Kansas City Chiefs Draft Predictions for 2021

Kansas City heads into the 2021 NFL Draft in an envious position as the odds-on favorite to win Super Bowl 56.

Patrick Mahomes is locked in and surrounded by playmakers at every level, and the front office addressed some of the holes during free agency.

However, there are still a few glaring needs that need to be tended to.

Andy Reid hopes to uncover a potent edge rusher, and he’d like to find a wide receiver who’s ready to play from day one. More than anything, this team needs a makeover at offensive tackle.

Let’s dive into a full list of Chiefs draft predictions and see where the chips could fall.

We all remember the lack of protection Patrick Mahomes experienced in the Super Bowl versus the Bucs.

Three newcomers (Joe Thuney, Kyle Long, and Austin Blythe) solidify the interior of the offensive line but both starting tackles were released.

Letting Eric Fisher and Mitchell Schwartz walk out of the door indicates that the 31^st pick will be utilized on an offensive tackle.

Having said that, few OTs in the 021 class have more upside than Michigan’s Jalen Mayfield.

The progression we saw out of Mayfield during his two seasons in Ann Arbor was promising. He’s still raw (won’t turn 21 until May 23^rd), but he’s got everything a GM looks for in a franchise tackle.

Jalen can slide in at either right or left tackle and immediately upgrade the protection scheme in KC.

The burden of Sammy Watkins’ departure doesn’t have to fall onto the shoulders of Demarcus Robinson and Mecole Hardman.

Dyami Brown could be a dangerous weapon for Patrick Mahomes blended into an offense that’s built around Travis Kelce and Tyreek Hill.

Over 1,000 yards receiving in both his sophomore and junior seasons at UNC, Dyami’s big-play ability was on full display in Chapel Hill. Case in point – Brown has amassed 20 touchdown catches since the start of 2019 averaging a shade over 20 yards/reception.

Talk about a match made in heaven, nobody likes to air out the deep ball more than Mahomes.

Dyami Brown had a 18.4-yard average depth of target last season Highest in college football (min. 60+ targets)April 9, 2021

On top of his proficiency as a downfield threat, the former Tar Heel WR isn’t afraid to work the middle of the middle or dig in as a blocker. Look for Brett Veach to turn in his card early if Brown is available at pick #63.

Here comes another University of Michigan product marching his way into Kansas City. Ironically, Jalen Mayfield and Cameron McGrone were born just one day apart.

Drafting McGrone and developing him into the MIKE role in Steve Spagnuolo’s defense makes a ton of sense.

For starters, there is not a lot of depth at linebacker on Kansas City’s current roster. Secondly, the Chiefs are nearing the end of Anthony Hitchens’ bloated contract (UFA in 2022).

In search of an emerging middle linebacker who is suited for a 4-3 base, Cameron McGrone seems to be an ideal fit.

The 20-year-old prospect is a sure-handed tackler who flashed his ability to quickly diagnose plays as one of the ringleaders of the Wolverines defense.

Strapped with explosive closing speed and motor that never turns off, I reckon it wouldn’t take Cameron long to surge up the Chiefs LB depth chart.

If Kansas City makes it out of the first two days without plucking a pass rusher off the board, you can bet your bottom dollar that one of their early picks on day 3 will be aimed in that direction.

With the starting left defensive end spot currently up for grabs, Rashad Weaver can slide in and provide a presence off the edge.

Coming off a knee injury that kept him sidelined for all of 2019, Weaver popped in 2020 with 7.5 sacks (14 tackles for loss) in nine games with the Panthers.

Rashad’s potential to progress into an every-down defensive end is palpable.

Next up in this Chiefs mock draft is a version of KC adding depth behind Chris Jones in the interior of the trenches.

Darius Stills is a powerful DT who charges through gaps with authority. He had no problem penetrating past competent offensive linemen in the Big 12 using a combination of brute force and hand stunts.

Staying in the Big 12 for the next selection, Rodarius Williams profiles as a solid cornerback prospect who can help round out the Chiefs collection of CBs.

Keep in mind, Charvarius Ward becomes an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season and Bashaud Breeland was let go. Rashad Fenton is a former 6th-round pick that KC is only committing $850k to in 2021.

A starter since his freshman year in Stillwater, the older brother of Browns CB Greedy Williams possesses good length and easily holds his ground when battling for position for balls in the air. 

With Damien Williams now in Chicago and Le’Veon Bell still searching for work, day 3 of the draft is a good time to find a secondary option to share duties with CEH in the backfield.

The more you watch Jermar Jefferson on tape, the easier it is to slide him up the running back rankings for the 2021 Draft. In 27 games at Oregon State, Jefferson racked up 2,923 rushing yards and 27 rushing touchdowns demonstrating his capabilities of being a three-down workhorse.

Just another toy for Eric Bieniemy to script into the game plan.

Finalizing these Chiefs draft predictions is a talented safety who helped anchor one of the best secondaries in college football a season ago.

Cincinnati ranked 3^rd in the FBS with 16 interceptions – Darrick Forrest was responsible for two of those INTs and would offer Kansas City a ton of flexibility in the back end.

Three of the four safeties (including Tyrann Mathieu) on the KC roster are set to become free agents at the end of 2021.

As much as Patrick Mahomes wants another dynamic pass-catcher to integrate into the offense, latching onto an attacking offensive tackle is more critical.

The good news is the organization can take care of both of those needs with their first two selections. That will open the door to aggressively seek out defenders on the third day of the draft.

Throw in a multi-purpose RB and Kansas City will be well on their way to reaching their third consecutive Super Bowl.

To check in on what some of the other AFC teams are planning, peruse the links below showcasing more NFL team mocks.