Kansas City Chiefs 2024 NFL Mock Draft Roundup 5.0
The 2023-24 college football season is over, which means the NFL campaign is heating up with the playoffs arriving.
That also signals that the 2024 NFL Draft is beginning to take even more of a focus for prospects, scouts, coaches, analysts and fans alike. April will be here before anyone knows it, and general manager Brett Veach will soon be tasked with finding premier talents to add to the Kansas City Chiefs' depth chart for next season and beyond.
With the College Football Playoff officially in the books, who could the Chiefs look to bring into the fold in the first round? Let's take a look at some projections from recent major outlet 2024 NFL mock drafts.
CBS Sports: Tyler Guyton (OT, Oklahoma)
Ryan Wilson's latest 2024 NFL mock draft for CBS Sports sends Oklahoma offensive tackle Tyler Guyton to Kansas City. Guyton is a bit inexperienced as a starter but is brimming with potential and an impressive athletic profile. The jury is out on whether he'd be able to transition over to the left side long-term but with how much growing he still has left to do as a player, this would be a developmental bank on a smooth, easy-moving perimeter offensive line prospect:
Left tackle Donovan Smith is a free agent after the season, and right tackle Jawaan Taylor hasn't lived up to his contract. Rookie Wanya Morris has been capable in spot duty, but NFL teams are intrigued by Tyler Guyton's size and athleticism.
Pro Football Network: Keon Coleman (WR, Florida State)
Oliver Hodgkinson first-round mock for Pro Football Network gives the Chiefs some wide receiver help. Florida State's Keon Coleman is a big-bodied, competitive-natured player who thrives on physicality and overpowering his opponent. There are some questions about wasted motion and high-end fluidity, but he remains a fun prospect who would give Kansas City something the team doesn't typically go for at wideout:
The Kansas City Chiefs invested capital — draft and otherwise — at the wide receiver position last fall, but adding more weapons for Patrick Mahomes is never a bad idea.
That becomes an even better option if a pass catcher of Keon Coleman‘s capability slips into their grasp. Sticky hands, sensational body control, and the speed to be a return game threat are key parts of his game.
Pro Football Focus: Brian Thomas Jr. (WR, LSU)
Trevor Sikkema's mock 4.0 for Pro Football Focus focuses on another lengthy wideout prospect for the Chiefs. Brian Thomas Jr. would be an ideal vertical presence at the next level and is an explosive player in short and long-area situations. He sometimes doesn't play as big as he is and he's a bit rough around the edges, which makes him a bit of a gamble here. With that said, he'd add another dynamic to the offense:
The Chiefs have received a good return on investment with Rashee Rice as an after-the-catch weapon in their passing attack. But they are missing a reliable deep threat. Keyword: reliable.
Thomas was one of the top vertical threats in college football this season, with a 12.3-yard average depth of target across more than 1,000 receiving snaps. He is quick enough to defeat press coverage and has the long speed to separate on vertical routes.
The 33rd Team: Troy Franklin (WR, Oregon)
Connor Livesay's post-Week 18 mock sends an all-out speedster to help provide Patrick Mahomes with another weapon. Oregon's Troy Franklin has blazing top-end speed and is a nightmare vertically. He seems to have a slightly more advanced understanding of how to attack opposing cornerbacks and flashes some nice route-running upside. He'd be a very Chiefs-style pick and an instant fit in the system:
The Kansas City Chiefs adding weapons to their offense is a must. Thankfully for the Chiefs, this is one of the deepest wide receiver drafts in years. Troy Franklin slots in perfectly with Andy Reid’s offense, and Franklin can be a reliable option for Patrick Mahomes.
Sports Illustrated: Patrick Paul (OT, Houston)
Like the one before it, Luke Easterling's most recent three-round mock for FanNation NFL Draft pairs Houston offensive tackle Patrick Paul with the Chiefs. Like Guyton, he's a long tackle with intriguing athleticism, but Paul has underdeveloped technique at this stage. This selection might be even more of a risk, although his recent experience on the left side of the line is a bonus:
Another team that could use help at wide receiver, the Chiefs might be better off taking advantage of the depth there on Day 2, and targeting a more premium position here. Protecting Patrick Mahomes' blind side should be the top priority, and Paul's combination of size and length give him as much upside as any tackle in this year's loaded class.
