Even though the Kansas City Chiefs just won the Super Bowl, they have a lot of needs on their roster. During the 2023 season, a lot was made about the team’s lack of talent at the wide receiver position because the franchise has yet to find a legit replacement for Tyreek Hill. Tight end Travis Kelce caught fire in the postseason, but he showed some signs of decline during the regular season. While getting more weapons for Patrick Mahomes is definitely a consideration, there are other needs that Kansas City will consider addressing in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft. Sources with the Chiefs told WalterFootball.com that the team is targeting a wide receiver, cornerback, or offensive tackle for Round 1 of the 2024 NFL Draft.
Along with those three premium positions, defensive tackle is a possibility if star defensive tackle Chris Jones is not signed to a new contract. Late in the first round, there could be options at defensive tackle like Michigan’s Kris Jenkins, Ohio State’s Michael Hall Jr. and Illinois’ Johnny Newton. However, Chiefs sources were optimistic that Jones would be re-signed.
Assuming Jones is retained, Kansas City’s situation at cornerback will be worth monitoring. L’Jarius Sneed could be a franchise tag candidate with a potential trade after that, according to reports. Along with signing Jones, the big-money contracts paid out elsewhere on the roster make it difficult to project that Sneed could be signed to a long-term deal. Sneed also would draw a lot of interest from other teams if he hits unrestricted free agency. Late in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft, it could be difficult for Kansas City to land a first-round caliber cornerback. Perhaps Alabama’s Kool-Aid McKinstry or Iowa’s Cooper DeJean could make it to pick No. 32, but that could be a stretch. Still, there is some good depth of cornerback prospects in the 2024 NFL Draft.
The offensive tackle position is a top candidate to address as well. Left tackle has been revolving door for the Chiefs over the past few seasons, and their starting left tackle Donovan Smith is a free agent. Smith did not play well in 2023, and the Chiefs were able to win despite Smith. Late in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft, they could see some left tackle options available like Arizona’s Jordan Morgan or Oklahoma’s Tyler Guyton.
Wide receiver should have a number of good prospects available at the end of the first round. Kansas City could have some options to land a big receiver like Florida State’s Keon Coleman or South Carolina’s Xavier Legette. They also could have a shot at landing a speedster like Texas’ Xavier Worthy.
It will be a fascinating offseason to watch Kansas City and see how the team reloads in an effort to pull off a three-peat of Super Bowl Championships. In Walt’s latest 2024 NFL Mock Draft, he has the Chiefs addressing one of these premium positions, which matches the current thought process in Kansas City.
