The Kansas City Chiefs fell short of their ultimate goal last season, suffering a lopsided loss to the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LIX.
Despite the setback, Kansas City remains a powerhouse, having appeared in five of the last six Super Bowls and aiming to reclaim its dominance when the 2025 NFL season kicks off.
Kansas City Chiefs draft recap
After an offseason marked by key departures in free agency, the Chiefs entered the draft with several needs across their roster.
General manager Brett Veach and his staff answered the challenge, delivering a draft haul that not only addressed immediate concerns but also added long-term value at premium positions.
The result is a refreshed roster poised to create strong competition across the board during training camp.
While much attention was given to the Chiefs’ top selections, including offensive tackle Josh Simmons and defensive lineman Omarr Norman-Lott, their later-round picks could end up making just as big an impact.
Wide receiver Jalen Royals and linebacker Jeffrey Bassa, selected in the fourth and fifth rounds respectively, are two players analysts have pointed to as major value picks.
Royals, in particular, offers the versatility and hands needed to potentially fill the void left by DeAndre Hopkins’ departure.
Pro Football Network gave the Chiefs an A- grade for their overall draft performance, specifically highlighting Royals and Bassa as late-round standouts with Day 2 talent.
Royals’ ability to line up across various receiver positions, coupled with his savvy route running and reliable hands, makes him an intriguing option for Patrick Mahomes’ offense.
Meanwhile, Bassa’s background as a safety adds a dynamic layer to Kansas City’s linebacker corps, providing depth and flexibility for defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo.
Seventh-round selection Brashard Smith also fits the mold of a player who can contribute early.
As a speed back, Smith offers a skill set the Chiefs lacked last season, potentially giving the offense an explosive option out of the backfield.
As the Chiefs look to sustain their winning ways, the depth added through these later draft picks may play a bigger role than many realize.
In a league where roster depth often separates contenders from pretenders, Kansas City’s quiet draft success could help them stay ahead of the pack in 2025.
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