The Kansas City Chiefs failed to complete their aspirations of becoming the first team in NFL history to three-peat after losing to the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LIX.
It was an ugly loss and performance by the Chiefs, and the defeat exposed Kansas City’s weaknesses on both sides of the ball, specifically the offensive line.
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It was the second Super Bowl loss for Patrick Mahomes in which the protection was below-average, leading to terrible execution and the 29-year-old quarterback forcing the issue.
Mahomes did not help matters with two costly interceptions – one returned for a touchdown by Cooper Dejean – but the overall gameplan and scheme left the quarterback without answers.
With multiple notable players entering free agency – Trey Smith, Nick Bolton, and Justin Reid – Travis Kelce’s future up in the air, $11 million in cap space, and only six total draft picks in 2025, the Chiefs have a long offseason in front of them.
It is monumental that Brett Veach and Kansas City’s front office orchestrate a plan through free agency and the draft to maintain a championship-caliber roster.
Let’s take a look at how the 2025 NFL Draft could play out for Kansas City with the current selections they possess.
31) Aireontae Ersery, OT, Minnesota
Left tackle has been a revolving door for the Chiefs the last few seasons, but the problem reared its ugly head in 2024 with Kingsley Suamataia, Wanya Morris, and D.J. Humphries rotating at the position throughout the season.
Joe Thuney would slide over from left guard as a placeholder in the latter part of this past season, but his transition to his unnatural position was gruesomely exposed against the Eagles. Thuney moving to left tackle left the guard position at a disadvantage with Mike Caliendo stepping in at the spot vacated by Thuney.
It is time for Kansas City to find a long-term solution at the left tackle position that will serve as a reliable blindside blocker for Mahomes.
Aireontae Ersery was a three-year starter at Minnesota, showcasing the ability to keep pass rushers at bay with his strong frame and long arms.
At 6’5″ and 339 pounds, Ersery is capable of developing into a very solid left tackle in the NFL. He tends to stay too upright with limited knee bend, but he is quick and possesses versatile pass-blocking techniques.
Because teams generally do not trade left tackles, especially in this case with other organizations not looking to help out Kansas City, the best-case scenario for the Chiefs is to find a left tackle through the draft process.
In addition to being a player that fills a major need along the offensive line, it is also important to note that Ersery is originally from Kansas City. His familiarity with the location could make for a smoother transition.
63) T.J. Sanders, DT, South Carolina
Pass rush was non-existent in the 40-22 loss to Philadelphia, and the heavy reliance on Chris Jones opening up lanes for his counterparts cannot be the formula each time the Chiefs rush with four.
With two first-round investments in recent memory on the edge — George Karlaftis (2022) and Felix Anudike-Uzomah (2024) — it is time to address the interior defensive line and alleviate some of the load off of Jones’ shoulders.
T.J. Sanders is a twitchy, strong athlete who can form an elite defensive tackle tandem with Jones. Both players can each win at the point of attack.
Playing alongside Jones would accelerate Sanders’ development and provide the Chiefs more push from the interior, opening up more opportunities for the edge rushers to create pressure consistently.
66) Kevin Winston Jr., S, Penn State
With Justin Reid most likely departing in free agency and Bryan Cook entering the final season of his rookie contract, safety is something Kansas City’s front office will need to consider at some point in the draft.
Veach has a knack for identifying players at the cornerback and safety positions, and although he usually finds diamonds in the rough late in the draft, Kevin Winston Jr. is too good of a prospect to pass up in this spot.
Winston Jr. is a hard-hitting, versatile safety, who can play all over the field, showcasing his ability to play nickel safety and zone-slot coverage.
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The 6’2″, 205-pound safety was unable to play most of the 2024 season after partially tearing his ACL early in the campaign. However, in 2023, the former Penn State Nittany Lions safety led the team with 60 tackles (35 solo) two tackles for loss, two fumble recoveries, one interception, and five pass breakups in 13 starts.
Losing Reid may not be the end of the world if the Chiefs can land a similar prototype in Winston Jr.
95) Cam Skattebo, RB, Arizona State
It was evident Isiah Pacheco was not the same player and did not possess the same burst after fracturing his fibula in his right leg in week two.
The soon-to-be 26-year-old running back averaged only 3.7 yards per carry in the regular season and 2.8 yards in the playoffs.
Even with Kareem Hunt seemingly slowing down as the season progressed, Andy Reid and the coaching staff were reluctant to lean on Pacheco. Kansas City’s gameplan in the Super Bowl was telling, as the Chiefs refused to run the ball, which was not the correct process.
However, there was no use, as Pacheco and Hunt combined for 16 yards on six carries.
With a porous offensive line and a lack of a true RB1, the Chiefs’ offense sputtered, offering no offensive output when the game was still in the balance.
Cam Skattebo is a powerful runner at 5’11” and 215 pounds, while being a reliable pass-catching option out of the backfield.
In addition to rushing for 1,568 yards and 19 touchdowns, the former Arizona State running back caught 37 passes for 506 yards and three touchdowns in 2024.
Skattebo is a similar build to Pacheco but offers more power and versatility at this point.
Check out our full Cam Skattebo Scouting Report below
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168) Tyler Cooper, OG, Minnesota
As mentioned, Trey Smith is a free agent and could reset the offensive guard market, preventing the Chiefs from keeping his services.
Smith’s inevitable departure will leave a void at the right guard position. After drafting Minnesota’s left tackle, Kansas City will return to the well, taking Ersery’s college teammate, Tyler Cooper.
At 6’6″ and 310 pounds, Cooper possesses superior length for a guard. He utilizes that to his advantage, developing into an elite blocker in the passing and running game.
Pairing his physical ability with his cognitive and mental processing could help him come in right away and establish himself as a starter early on.
232) Caden Prieskorn, TE, Ole Miss
Kelce is clearly not the same player he was just a couple of years ago, and he seems to be considering retirement.
Noah Gray is a solid contributor, but nothing special, while Jared Wiley could become a lethal redzone threat, but neither player has established himself as a consistent threat.
Caden Prieskorn is another solid tight end, who can develop into something in this system with Mahomes at the helm.
Prieskorn’s ability to naturally catch and find the soft spots in zone coverage fits Mahomes’ ability to extend the play and expose those coverages. Also, the former Ole Miss Rebels tight end is a great blocker, which is something that was clearly lacking in Super Bowl LIX.
In this offensive scheme, Prieskorn’s catch radius and overall understanding in route-running and coverages could unlock his ceiling.
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