New Chiefs Mock Draft Expert Roundup for 1st-Round Picks

This will likely be one of the few times the Chiefs pick in the top ten with Andy Reid and Patrick Mahomes leading them. That adds extra pressure to maximize this opportunity to enhance its roster. Gaining a first-round pick from the Rams after trading Trent McDuffie gives them another chance to freshen up an aging squad.

Ahead of the first round of the draft on April 23, here's a look at what experts are projecting the Chiefs to do with the No. 9 and 29 picks:

Expert: B/R NFL Scouting Department (3/31)

Selections (No. 9 & 29): WR Jordyn Tyson, Arizona State & Edge T.J. Parker, Clemson

Jordyn Tyson

Two factors should come into play once the Kansas City Chiefs are on the clock with the ninth overall pick.

First, the organization shouldn't expect to draft this high again for some time. Kansas City operates on a Super Bowl standard and should continue to do so with Patrick Mahomes at quarterback.

Second, the Chiefs own a second first-round selection thanks to the Trent McDuffie trade.

General manager Brett Veach should take a big swing here and select a prospect with immense upside. As long as the Chiefs' medical personnel is comfortable with Jordyn Tyson's history of injuries, the team could be adding the class' best wide receiver.

"Tyson's blend of dynamism, short-area quickness and route-running upside fits well with Andy Reid's play-calling," B/R scout Damian Parson said. "The Chiefs need a potential difference-maker at wide receiver, and Tyson offers all of that and more." 

T.J. Parker

Logically, the Kansas City Chiefs could add secondary help after trading Trent McDuffie and losing Bryan Cook, Jaylen Watson and Joshua Williams in free agency. But the Chiefs believe in their ability to draft and develop defensive backs. Plus, they signed Alohi Gilman and Kader Kohou to offset a couple of those losses.

Furthermore, the team's defensive approach is built upon the philosophy of creating pressure to make life easier on those in coverage.

"The Chiefs' defense needs help on the edge," B/R scout Matt Holder said, "but defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo is pretty picky, favoring defensive ends who can play the run and win with power as a pass-rusher. Those traits describe T.J. Parker rather well. This selection can also be seen as a great value pick since many had the Clemson product as the top edge-defender entering the 2024 campaign. Obviously, Parker's draft stock lost some steam during the season, but that trend happened for multiple prospects coming from a disappointing Clemson program."

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Expert: Mel Kiper Jr., ESPN (3/17)

Selections (No. 9 & 29): Edge Rueben Bain Jr., Miami & CB Brandon Cisse, Auburn

Expert: Field Yates, ESPN (3/24)

Selections (No. 9 & 29): WR Jordyn Tyson, Arizona State & Edge Cashius Howell, Texas A&M

Expert: Matt Miller, ESPN (3/30)

Selections (No. 9 & 29): Edge Reuben Bain Jr., Miami & CB Avieon Terrell, Clemson

Expert: Lance Zierlein, NFL.com (3/31)

Selections (No. 9 & 29): OT Spencer Fano, Utah & WR Denzel Boston, Washington

Expert: Daniel Jeremiah, NFL.com (3/17)

Selections (No. 9 & 29): OT Spencer Fano, Utah & CB Colton Hood, Tennessee

Expert: Dane Brugler, The Athletic (3/4)

Selections (No. 9 & 29): Edge Rueben Bain Jr., Miami & N/A due to Trent McDuffie trade

Expert: Danny Kelly, The Ringer (3/4)

Selections (No. 9 & 29): TE Kenyon Sadiq, Oregon & CB Brandon Cisse, Auburn

Summary

The Chiefs can go in a wide variety of different directions with their decisions. While they do need to add talent at edge rusher and cornerback, Mahomes could use a big wide receiver who can make contested catches and be dependable in the red zone. That's one of many things that let down the NFL's most successful team over the last decade in pivotal moments.