Chiefs Draft: Which prospects could benefit from a redshirt season?

Main into the NFL Draft, we’ll develop totally different mock draft eventualities and what the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs ought to do in response to these conditions. These aren’t predictions on what we predict will occur, however what could be the fitting plan of action ought to the precise circumstance play out.

Mock drafts are sometimes primarily based on every group’s present wants for the approaching season. However we hardly ever take into consideration what occurs past a participant’s rookie season — and we must always. In any case, a draft choice represents a 4 or five-year core funding. Typically a group doesn’t count on a lot from a drafted participant throughout their rookie season, however is anticipating higher manufacturing throughout the remainder of their rookie contract.

So let’s take into account 4 prospects who may not give the Chiefs a lot assist in 2025 — however with a redshirt yr to develop and develop, may turn out to be precious contributors in 2026 and past.

Spherical 1 (31): CB Trey Amos, Mississippi

The Chiefs ought to be ok with their beginning cornerbacks, however there are some questions past the approaching season. It’s very seemingly Trent McDuffie will likely be given a contract extension, however Jaylen Watson will most likely turn out to be a free agent — and given his harm historical past, Kristian Fulton may simply be launched to save lots of $5 million in cap house. Drafting Amos may give the group some insurance coverage for 2026.

As an older prospect, the 23-year-old would possibly play instantly — and to his credit score, I believe he may. Among the many cornerbacks more likely to be out there at 31, he’s my favourite. The others are Benjamin Morrison of Notre Dame and Shavon Revel Jr. of East Carolina. Revel simply turned 24 and is coming off an ACL harm. The 21-year-old Morrison is the higher guess when it comes to age, however has had a number of hip accidents; there are questions on how he recovers athletically.

Amos is finest in in zone protection, the place his pace, ball abilities and instincts to sink on routes are huge benefits — however he can even thrive in man protection. Whereas he isn’t tremendous lengthy or bodily, he does have fast, fluid ft to match releases and routes.

In 2024, Kansas Metropolis performed extra quarters coverages — the place Amos could be nice — however since he can even play in man coverages, he’s a terrific scheme match for any protection. That’s very true for defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo’s versatile scheme.

Spherical 2 (63): TE Mason Taylor, LSU

It often takes years to develop an NFL tight finish, so it’s essential to amass one earlier than Travis Kelce retires. I believe it’s higher to get with elite receiving traits — a harder-to-find skillset — however who nonetheless wants extra power growth. Taylor suits that invoice.

A clean athlete who can use his agility to create separation from defenders, Taylor doesn’t lose pace on his cuts. Whereas he isn’t a really explosive route runner, he can nonetheless win on any route over the center of the sector. Taylor has the instincts to seek out holes in zone protection and open house on scramble drills — and may beat man protection, too.

The issue is that Taylor wants loads of work as a blocker. LSU did its finest to maintain him out of their operating sport — as a result of when he was requested to dam, it hardly ever went effectively. If Taylor by no means needed to block, he’d be a top-50 prospect.

However this doesn’t imply he’ll by no means have the ability to do it. He would possibly simply want just a few years to enhance his blocking. Taylor has simply turned 21 — and at 6 ft 5 and 250 kilos, he has the body to get stronger. He may use a redshirt rookie season to mould his physique into what he’ll want within the NFL.

Spherical 3 (66): S Andrew Mukaba, Texas

In 2026, Bryan Cook dinner will likely be a free agent — and I’d love Mukaba as his substitute.

He isn’t a Cook dinner clone. As an alternative, he’s a quarters security who’s elite within the field and triggering downhill on runs. A fantastic tackler and run-support participant, he does have some limitations in protection — however because the Chiefs transition to a quarters protection, Mukaba would match proper in.

With Mukaba alongside Jaden Hicks, Kansas Metropolis would have two large, athletic, explosive safeties who can sort out in house and blow up runs. I’d love watching that.

Spherical 3 (95): DT Joshua Farmer, Florida State

Whereas the Chiefs want defensive tackles in 2025, I chosen a undertaking participant who wants growth for this train.

In 2024, Florida State was a large number, going 2-10. The group’s gamers weren’t well-developed (and the vibe was poor from the beginning), so it’s exhausting to glean an excessive amount of from the tape.

Nonetheless, Farmer confirmed high-level traits. He has elite size, first rate dimension and a dynamic first step that lets him get into the backfield. Whereas he has some pass-rushing juice, he can even defend in opposition to the run.

Earlier than he can turn out to be an NFL starter, although, Farmer wants higher pad stage and extra instruments in his pass-rushing bag — however he has the traits to turn out to be a high-impact defender. He simply wants time to develop.