Chiefs and the ‘The Beast’: Left tackles, pass rushers and a Travis Kelce understudy?

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NFL Draft season doesn’t begin each year until we reach “Beast Day,” the annual release of Dane Brugler’s must-read draft guide.

The Athletic’s draft guru, Brugler outdid himself in this year’s edition of “The Beast,” with rankings for almost 2,700 prospects and more than 400 in-depth player profiles.

The Chiefs, no longer the league’s reigning champions, have retained much of their strong defensive unit from last season. The team’s biggest acquisition in free agency was signing Jaylon Moore to a two-year deal to be the projected starting left tackle and protect Patrick Mahomes’ blind side. But if the Chiefs want to continue their dynastic run, they’ll once again need another strong draft class to strengthen the roster and stay atop the AFC.

Two weeks ago, we published a Chiefs big board. With 73 players on their roster before the draft, the Chiefs’ top three positions of need are pretty clear — defensive lineman, offensive tackle and running back.

This year, the Chiefs have eight draft picks, including two in the third round and four in the top 100. This is the perfect time to use “The Beast” to gain better insight into which prospects appear to be the best fit for the team’s roster.

With a Chiefs view of Brugler’s guide in mind, here are five takeaways:

Don’t expect the Chiefs to draft a left tackle prospect in the first round

We have to remember that one of the wildest statistics of the Chiefs’ dynasty is this: They have started a different left tackle in each of their five Super Bowl appearances over the last six years. They will have a different left tackle to start Week 1 in 2025, too. But looking at the prospects at the position this year, it’s even more understandable why the Chiefs signed Moore in free agency.

Just six left tackles earned a first- or second-round grade from Brugler — and some of them better fit a zone-heavy scheme. Three of the top four prospects at the position — Will Campbell (LSU), Armand Membou (Missouri) and Josh Conerly Jr. (Oregon) — are not expected to be available for the Chiefs, especially if the team doesn’t trade up from the 31st pick.

The Chiefs’ best option on Day 1 is likely Ohio State’s Josh Simmons, who might fall because of the non-contact knee injury that ended his final college season in October. When healthy, though, he is a quality pass blocker.

“Simmons is a nimble, coordinated pass protector with tremendous athletic poise and the body control to be a long-term starting left tackle in the NFL,” Brugler wrote. “His pro projection hinges on medical feedback.”

Plenty of running back options for Day 2 and beyond

The Chiefs need a young, dynamic running back to pair with starter Isiah Pacheco to boost their rushing attack. Mahomes accounted for 72.5 percent of the offense’s yards last season, the most of any NFL quarterback. Another reason the Chiefs should consider selecting a running back, perhaps as early as Day 2 of the draft, is that they don’t have a capable player at the position under contract for 2026.

Keep this 2024 quote from general manager Brett Veach in mind when considering running back prospects: “If you’re a running back for Coach (Andy) Reid, it’s a lot of fun because you have to be a better receiver than a runner to play in his offense. Brian Westbrook was the pinnacle.”

Georgia running back Trevor Etienne, the younger brother of Travis, who plays for the Jacksonville Jaguars, offers plenty of speed and versatility.

“Large, accepting hands as a receiving target — rarely let a pass hit the ground,” Brugler wrote of Etienne.

Other prospects such as Omarion Hampton (North Carolina), Quinshon Judkins (Ohio State), D.J. Giddens (Kansas State) and Bhayshul Tuten (Virginia Tech) could all improve the Chiefs’ rushing attack and be available on Day 2.

Spagnuolo likely has his eye on these pass rush prospects

Steve Spagnuolo, the longtime defensive coordinator, loves tall, strong, versatile defensive linemen. The Chiefs have players that fit that description in Chris Jones, George Karlaftis, Charles Omenihu, Jerry Tillery and Janarius Robinson. But only Jones and Karlaftis are on the team’s salary-cap sheet for 2026. The Chiefs should prioritize adding youth and dynamic athleticism to their pass rush this year.

Interestingly, Brugler’s 31st prospect is Walter Nolen, the talented defensive tackle from Ole Miss who offers flashes as a pass rusher.

“With his length and surge off the ball, Nolen creates immediate force and can be a play-wrecker with how quickly he penetrates gaps (the type of leverage that creates holding calls),” Brugler wrote. “Nolen has areas of his game that require maturing, but he flashes big-time disruption in his initial burst and fast, physical hands to regularly affect the backfield action. He will be attractive for NFL teams looking for an active gap-shooter with high-end upside.”

Brugler believes Ohio State defensive end JT Tuimoloau doesn’t have any major deficiencies, which sounds similar to a few years ago with Karlaftis.

“He has a terrific motor and should continue developing his shed timing to improve his run fits,” Brugler wrote of Tuimoloau. “He is one of the most well-rounded defensive prospects in the class.”

At age 20, Texas A&M defensive end Nic Scourton could be one of the most appealing options in the second round.

“A thickly built, high-motor rusher, Scourton is quick to shoot his hands, create force and walk blockers into the pocket, but the next step in his development will be diversifying his attack by setting up counters and stacking moves,” Brugler wrote. “His hustle also stands out in the run game and directly leads to production (29 tackles for loss over his last 23 games).”

A pair of tight ends who could fit as Kelce’s understudy

On Day 2, the Chiefs could be in the range to select a tight end. A prospect such as Elijah Arroyo of Miami could spend his rookie season learning from future Hall of Famer Travis Kelce, who could retire after the 2025 season. Last season, 71.4 percent of Arroyo’s 35 receptions resulted in a first down or touchdown. His top speed was 21.8 mph. Just six NFL players had a higher max ball-carrier speed in 2024, according to Next Gen Stats.

The Chiefs have also spent time getting to know Bowling Green’s Harold Fannin Jr. Fanning set school single-season records for catches (117) and receiving yards (1,555). He was the first consensus All-American in Bowling Green history.

“With his strong hands and urgent athleticism, Fannin is at his best as a pass catcher and shows a unique feel for creating as a ball carrier,” Brugler wrote. “He is still very young — and it shows, especially in his blocking and route running. Overall, Fannin is somewhat of an unconventional prospect.”

We’ve identified our ‘Below the Mason-Dixon line’ cornerbacks

The Chiefs are almost always in the market to add a cornerback. Since 2018, when Veach began leading the Chiefs draft efforts, the team has selected plenty of cornerbacks who either grew up in a state or played for a college that is below the Mason-Dixon line — L’Jarius Sneed, Joshua Williams, Jaylen Watson, Rashad Fenton, Thakarius Keyes and Kamal Hadden.

After reviewing “The Beast,” these are the cornerbacks who fit the traits the Chiefs covet (long, fast and athletic), their play style (press man-to-man) and who are from the south — Maxwell Hairston (Kentucky), Trey Amos (Ole Miss), Dorian Strong (Louisville), Caleb Ransaw (Tulane), Zy Alexander (LSU), BJ Adams (UCF) and Jason Marshall Jr. (Florida).

Don’t be surprised if one of them winds up in Kansas City later this month.

(Photo of Walter Nolen: Matt Pendleton / Imagn Images)

This news was originally published on this post .

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