Kansas City Chiefs Final NFL Draft Grades 2024: Xavier Worthy, Jared Wiley Bolster Offense Led by Patrick Mahomes
Kansas City Chiefs general manager Brett Veach during the NFL combine at the Indiana Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Eyeing a three-peat, were Andy Reid, Patrick Mahomes, and the Kansas City Chiefs able to take a step closer to another Super Bowl with their haul in the 2024 NFL Draft?
Let’s take a closer look at their NFL Draft grades for the 2024 cycle, and see how they performed.
Kansas City Chiefs 2024 NFL Draft Grades
Round 1, Pick 28: Xavier Worthy, WR, Texas
After biding their time, the Kansas City Chiefs traded up to the 28th overall pick to select Xavier Worthy.
It seemed like a foregone conclusion that Worthy would go in Round 1 after breaking the NFL Combine 40-yard dash record with a time of 4.21. The only question was where he’d go. Now, in a not-so-surprising development, it’s Andy Reid who makes a move to secure the elite speed threat.
Speed is where it starts for Worthy, but that’s far from where it ends. Worthy has game-breaking ability on the vertical plane, but he’s also a deadly route runner with the nuance, stride freedom, throttle control, and bend to blend defensive backs on all kinds of route concepts.
MORE: NFL Draft Grades 2024: Analysis and Grades for All 7 Rounds of the 2024 NFL Draft
The only potential knock is that with Marquise “Hollywood” Brown and Worthy in the same WR group, size and play strength could be issues. But Worthy has bone-chilling upside in Reid’s scheme with his vertical ability and RAC value, and given Rashee Rice’s uncertainty, this move makes even more sense.
Grade: A
Round 2, Pick 63: Kingsley Suamataia, OT, BYU
The Chiefs had the 64th overall pick, but they chose to make a slight trade up to ensure they got their guy. And with the 63rd overall pick, they selected BYU offensive tackle Kingsley Suamataia.
Suamataia entered the 2023 season with room to improve his hand usage and balance, particularly in pass protection. He left the season with those same concerns. But the flashes of synergy are there. He’s a mauler in the run game, and the tools are tantalizing.
At 6’5”, 326 pounds, with over 34” arms, Suamataia is an absolute powerhouse, and his 5.04 40-yard dash (with a 1.73 10-yard split) reflects his explosiveness off the line and his range in space. He has left-right versatility, but with some more polish, he can grow to become the Chiefs’ starter at left tackle.
Grade: A
Round 4, Pick 131: Jared Wiley, TE, TCU
Folks, you might be looking at the successor to Travis Kelce. Jared Wiley was a top-100 prospect and a top-three TE on my board, and he ended up falling to the Chiefs.
Wiley is an incredibly smooth, fluid, and explosive athlete at 6’6”, 250 pounds, with alignment versatility and value as a seam threat, RAC weapon, and force in the red zone. This is a dream Andy Reid fit, but a nightmare for the NFL.
Grade: A+
Round 4, Pick 133: Jaden Hicks, S, Washington State
The Chiefs quietly have a long-term need at safety, with Justin Reid scheduled to be a free agent in 2025.
Jaden Hicks helps to hedge for that need, while also providing value as a box safety early on. Hicks was a top-75 prospect on my board. At his size, he’s explosive, rangy, extremely physical, and quietly has the coverage variability to fulfill a multitude of roles.
Grade: A+
Round 5, Pick 159: Hunter Nourzad, C, Penn State
This is a savvy pick by the Chiefs, who have a lot of money tied up in various assets. Creed Humphrey, the team’s all-league center, is due for an extension in 2025. Odds are, they’ll find a way to keep him — but if they don’t, Hunter Nourzad is a fringe top-100 talent with the football IQ, technical prowess, functional athleticism, and play strength to carry the torch.
Grade: A
Round 5, Pick 173: Kamal Hadden, CB, Tennessee
With the 211th pick, the Chiefs finally dipped into a position group that many expected them to address after the trade of L’Jarius Sneed. Late in the draft, Kamal Hadden is very much worth the gamble.
At 6’1”, 192 pounds, he fits Steve Spagnuolo’s size thresholds, and though he’s not an elite athlete, he’s a smooth mover in zone and side-saddle, an able and physical man coverage defender, and a natural playmaker at the catch point, who logged three INTs in 2023.
Grade: B+
Round 7, Pick 248: C.J. Hanson, OL, Holy Cross
With their final pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, the Chiefs added more interior offensive line depth with Holy Cross’ C.J. Hanson. Hanson has room to add more mass to his frame and reach NFL play strength, but he’s an elite athlete with the testing numbers to back it up, who started 38 games at right guard with the Crusaders.
Grade: B+
Chiefs’ NFL Draft Summary?
Once again, Brett Veach put on a masterclass of playing the board and added droves of talent in the process. Worthy is the gem of the class, but Wiley could legitimately be a successor to Kelce on offense, and Suamataia is a starting tackle in waiting.
KEEP READING: 2024 NFL Draft Complete Results, Recap, Order, and All 257 Picks
On defense, Hicks can be a difference-maker at safety with his range and physicality, and all of the Chiefs’ other moves were savvy ones, to solidify depth and long-term security. The Chiefs build through the draft, and this class was just a continuation of that.
Final Grade: A
Looking for everything you need surrounding the 2024 NFL Draft? Make sure to check out the latest draft results, overall team grades, and updated best remaining players available at every position!