Projecting roles for the Chiefs’ 2024 draft category

The last 12 months, i attempted my greatest to venture the 2023 NFL Draft class for the Chiefs and the roles they'd function beginners. This year, I'm doing that once more for the 2024 class. Now that the Chiefs have used __ picks within the 2024 NFL Draft, let's challenge their roles as beginners;

round 1, decide on 28: wide receiver Xavier worthy

As a rookie, I suppose looking at Mecole Hardman's rookie 12 months is a pretty good start. Hardman mainly made his impact on manufactured touches and vertical routes, which important should be lots more suitable at than even Hardman was. beneficial has a deeper bag than that, but as he transitions to the NFL, Andy Reid is going to take it sluggish with him.

With Hollywood Brown in the fold, they could take worthy's development slightly slower than they were afforded for Rashee Rice. He'll particularly play in the slot and be utilized in definite programs, however along with his pace and dynamic potential, he'll have an rapid influence. as the year goes on, you hope he picks up extra of the playbook and might add more to it. Brown does have a heritage of lacking video games, so having precious around makes it so the Chiefs can proceed to stretch the field besides the fact that he's injured.

round 2, pick sixty three: offensive address Kingsley Suamataia

Suamataia's actual function comes right down to even if the Chiefs make a decision to signal a veteran left address or now not. Suamataia gets a yr to redshirt and be trained under Andy Heck in the event that they re-sign Donovan Smith or signal someone else. If I have been operating the Chiefs, that might be my plan. whereas I'm incredibly high on Suamataia long-time period, i might be very fearful of him starting instantly.

If the Chiefs don't signal a veteran, it is a exhibit of confidence in Suamataia or Wanya Morris. they'd each compete at left address. If Suamataia improves on the technical weaknesses of the online game and picks up the playbook, I think he may be more gifted than Morris, and he could win the job. If Morris wins, he'd be the backup and have that redshirt year. Regardless, there aren't many dangerous consequences with Suamataia. either he picks up the playbook and hits the floor running as a rookie or receives positive journey studying the way to play left address for 2025.

circular four, decide upon 131: tight end Jared Wiley

Wiley's position is convenient to undertaking as a result of his ability set fits the Chiefs' accurate want: an inline (Y) tight conclusion. earlier than taking Wiley, the Chiefs didn't have that on the roster. Wiley has some work to do to be a pretty good blocker for an inline tight conclusion, however the flashes on film had been there. he is an intelligent blocker and has a lot of size. He can stretch the seams and run an intermediate route tree as a receiver.

In 2022, probably the most motives the Chiefs had success in their 13 personnel applications changed into Jody Fortson's potential to win downfield. When he became injured remaining season, that role went to Blake Bell, who became a complete nonthreat and didn't have to be defended at all. This was a purpose the executive's 13 personnel efficiency cratered. With Wiley, the hope is he can also be impactful as a receiver early sufficient to repair these 2022 numbers. I think he should still be in a position to fill that need and outproduce Bell with no trouble.

circular four, prefer 133: protection Jaden Hicks

Hicks become my excellent-ranked safety in this type, however I'm curious to look what the plan with him in 2024 is. To me, Hicks's skillset resembles how the crew uses Justin Reid. He's surest at matching tight ends in man insurance and the usage of his range in open space. He's a good tackler with the ball abilities and dimension to play within the slot. Like Reid, his agility limits the work he can do playing deep, however his explosiveness and athleticism stand out closer to the line of scrimmage.

For 2024, when you consider that the Chiefs have Reid, cook dinner, and Charmarri Connor already, Hicks is doubtless competing for a third protection role at highest quality. He could beat Connor probably, however i was impressed adequate by means of Connor to provide him a shot at that spot. Hicks is also redundant with Reid on the roster. but with Reid best below contract for another 12 months, Hicks stands out as the ultimate redshirt for 2025. For 2024, I could see special teams and limited snaps being his main role.

circular 5, select 159: middle Hunter Nourzad

before this weekend, the Chiefs had eight offensive linemen on the roster, so the Chiefs obligatory depth, certainly on the indoors offensive line. Nourzad offers that. Nourzad played middle in 2023 but did have shelter adventure for Penn State in 2022 as neatly. He could profile as the competencies Nick Allegretti replacement long-time period as the swing piece on the interior. He's pretty much assuredly a lock to make the roster.

round 6, prefer 211: cornerback Kamal Hadden

Hadden primarily performed out broad at Tennessee, however his lack of size in the NFL may push him to the slot. The Chiefs don't always have a backup slot to Trent McDuffie on the roster already, however there are alternatives there. Nazeeh Johnson profiles as a person who can play within the slot, and with Hicks on board, there is a chance Charmarri Connor gets greater work in those spots.

the key for Hadden might be particular teams. If he makes the roster, that'll be his largest have an impact on. He'll compete with Nic Jones, Johnson and others for those fringe roster spots.

circular 7, choose 248: take care of C.J. Hanson

Even after Nourzad, the Chiefs necessary more depth on the offensive line. Hanson provides that. Hanson has years of event taking part in correct protect, so there's an opportunity the Chiefs will view him as a possible Trey Smith substitute in the future, but for now, he's a good defend depth for the crew. Like Nourzad, I'd be bowled over if Hanson doesn't make the roster, given how skinny the Chiefs are on the offensive line.

favourite undrafted free agent: linebacker Curtis Jacobs

I had a fourth-circular grade on Jacobs and liked his movie and profile. At 240 lbs., Jacobs has a ton of explosiveness and range. He's rangy in insurance and may run the pole, however he also excels as a blitzer and works downhill. The Chiefs have had loads of success with linebackers like that these days, above all with Willie gay and Leo Chenal. shielding coordinator Steve Spagnuolo works neatly with those kinds of linebackers, and that i could see Jacobs being that classification of player lengthy-term.

He'll need to work on special teams and beat out either Cam Jones or Cole Christiansen for roster spots, but from what I noticed on film, I believe he can do this and make this roster. I'm excited for what I believe he can develop into long-term.