BUILDING THE CHIEFS’ PERFECT 2024 NFL DRAFT CLASS
The Arrowhead Pride draft team has been grinding game film since last Labor Day. We’ve debated the rise and fall of draft prospects and done our best to predict how they will perform in the NFL.
So now, we’ll meld our minds in a great big Metroid-esque Mother Brain, trying to create the perfect draft class for the Kansas City Chiefs.
Will it be a thing of beauty? Or an abomination like Frankenstein’s monster?
You be the judge.
Day 1
The team’s three biggest positions of need are wide receiver, offensive tackle and cornerback. Other positions in consideration are defensive tackle and tight end. We will heavily prioritize taking the best player available.
Our draft rankings are based on AP’s 2024 consensus rankings. Trade values are based on John Dixon’s AV-based draft pick value chart.
We believe the Chiefs will have their eye on a few guys — and hopefully, one will slide to within striking distance. But as back-to-back champions, it’s a little harder to get another team to pick up the phone; nobody wants to be the franchise that helps Kansas City complete a three-peat.
General manager Brett Veach attempts a big swing, trying to trade up to the 15th pick to select LSU wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. But Indianapolis Colts GM Chris Ballard is in no mood to give his old pals in Kansas City a discount; his asking price is too high.
Players the Chiefs are considering with the 32nd pick include:
- Georgia wide receiver Ladd McConkey
- Texas wide receiver Xavier Worthy
- Alabama cornerback Kool-Aide McKinstry
- Missouri defensive lineman Darius Robinson
Since there is so much depth among wide receivers, the Chiefs decide to stay put — that is, until Oklahoma offensive tackle Tyler Guyton starts sliding down the board. Knowing they have to get ahead of the San Francisco 49ers to acquire him, Kansas City begins calling teams. Nobody wants to deal with them — and time is running out. The Buffalo Bills are on the clock for only a matter of seconds before running to the stage with their card for Texas wide receiver Adonai Mitchell.
The Chiefs make one last call — and to their surprise, the Detroit Lions pick up the phone.
Kansas City sends its 2024 first-round pick (32) and fifth-round pick (173) to Detroit, moving up three spaces to select Guyton.
Here is what AP writer Caleb James had to say about Guyton:
“With elite size and, more importantly, arm length, Guyton has the intangibles that will have scouts and coaches drooling, with Andy Reid and offensive line coach Andy Heck being no exception.”
Day 2
With an elite offensive tackle prospect in the fold, the Chiefs turn their eyes to wide receivers. Unfortunately, the second round begins with a run on pass-catchers. Xavier Legette, Ladd McConkey and Xavier Worthy are all gone before 38. Brett Veach doesn’t wait to make his move.
The Chiefs send their 2024 second-round selection (64), their fourth-round pick (131) and 2025’s seventh-round pick to the New Orleans Saints to jump 19 spots to 45th, where they select Washington wide receiver Ja’Lynn Polk.
Here is what AP’s Nate Christensen said about the former Husky:
“I would love Polk in Kansas City. The Chiefs just need a starting wide receiver, and Polk could easily do that. Everything he did at Washington would easily translate to the NFL, and he could instantly be helpful to a team trying to win a Super Bowl.”
With pick 95, Kansas City continues to build in the offensive trenches, planning for the future by selecting Boston College guard Christian Mahogany.
AP’s lead analyst Ron Kopp Jr. wrote about Mahogany after his top 30 visit to Kansas City:
“For a long-term outlook, Mahogany profiles as a high fit to succeed right guard Trey Smith, who is entering the final season of his rookie contract. He plays with similar power, allowing him to be a weapon in the Chiefs’ run scheme as a tone-setter.”
Day 3
The Chiefs enter the final day without their fourth-round selection (131), the latter of their two fifth-round picks (173) and their sixth-round selection.
But thanks to the cornerback depth in the middle of this draft, one of the more underrated players slides to Kansas City.
With the 159th pick, the Chiefs select Arkansas cornerback Dwight McGlothern.
I wrote him earlier this month:
“While there is no such thing as a 1-1 replacement for L’Jarius Sneed, McGlothern gives you the same level of confidence and playmaking ability that you need in a starting cornerback. He is one of the smartest players in the draft.”
With the 221st pick in the seventh round, the Chiefs take a wide receiver turned running back: Purdue’s Tyron Tracey Jr.
Tracey is a dynamic playmaker with the ball in his hands. Thanks to his wide receiver background, he is a plus receiver who runs better routes than most running backs. But since he is still new to the position, his vision is a work in progress.
Arrowhead Pride’s Dream Draft
The Chiefs make five total selections — three in the first two days.
- Pick 29: Oklahoma offensive tackle Tyler Guyton
- Pick 45: Washington wide receiver Ja’Lynn Polk
- Pick 95: Boston College guard Christian Mahogany
- Pick 159: Arkansas cornerback Dwight McGlothern
- Pick 221: Purdue running back Tyron Tracey Jr.