KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- The Kansas City Chiefs made seven selections at the 2024 NFL draft -- beginning with the No. 28 selection of WR Xavier Worthy.
Here is a look at each of Kansas City's selections:
Analysis of every pick | Updated depth chart
Round 1, No. 28 (via Buffalo): Xavier Worthy, WR, Texas
My take: The Chiefs didn't want to merely rebuild at wide receiver after last season's group underachieved. They wanted to rebuild with speed. Selecting Worthy, who ran a combine record 4.21 40-yard dash, is a major step in that direction. Worthy joins another fast receiving acquisition, free agent signee Marquise Brown. The Chiefs struggled last season to connect on many big plays down the field and they hope these moves, particularly drafting Worthy, corrects the problem.
When will he be expected to get regular playing time? It's a disappointment if Worthy doesn't contribute in a meaningful way immediately. The Chiefs talked about how quickly he was able to help at Texas as a freshman, when he caught 62 passes and scored 12 touchdowns. While he may not have that kind of impact as a rookie, he still needs to have significant production. He will also get ample opportunities as a kick return specialist.
What we're hearing about Worthy: "It's a speed game and the more speed you have on the field, the harder it is for defenses to take away different elements of the game," general manager Brett Veach said. "Just our ability to play vertical and have speed on the field at all times and having Xavier and Hollywood . . . I think as the season goes on here, I think we'll have just an offense that can attack in multiple different ways and always keep defenses guessing.''
Round 2, No. 63 (via San Francisco): Kinglsey Suamataia, OT, BYU
My take: Veach said last week the Chiefs would look for a player to provide competition for Wanya Morris at starting left tackle and here is that competition. Morris, a third-round pick last year, has the benefit of experience after starting a handful of games last season. But the Chiefs didn't trade up a spot to draft Suamataia in the second round for him to be a backup forever.
The need he's helping fill: Chiefs tackles were 31st in run block win rate last season, ahead of only the New York Jets. But as long as Patrick Mahomes is their quarterback, protecting him will be job No. 1. The Chiefs have led the league in pass block win rate in each of the last two seasons.
Round 4: No. 131: Jared Wiley, TE, TCU
My take: The Chiefs, who have favored multiple-tight end formations with Andy Reid as coach, have a fourth to add to their depth chart, joining Travis Kelce, Noah Gray and Irv Smith Jr. At 260 pounds, Wiley will also have a chance to earn a role on special teams.
Round 4: No. 133: Jaden Hicks, S, Washington State
My take: The Chiefs' safety depth chart has veterans in Justin Reid, Bryan Cook and Chamarri Conner at the top, so unless there's an injury ahead of him Hicks might provide mostly depth and play on special teams to begin his career. But Hicks is capable of playing a variety of roles, so it might not be long before defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo finds a way to get him on the field.
Round 5: No. 159 (via Dallas): Hunter Nourzad, OL, Penn State
My take: Nourzad played center, guard and tackle at various points in college, but the Chiefs project him at the interior positions in the NFL. They were solid at those spots in their starting lineup in 2023 but might have a vacancy beyond that with Creed Humphrey and Trey Smith heading into the final seasons of their contracts.
Round 6: No. 211 (via San Francisco): Kamal Hadden, CB, Tennessee
My take: The Chiefs were looking to add at cornerback after trading L'Jarius Sneed. They picked five cornerbacks in the previous two drafts, so Hadden might not get immediate playing time. But he could break into the lineup with some development. At 6-foot-1 and almost 200 pounds, Hadden has the size the Chiefs prefer in their cornerbacks.
Round 7, No. 248: C.J. Hanson, G, Holy Cross
My take: Hanson is the Chiefs' second interior offensive lineman among their final three picks in the draft. They needed depth at guard after losing their top reserve, Nick Allegretti, in free agency. Hanson won't get immediate playing time, but he could eventually compete for a starting spot.