What happens if the Kansas City Chiefs' 2025 NFL Draft goes awry? 

The Chiefs only have a dozen first-round grades in this year's draft. Top needs and first-round draft targets are believed to be left tackle, defensive tackle, cornerback, edge, and wide receiver. These are basically all of the big-money positions that every team in the NFL is looking to improve. What if there's a run on the top players at each position in the 30 picks before Kansas City comes on the clock?

Just like Big Boi, Chiefs GM Brett Veach has got a backup plan to the backup plan. The team runs countless simulations and scenarios ahead of the NFL Draft each year to prepare for all the potential and possibilities in Round 1. If one team throws a left hook, they know exactly how they will bob and weave to avoid the punch. 

Considering all of that, who are some players who could be the perfect backup plan should things not go according to plan on Thursday night? Let's talk about it. . .

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Ohio State OL Donovan Jackson

If the Chiefs miss out on the surefire tackles who are often sent to them late in Round 1, such as Ohio State's Josh Simmons and Oregon's Josh Conerly Jr., Jackson seems like he could be a natural pivot. He's a bit of a guard-tackle tweener with 31 career starts at left guard and nine career starts at left tackle, including Ohio State's National Championship win last season. You might think he's a more natural fit at guard, but his team trusted him to play left tackle in that spot, which says a lot about his ability. He allowed two sacks in his first start at left tackle, going up against Penn State EDGE Abdul Carter, but that was it for Jackson. The thought behind this pick is that he creates competition and raises the floor at two offensive line positions, which are expected to have new starters in 2025. 

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UCLA LB Carson Schwesinger

The linebacker position is rapidly changing across the NFL, with lighter and faster players becoming the norm in the college game. Chiefs DC Steve Spagnuolo, however, still tends to prefer bigger linebackers, with most players on the roster weighing in at 230 pounds and up. Schwesigner is listed at 6-foot-3 and 242 pounds, but he moves like a player who is 20 pounds lighter. I've repeatedly said his downhill trigger is the best I've seen coming out in the draft since Luke Kuechly. He had a productive 2024 season with UCLA, boasting 136 tackles, four sacks, and two interceptions. As far as need goes, this would be more about the future than the present. Leo Chenal is a pending free agent in 2026, and the team can create $6 million in cap space if they release Drue Tranquill. 

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Notre Dame S Xavier Watts

This will probably be one of the more unpopular players on this list, but I don't understand how someone with 13 interceptions over the past two seasons doesn't have more hype. He started at Notre Dame as a wide receiver, then played linebacker. In the past three seasons playing safety, Watts has emerged as one of the most skilled defenders in college football when it comes to forcing takeaways. The 5-foot-11 and 204-pound safety didn't test well in the pre-draft process, but his instincts make up for any perceived lack of athleticism. He can play in the box, he can play two-high, he can play some single high as well. This would again be about the future regarding positional need, with Bryan Cook slated to become a free agent in 2026. Pair Watts with Jaden Hicks and you've got yourself a verified no fly zone in the secondary for the next three seasons. 

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Ohio State RB TreVeyon Henderson

Following yesterday's report about a virtual pre-draft call between Henderson and Andy Reid, there is certainly some buzz surrounding this one. I believe this pick ultimately hinges on Henderson being everything the Chiefs currently need at the running back position. He brings an explosive element to both the running and passing games. At 5-foot-10 and 202 pounds, he is a surprisingly effective pass-blocker. If all the top running backs and pass-catchers are gone, he has the potential to be the most impactful Year 1 offensive player the team could select, even with Isiah Pacheco and Kareem Hunt already on the roster. 

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More names to know: 

• Alabama LB Jihaad Campbell
• Georgia S Malaki Starks
• Ole Miss CB Trey Amos
• Michigan DT Kenneth Grant

Three bold Kansas City Chiefs 2025 NFL Draft predictions, including a surprising deviation from the norm for GM Brett Veach

A to Z Sports’ Charles Goldman shares his three bold predictions for the Kansas City Chiefs in the 2025 NFL Draft.