A 40-22 loss in the Super Bowl is a rough way to end the season. But as the team that came closest to a three-peat in the Super Bowl era, the Kansas City Chiefs don’t have much to hang their heads about. With three titles since Patrick Mahomes took over, they remain the gold standard in the NFL.
Still, some changes are needed. Throughout last season, the Chiefs were stuck in tight, one-score games. With their offensive line falling apart in the Super Bowl, a major bounce-back is necessary. Brentley Weissman’s latest mock draft from PFN lays out a blueprint to help them reload.
31) Grey Zabel, OL, North Dakota State
The most glaring hole on the Chiefs’ roster is along the offensive line. The unit did just enough to get to the Super Bowl, but it wasn’t great overall—and the loss of Joe Thuney makes things worse. Drafting a top lineman should be a top priority.
Grey Zabel is a versatile lineman with experience at both tackle spots and inside at guard. He’s a strong, powerful player with good movement skills who could compete for a starting role at multiple spots.
The offensive line struggled in the Super Bowl, but a No. 12 finish in PFN’s OL+ metric shows it’s not a lost cause. Losing Thuney hurts, but considering he was dealt in a trade, Kansas City likely has a plan in place.
63) Darius Alexander, DT, Toledo
One of the bigger surprises in the mock is Darius Alexander falling to the end of the second round. He’s got great size, length, and a nasty speed-to-power combo. He needs to shed blocks quicker, but his upside at this spot is significant.
The defense was a bright spot for Kansas City all year. While the Super Bowl performance fell short, it felt more like an outlier than a red flag. Despite dealing with injuries, the unit still finished 14th in PFN’s Defense+ metric.
If Alexander steps in for Tershawn Wharton, it could be a net positive for the defensive front.
66) Andrew Mukuba, S, Texas
The Chiefs could use more depth at safety, and Andrew Mukuba would be a strong fit. He has excellent range and instincts and can contribute as a free safety or a nickel defender.
Losing Justin Reid may have been one of the biggest hits any contender took this offseason. But Kansas City has drafted well in the secondary. If that trend continues, Mukuba could be the next step up.
95) Gunnar Helm, TE, Texas
It feels like we’ve been mocking tight ends to Kansas City for years now, but it might finally be time. Travis Kelce, a future Hall of Famer, is nearing the end. Gunnar Helm could be the next man up.
Helm had a breakout final year at Texas, putting up 786 yards and seven touchdowns. Kelce still led the team in receiving last season, but if KC wants to build a championship-level offense again, that can’t be the norm.
Helm could be the guy to start building chemistry with Mahomes now, with an eye on the future.
133) Quincy Riley, CB, Louisville
Kansas City added Kristian Fulton in free agency, but depth is still a need at corner. Quincy Riley could be a solid nickel back and a long-term project on the outside.
He has great instincts and the ability to thrive in multiple defensive looks. Riley could be a useful chess piece for a coordinator like Steve Spagnuolo.
226) Willie Lampkin, OG, North Carolina
Willie Lampkin might not be ready to start right away, but adding depth on the offensive line is a smart move. He’s quick, tough, and has the raw traits needed to develop. With the right coaching, he could be a valuable contributor down the line.
251) Andrew Armstrong, WR, Arkansas
The offense looks mostly set, assuming injuries don’t hit like they did last season. Even with Rashee Rice, Hollywood Brown, and Xavier Worthy, there’s always room for depth — especially when it’s someone like Andrew Armstrong.
He has two 1,000-yard seasons under his belt, even if his red zone production has dipped — from 15 touchdowns in 2022 to just six combined over the next two seasons. If he fixes that, he could earn real reps in this offense.
257) Drew Kendall, OC, Boston College
With the final pick of the 2025 NFL Draft, the Chiefs grab Drew Kendall. He doesn’t wow with athleticism, but his fundamentals — especially in the screen game — are strong. He could develop into a guard or tackle over time and provide needed depth up front.