Chiefs 7-round 2025 NFL Mock Draft: Rebuilding an offensive juggernaut for Andy Reid to pair with an elite defense
The Kansas City Chiefs have positioned themselves nicely in free agency, and they can choose any direction they want in the 2025 NFL draft. Last time around, we explored the impact of Charles Omenihu's return. In this particular mock draft, we will focus on rebuilding a dominant offense for Andy Reid and Patrick Mahomes for the foreseeable future […]
The Kansas City Chiefs have positioned themselves nicely in free agency, and they can choose any direction they want in the 2025 NFL draft.
Last time around, we explored the impact of Charles Omenihu's return. In this particular mock draft, we will focus on rebuilding a dominant offense for Andy Reid and Patrick Mahomes for the foreseeable future while also giving the defense the ability to sustain its current level of success.
Over the past three seasons, the Chiefs' rank in yards per play has steadily declined from first (2022) to ninth (2023) and 24th (2024). While there are several compounding factors, what's clear is they need an infusion of young talent on the offensive side of the ball, similar to what they got out of the 2022 NFL draft on the defensive side.
With all that in mind, here's another look at how the 2025 NFL draft could shake out for Kansas City.
31. UNC RB Omarion Hampton
A to Z Sports expected draft range: 25-71
There's a bit of a renaissance happening at the running back position in the NFL after Saquon Barkley lit the league on fire in 2024. If the Chiefs want one of the top running backs in the 2025 NFL draft, pick No. 31 might be the floor for acquiring one without a trade-up in Round 2. Ashton Jeanty is expected to go before the Chiefs come on the clock, and Hampton might not be too far behind him in Round 1. Kaleb Johnson, Quinshon Judkins, and TreVeyon Henderson might not make it to pick No. 63, but if Hampton were available at pick No. 31, Brett Veach would have to strongly consider the selection.
Yes, the Clyde Edwards-Helaire pick in 2020 turned out to be a failure, but that shouldn't dissuade the Chiefs from taking this swing. Right now, they have no long-term solution at the position, and an explosive player could completely change the dynamic of the offense. The 22-year-old Hampton has amassed 695 touches for 4,200 yards and 40 touchdowns over the past three seasons at North Carolina. His production in the passing game alone will appeal to Chiefs HC Andy Reid, as will his ability in pass protection.
Pairing a player like Hampton with Pacheco, Hunt, and Mitchell instantly gives the Chiefs one of the league's deepest and most versatile running back rooms. We know far too well just how much depth you need at that position to sustain success throughout a 17-game regular season. It could also take some pressure off the passing game and Patrick Mahomes because a player like Hampton will keep the defense honest.
63. Iowa State WR Jayden Higgins
A to Z Sports expected draft range: 48-113
If there's one thing the Chiefs' wide receiver room lacks heading into the 2025 NFL season, it's size. Higgins doesn't lack that at 6-foot-4, 214 pounds, with 33-inch arms. He's also not lacking for speed, athleticism, and explosion, boasting a 4.47s 40-yard dash, a 39-inch vertical, and a 128-inch broad jump.
The 22-year-old reminds me a lot of Marquez Valdes-Scantling in that he has the speed to threaten deep but also boasts some impressive suddenness and start-and-stop ability, given his size. This caught defenders by surprise at the college level, helping him to 140 receptions for 2,166 yards and 15 touchdowns over the past two seasons at Iowa State. His stats the two seasons prior at Eastern Kentucky weren't half bad either.
Sure, he can win the jump-ball matchups, but I don't think that's where his value lies in Kansas City or where he'll be used. He's the "X" receiver the offense has lacked for a while now. Pairing him alongside Xavier Worthy, Hollywood Brown, and Rashee Rice has immense appeal.
66. Tennessee DT Omarr Norman-Lott
A to Z Sports expected draft range: 55-126
Norman-Lott is one of the most intriguing evaluations in the 2025 NFL draft class. At 6-foot-2 and 295 pounds, he's considered a bit undersized for the defensive interior. Yet, he's surprisingly powerful and effective against the run, despite limited snaps over his past two seasons with the Vols. That lack of snaps doesn't say as much about Norman-Lott as it does the depth of the Tennessee defensive line.
Norman-Lott's ability as a pass rusher is where he starts to turn heads. His relentlessness in getting after the quarterback shows up on tape, but the advanced metrics like pass-rush win rate (18.9%) rank him as one of the top interior pass-rushers in this draft class, if not the past several draft classes. He's someone who can help offset the Chiefs' loss of Tershawn Wharton in free agency. In college, he's proven to be a player who can consistently win his one-on-one matchups and create severe chaos in the opponent's offensive backfield. Pair him alongside an established veteran like Chris Jones, and reap the rewards.
95. Oregon TE Terrance Ferguson
A to Z Sports expected draft range: 65-143
One of the biggest challenges to eventually replacing Travis Kelce will be finding someone who can produce after the catch as he does. At 6-foot-5 and 247 pounds, Ferguson averaged nine yards after the catch per reception in 2024. He's been compared to Kelce in the pre-draft process and turned some heads with his performance at the 2025 NFL Scouting Combine. He's also coming off his best season at Oregon, with 43 catches for 591 yards and three touchdowns. Kansas City shouldn't hesitate to select him if he's available with this pick on Day 2.
132. SMU EDGE Elijah Roberts
If the Chiefs miss out on an early-round edge rusher, Roberts feels like the perfect Day 3 pivot for Kansas City. At a hair under 6-foot-4 and 285 pounds, Roberts played up and down the defensive line for SMU in 2024, but he projects as a 4-3 defensive end with some usage in Steve Spagnuolo's famed NASCAR packages. He has great power but also plays very smartly and savvyly in response to what opposing offenses are doing on a given play. He's produced 24 tackles for loss, 17.5 sacks, and four forced fumbles over the past two seasons with the Mustangs.
226. Rutgers DT Kyonte Hamilton
The Chiefs have shown some interest in Hamilton between meeting with him at the Hula Bowl and again at the Rutgers Pro Day. Listed at 6-foot-3 and 305 pounds, Hamilton is a disruptive interior defender who can play multiple positions on the defensive interior. He has a lethal first step, which shows on tape, but was also apparent by his 1.7s 10-yard split. His hand-fighting and balance are also something to behold, which likely stems from his wrestling background as a two-time NHSCA national champion.
251. BYU OT Caleb Etienne
I think the offensive tackle prospects in this draft class do not particularly enthrall the Chiefs' decision-makers. They've brought in many toolsy, late-round types for pre-draft visits, including Etienne, an undervalued prospect given his size (6-foot-7, 329 pounds, 36-inch arms), athleticism, and accolades. He allowed just three sacks and 24 total pressures in 447 pass-blocking snaps in 2024. He has experience playing both tackle positions and could suffice as a swing tackle for Kansas City in Year 1, potentially working behind Jaylon Moore on the left side. If he's anything less than that once you get him in the building, you can always add a free agent veteran like D.J. Humphries or Donovan Smith.
257. Tulane CB Micah Robinson
While NFL teams love Pro Day and NFL Combine workouts, they are becoming more reliant on in-game athleticism metrics. Robinson is a player flying well under the radar in this draft class, but maybe he shouldn't be. He caught some attention after running an official 4.38s 40-yard dash at his pro day, but his in-game verified speed is just as impressive.
Robinson is coming off a standout senior season with the Green Wave, boasting 33 total tackles, one forced fumble, two interceptions, and six passes broken up. He projects as a multi-phase special teamer and cornerback depth in his first season in the league, which is the exact type of prospect the Chiefs will be looking for in their Mr. Irrelevant pick.
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