The Kansas City Chiefs have completed Day 1 of the 2024 NFL draft, adding Texas WR Xavier Worthy in a slight trade-up with the Buffalo Bills.
Many talented prospects remain available on both sides of the ball at several position groups as Day 2 gets underway. The team is set to make just one pick on Day 2 at No. 64 (second round) after they traded with Buffalo.
Here are the best available players remaining at each position (except for quarterback) for the Chiefs:
No running backs were selected in Round 1 of the 2024 NFL draft, leaving this as one of the most talented groups on Day 2. The Chiefs don't have a strong need at this position with Isiah Pacheco as the starter, but they could certainly use a change-of-pace back to pair with Pacheco and Clyde Edwards-Helaire. Brett Veach said ahead of the draft that there isn't a strong depth of talent at this position group, so they might target the position before Day 2 is complete.
Kansas City already addressed its needs by trading up to select WR Xavier Worthy in Round 1, but they can really put the heat on their wide receiver room to perform by taking another player with a top-100 draft pick.
The Chiefs have done a lot of homework on the tight end class ahead of the 2024 NFL draft. While this might not be considered a position of need so long as Travis Kelce is in the fold, it's clear the team is thinking about the future of the position after the future Hall of Famer rides off into the sunset with Taylor Swift.
Chiefs HC Andy Reid and GM Brett Veach both indicated that competition for Wanya Morris is coming at the left tackle position. It's much more difficult to find suitable candidates to play the position once you get into Day 2. Some prospects are remaining that could give Morris a run for his money or at least develop into a decent swing tackle.
The Chiefs are completely depleted in terms of interior offensive line depth after the departure of Nick Allegretti in free agency. He was a trusted backup at all three interior positions. Consider the fact that Creed Humphrey and Trey Smith are also in contract years and you can take it to the bank that the interior offensive line is on the menu for Kansas City starting on Day 2 (and possibly again on Day 3).
There are a lot of cooks in the kitchen for Kansas City when it comes to their pass rush. After back-to-back years with first-round selections (George Karlaftis and Felix Anudike-Uzomah), don't expect this position to be high on their priority list.
The Chiefs made re-signing their interior defensive line a priority during the offseason, but they still don't have many multi-year contracts at the position (Chris Jones & Neil Farrell Jr.) They could add another run-stuffing defensive tackle with a run-heavy offense now in the AFC West (Chargers). They could also add a pass-rushing defensive tackle to spell Chris Jones (and allow him to play on the edge with greater frequency).
The Chiefs are likely feeling good about their linebacker group after re-signing Drue Tranquill in free agency. They could add a player on Day 2 or Day 3, but I'd expect a signing or two in undrafted free agency to be the likelier scenario.
The Chiefs traded L'Jarius Sneed to the Titans this offseason. On one hand, it shows they're confident in their cornerback group without him. On the other hand, there's the old NFL adage: You can never have too many cornerbacks.
The Chiefs have a competitive and deep safety room. Even with S Justin Reid entering the final year of his contract, I'd be surprised to see them draft a safety until the later rounds. That is, of course, unless they're a player who can also play nickel.
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