Kansas City Chiefs mock draft 2024: Vying for three-peat after free agency

Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

Who will the Kansas City Chiefs draft in 2024? While a definitive answer won’t come until draft day, our Chiefs mock draft after free agency examines what path Kansas City could take in the 2024 NFL Draft.

Before diving into our 7-round Chiefs mock draft, here’s a quick rundown of everything you must know.

Kansas City Chiefs draft

Here are the Chiefs draft picks in the 2024 NFL Draft.

Round 1, 32nd overall
Round 2, 64th overall
Round 3, 95th overall
Round 4, 131st overall

Round 5, 159th overall
Round 6, 173rd overall
Round 7, 221st overall

Kansas City Chiefs draft

Here are the current Chiefs draft needs in 2024.

Offensive Tackle
Wide Receiver
Tight End

Cornerback
Defensive Line
Running Back

Kansas City Chiefs mock draft: Addressing needs on both sides of the ball

Round 1, 32nd overall: Adonai Mitchell, WR, Texas Longhorns

Kansas City Chiefs mock draft 2024, Chiefs 7-round mock draft — Texas wide receiver Adonai Mitchell (5) celebrates a play in the second half of the Longhorns’ game against the Cyclones at Jack Trice Stadium in Ames, Iowa, Saturday, Nov. 18, 2023. Texas won the game 26-16. Credit: Sara Diggins/American-Statesman / USA TODAY NETWORK

Spending the Chiefs’ first-round pick on a wide receiver is about multiple things. For one, future Hall of Fame tight end Travis Kelce could very likely retire after the 2024 season. It would leave a massive void in Kansas City’s offense, especially with Marquise “Hollywood” Brown poised to become a free agent. In short, adding a playmaker is just as much about long-term success as vying for a three-peat.

Adonai Mitchell is perfect for the Chiefs’ offense. With Rashee Rice working underneath, Mitchell (6-foot-2) would serve as the offensive weapon who can beat teams both deep downfield and can make plays after the catch working the intermediate areas of the field. He’s also very good at positioning his body in tight coverage to make contest catches, especially near the sideline. There’s enough upside and talent for Mitchell to become a No. 1 receiver and being partnered with Patrick Mahomes in Andy Reid’s offense is the perfect place for Mitchell to reach his ceiling.

Round 2, 64th overall: Marshawn Kneeland, EDGE, Western Michigan Broncos

The L’Jarius Sneed trade means the Chiefs’ secondary will almost certainly take a step back in 2024. To avoid significant regression defensively this fall, Kansas City must improve its pass rush. It’s an even bigger area of need because Charles Omenihu, who suffered an ACL tear in the NFL playoffs, likely won’t be close to 100 percent whenever he returns.

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Western Michigan Broncos edge rusher Marshawn Kneeland was dominant last season, both as a run defender and pass rusher. He generated 37 pressures with a 17.3 percent PFF pass-rush win rate and he ranked 17th in the FBS among edge rushers for run-stop rate (11 percent). The 6-foot-3 edge defender is a very good athlete for his size and he offers the versatility to put his hand in the dirt or be a stand-up pass rusher. Either way, putting him opposite George Karlaftis with Chris Jones on the interior would take this Chiefs’ pass rush to another level in 2024.

Round 3, 95th overall: Patrick Paul, OT, Houston Cougars

As our Chiefs mock draft demonstrates, picking so late in the draft means you miss out on premium talent at the most important positions. Unfortunately for Kansas City, that could force them into waiting to address offensive tackle until some point on Day 3. On the bright side, Patrick Paul is a great consolation prize for the Chiefs coaching staff.

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We’ll start with the athleticism. Standing at 6-foot-7, Paul recorded an excellent 9.75 Relative Athletic Score during the pre-draft process. Combine those movement skills with his long arms and you immediately see great tools at left tackle for an offensive line coach to work with. He also made improvements with his technique and pass blocking from year to year, the kind of growth that bodes well for future development. While Paul wouldn’t be an effective starter at left tackle in 2024, he would be the long-term guy to protect Mahomes’ blindside for years to come.

Round 4, 131st overall: McKinnley Jackson, iDL, Texas A&M Aggies

Chris Jones will almost certainly be finishing his career in Kansas City, but he isn’t enough for this defensive line. Heading into his age-30 season, Kansas City needs to find someone who can both help give Jones some chances to rest and find a player who can bolster the depth on the interior defensive line.

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McKinnley Jackson, a 326-pound defensive tackle, offers the first-step explosiveness that usually translates to the next level. At 6-foot-1, he’s also demonstrated that he can get the lower pad level to help him win in one-on-one situations in the interior. While Jackson won’t become a high-end starter, he can be an effective rotational defensive lineman and should be especially disruptive against one-on-one blocks with offensive linemen focused on Jones and Karlaftis.