What positions do the Chiefs need to draft? Exploring Kansas City’s team needs in 2024 NFL Draft

The Kansas City Chiefs have primarily solidified their dominance through the NFL draft, largely due to the contributions of players like Patrick Mahomes. In order to sustain their impressive performance over the past five years, it will be crucial for them to make wise draft choices in the upcoming April draft.

Despite back-to-back Super Bowl victories, the Chiefs must still address various positions with a focus on the future, and certain positions may even necessitate a complete overhaul.

Despite only having three draft picks in the top 100 of the 2024 draft, the Chiefs will enter the draft with a total of seven selections. Their focus should be on addressing the positions listed below.

Analyzing the Kansas City Chiefs’ Draft Needs for the 2024 Season

One position in football that can be considered offensive is the tackle position.

Despite spending just one season with the team last year, the Kansas City Chiefs have not yet re-signed left tackle Donovan Smith.

The Chiefs have the financial flexibility to re-sign Smith due to their cap space, which was created by the trade of L’Jarius Sneed to the Tennessee Titans. However, regardless of their decision regarding the experienced OT, it remains clear that the Chiefs have a pressing need for the position as they prepare to pursue an unprecedented third consecutive championship.

The Chiefs have several outstanding options for their offense in the first round, should they decide to draft an offensive tackle. These include standout prospects such as Tyler Guyton from Oklahoma, Amarius Mims from Georgia, and Jordan Morgan from Arizona.

2) The position of cornerback

In 2023, L’Jarius Sneed was a key player for the Kansas City team, leading them in defensive snaps. His departure through a trade has created a significant gap that the organization must now address before the start of the next season, making it a major loss for the team.

With the exception of Trent McDuffie, who is a reliable starting cornerback, the majority of the other players on the team lack experience.

The Chiefs have primarily built their cornerback group using lower-value assets and late-round draft picks. Sneed, who has become one of the team’s top defenders, was originally chosen in the fourth round. Based on their track record of not using high draft choices on cornerbacks, it is unlikely that Kansas City will select a cornerback in the first round of this year’s draft.

3) Halfback

At present, Isiah Pacheco is the Kansas City Chiefs’ most reliable running back. However, this may change if the team decides to extend the contracts of Clyde Edwards-Helaire or Jerick McKinnon for the 2024 season.

Furthermore, the Chiefs have recently added rugby player Louis Rees-Zammit to their roster. Although there is speculation that he may play as a running back, his specific role in the NFL is still unknown.

Selecting a high-quality RB in the draft would prove advantageous as the Chiefs appeared to heavily depend on Pacheco at certain points throughout the previous season.

4) Receiver who plays on the outside and is responsible for catching passes

The Chiefs have added Marquise Brown to their primary pass-receiving group, alongside Travis Kelce and Rashee Rice, by signing him to a one-year contract worth $7 million in free agency.

The Chiefs must obtain a wide receiver if they want to better their league-leading 44 drops from last year, which were a major hindrance to their performance.

Despite the formidable trio of Brown, Rice, and Kelce as receiving options, injuries are bound to occur. The Chiefs’ offense could greatly benefit from the addition of another skilled receiver in 2024.

The Defensive Line

Besides Chris Jones and George Karlaftis, who serve as Kansas City’s top pass rushers, the remaining options are either dealing with injuries or have not been re-signed.

The Chiefs are expected to have another successful playoff run in 2024, but they require additional pass rushers. The team would benefit from selecting at least one more in the upcoming draft.