a look at it all in the first official Arrowhead Report mock draft roundup of the cycle. 

CBS Sports: Adonai Mitchell (WR, Texas)

In Josh Edwards's most recent mock for CBS Sports, he has Kansas City picking at No. 31 overall in round one. With that selection, the mock targets Texas wide receiver Adonai Mitchell. Mitchell, a junior wideout and a recent transfer from Georgia, has 104 receiving yards and three touchdowns in his first two games of the 2023 collegiate season. The 6-foot-4 pass-catcher missed some time last year due to injury but is one of the more intriguing fringe first-round options in this year's class. Here's more from Edwards: 

Kansas City needs to stop shopping in the clearance aisle at the wide receiver store. Adonai Mitchell is a bit raw but possesses that long speed the Chiefs covet to open up the rest of the field.

Yahoo Sports: Adonai Mitchell

Curt Popejoy at Yahoo Sports isn't slowing down the Mitchell-to-Kansas-City hype train, sending him to the 2023 Super Bowl champions at the very end of 2024's first round. Georgia defensive tackle Nazir Stackhouse is his choice with the last pick in the second round of his two-round mock. The justification for Mitchell is short and sweet:

As good as the Chiefs are, they are still in need of more explosive and reliable options at wide receiver.

Pro Football Focus: Adonai Mitchell

Yet another Mitchell pick in this edition of the mock roundup. Trevor Sikkema at Pro Football Focus notes that there's some projection wrapped up in this hypothetical pick by the Chiefs, but he also makes fair points that Mitchell's blend of size and speed isn't able to be taught: 

Mitchell hasn’t played a ton of football over the last year, but he has scored a touchdown in each of the last six games he has started. Mitchell being a first-rounder is admittedly a projection, but I love the footwork and quickness he shows out of his release and when changing direction in his routes. Combine that with his 6-foot-4 stature, and I think the first round can be realistic.

Pro Football Network: Malachi Corley (WR, Western Kentucky)

Of all receivers in FBS play this past season, Western Kentucky's Malachi Corley logged more yards after the catch than anyone. Jack Borowsky is factoring that in with his pick here, citing him as a player who would be a fun fit in an Andy Reid offense. With a respectable catch radius, plus play strength and a possible future lining up in the slot, he'd be an ideal addition to the team. More from PFN's mock:

The Chiefs have done a poor job of drafting receivers the past few years and need to get the position right for their offense to continue being a juggernaut. Malachi Corley is elite with the ball in his hands and has a lot of similarities to Deebo Samuel.

Head coach Andy Reid will be able to get the most out of how special Corley is after the catch. Corley has great hands, can separate, and has the talent to finish as the Chiefs’ No.1 receiver by the end of his rookie season.

Sporting News: Ruke Orhorhoro (DT, Clemson)

After logging eight tackles for loss in each of his last two seasons, Clemson interior defensive lineman Ruke Orhorhoro is looking to cap off his collegiate career with his best effort yet. A first-round projection feels a tad early at this stage in Orhorhoro's development, but that isn't stopping Vinnie Iyer of Sporting News from mocking him to Kansas City. The Chris Jones situation (that has since been pseudo-resolved) factors into the selection:

The Chiefs are dealing with some drama with Chris Jones this preseason but they should think about their defensive interior front regardless with Derrick Nnadi unsigned past 2023. Orhorhoro's quickness into the backfield to blow up pass and run plays will be attractive.

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