Latest A to Z Sports first-round mock draft features the Kansas City Chiefs making a surprising but logical selection
Over 20 members of our A to Z Sports staff recently collaborated on a 2025 First-Round NFL Mock Draft. The pressure is mounting for teams to finalize their draft boards and prepare themselves for as many scenarios as possible. The first round is obviously where the most excitement is, as teams try to select a […]
Over 20 members of our A to Z Sports staff recently collaborated on a 2025 First-Round NFL Mock Draft.
The pressure is mounting for teams to finalize their draft boards and prepare themselves for as many scenarios as possible. The first round is obviously where the most excitement is, as teams try to select a player who will make and instant impact as a rookie and develop into a key piece of their roster.
The Kansas City Chiefs' first pick will come at No. 31 overall, and there are a lot of different ways they can go with it, including trading up or down. They have done a great job in free agency of filling roster holes and setting themselves up to take the best players available, regardless of position.
A to Z Sports Chiefs writer and conference editor Charles Goldman made the first-round selection for Kansas City during the mock draft, choosing a player who hasn't been linked to the team much, but could be a difference maker. Let's see who it is and analyze Charles' pick below. . .
Safety Nick Emmanwori, South Carolina Gamecocks
"Even with the board falling so that some offensive tackles are available, I'm going to go against the grain with this pick. The Raiders have a major weapon in TE Brock Bowers for the foreseeable future. The Broncos added TE Evan Engram in free agency. The Chargers selected Michigan TE Colston Loveland in this draft. Adding an elite athlete like Emmanwori, who can be a true coverage mismatch against tight ends and big slot receivers, seems like a good strategy for the Chiefs. Beyond the appealing coverage matchups, he can be a three-level defender and chess piece for Steve Spagnuolo's defense. Dime linebacker, edge rusher, deep safety- you could really see it all from Emmanwori." — Charles Goldman
K.C. does have a need at safety, but it probably ranks lower than a lot of other positions on people's list. However, as we already touched on, the Chiefs are set up to select from a wide range of options. Also not to be forgotten is that this year's draft class is deep at other positions of need for K.C., such as running back and defensive tackle.
Given those factors, Emmanwori would not only be a great pick at No. 31, but he could be a steal. Emmanwori placed first among all defensive backs in the draft in athleticism score, production score, and total score per Next Gen Stats. He possesses blazing 4.3 40-yard dash speed and has ideal size to match at 6-foot-3 and 220 pounds.
As Charles mentioned, Emmanwori's versatility is something Spagnuolo could do diabolic things with. Emmanwori's coverage skills could allow linebacker Nick Bolton to focus more on his strengths as a run defender, as well as allowing Spagnuolo to continue with his heavy, exotic blitzing nature.
A trio of Bryan Cook, Jaden Hicks, and Emmanwori at safety could really solidify the Chiefs' defense. Spagnuolo could use him similarly to how he utilized Hicks in 2024 as a situational player and special teams ace. With Cook set to hit free agency after the 2025 season, Emmanwori could step into a starting role if K.C. doesn't bring Cook back.
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