Kansas City Chiefs 2024 NFL Mock Draft Roundup 3.0
The Kansas City Chiefs are currently on their bye week, which is a perfect time to take a look way ahead to the 2024 NFL Draft.
College football is in full swing, with teams fighting for ranking supremacy and opportunities to extend their seasons in bowls later on. Draft hopefuls are a major part of that, as some of the best programs in the entire country boast prospects who will hear their names called next April. Chiefs general manager Brett Veach figures to once again have lower picks in each round due to the team's success, but hitting on those selections is a critical part of keeping the franchise's championship window open.
With draft prospects' respective seasons beginning to heat up, who could the Chiefs look to add into the fold in the first round? Let's take a look at some projections from this month's major outlet 2024 NFL mock drafts.
CBS Sports: Xavier Worthy (WR, Texas)
Chris Trapasso's most recent mock for CBS Sports sends Texas wide receiver Xavier Worthy to Kansas City. Worthy, a junior, has 49 receptions for 620 yards and four touchdowns in his third year with the team. His body type is a question mark moving forward, but he's a burner with big-play ability:
The Chiefs scare everyone by selecting a small and super-speedy wideout near the end of the first round.
Pro Football Network: Worthy
Ian Valentino's seven-round mock on Pro Football Network echoes the same sentiment as Trapasso's projection. Worthy, whom Valentino compares to Philadelphia Eagles standout DeVonta Smith, has a wiry build. Smith has had success at the pro level, however, which may be paving the way for players like Worthy to not scare organizations away:
Could Xavier Worthy be the next iteration of the “Slim Reaper”? The Kansas City Chiefs would be scary good once again on offense if he is.
Like DeVonta Smith, Worthy’s lack of mass and natural flexibility allow him to snap off routes consistently. Worthy is more impressive after the catch than expected, and he’s shown the ability to win from the slot and outside against all coverage variations.
Pro Football Focus: Ja'Lynn Polk (WR, Washington)
Trevor Sikkema's recent November mock for Pro Football Focus goes with yet another wide receiver: Washington's Ja'Lynn Polk. In his fourth year with the team, Polk is posting career-best marks in receptions (51), yards (888) and touchdowns (8). Three of his last four games have seen him go for over 100 receiving yards, helping build his already solid draft stock:
Polk has evolved into one of the most impressive deep-threat and contested-catch players in college football. In Washington’s vertical offense, he’s hauled in eight of his 11 contested opportunities and caught 96.5% of the catchable passes thrown his way. He would be a welcomed and reliable vertical threat for Mahomes and company.
Draft Network: Xavier Legette (WR, South Carolina)
There's a common theme here. Damian Parson's October mock draft opts for another wideout, pegging Xavier Legette to the Chiefs. The fifth-year man is having a breakout in his final collegiate season, averaging over 100 receiving yards per game and having a big body that adds intrigue to his prospect profile. Most either love Legette's upside or are intimidated by his floor, making him a boom-or-bust pick in the first round:
The wide receiver position is a clear issue for the Chiefs’ offense. Xavier Legette adds a big-body, explosive three-level receiving option. Whether winning vertically, on crossers, or with his outstanding ball skills, Legette would pair well with Travis Kelce, Patrick Mahomes, and current rookie Rashee Rice.
Bleacher Report: Patrick Paul (OT, Houston)
Brandon Thorn, on behalf of the Bleacher Report scouting department in a post-trade deadline mock, goes with Houston offensive lineman Patrick Paul. Paul, who appeared in the second edition of Arrowhead Report's mock roundup series, has an NFL bloodline and profiles as a starting tackle at the next level:
"Houston's Patrick Paul has excellent size (6'7", 315 lbs), and he regularly engulfs defenders in pass protection with a nifty blend of pass sets and independent use of hands to disrupt a pass-rusher's timing before using his massive wingspan to tie them up," Thorn said. "Paul does let his pad level and hand placement get away from him too often, leading to clean, easy losses that will need to be cleaned up to stick as a NFL quality starter. But he brings a nasty demeanor that coaches will love.
"The Chiefs have an elite offensive line coach in Andy Heck and an ultra-friendly scheme to help a young lineman along, giving Paul the ideal landing spot to iron out some kinks and maximize his talent. Smith is also set to hit free agency, leaving an opening at the position."
Sports Illustrated: Tyler Guyton (OT, Oklahoma)
Luke Easterling's mock for FanNation NFL Draft following Week 8's results rolls with Oklahoma's Tyler Guyton. Guyton is a very long offensive lineman with plus athleticism, which could make NFL executives and scouts salivate. With that said, he's still rough around the edges and would fit into more of a developmental mold as opposed to a plug-and-play one right away:
Jawaan Taylor has been solid on the right side, but the Chiefs need both an immediate upgrade and a long-term solution at left tackle. Guyton has the size, length, power and athleticism to be that kind of presence, protecting Patrick Mahomes' blind side for the foreseeable future.
