Chiefs Draft: KC Sticks To Their Trends On Days Two And Three

The Kansas City Chiefs ended up making six total selections between days two and three of the 2024 NFL Draft. On one hand, the Chiefs filled a few different team needs in this draft. But also, Kansas City stuck to their recent trends, while still letting the board fall to them with excellent value. After drafting an electric wide receiver in Xavier Worthy in round one, the Chiefs were able to instill more depth in key spots, while adding starting options for the future across the picks on Friday and Saturday.

In the end, Kansas City got the competition that they wanted at offensive tackle on day two. The Chiefs also got insurance and solid depth in this draft with other offensive line selections. Meanwhile, KC found tremendous options that fell lower than expected in the draft order, due to sticking to their draft board.

What do the draft picks from the Chiefs on days two and three signify? Plus, what could be the immediate expectation for the six names that Kansas City selected between Friday and Saturday? Let’s kick it off.

OT Kingsley Suamataia

BYU offensive tackle Kingsley Suamataia was an option that some believed the Chiefs could draft in round one. That includes myself, as I had Kansas City taking him in the first round in the final of our three Chiefs mock drafts. First and foremost, Suamataia will provide competition for Wanya Morris, who is entering his second season, in 2024. It is arguably anyone’s spot for the taking. Whoever can win that job for the starting spot at left tackle, it will be a major chance at protecting Patrick Mahomes‘ blindside.

All told, Kansas City loves the massive size and length of Suamataia. The Chiefs loved him in this draft, due to that prototypical frame needed at the NFL level. Elsewhere, the team mentioned how much they liked his light feet and solid athleticism with his larger frame. Suamataia is going to be viewed as the left tackle of the future for the Chiefs after this draft.

TE Jared Wiley

TCU tight end Jared Wiley may have been my personal favorite among the KC selections on day three. Everyone has debated if the Chiefs should use the draft to add size at wide receiver. However, getting a larger option at tight end should not hurt, either. As a bigger-bodied tight end, Wiley is a threat vertically. To boot, he has displayed the potential to be someone who can add plenty of yards after the catch. Wiley is fluid, when it comes to his routes and athleticism, especially at that size. Finally, he is not shy about being physical as a blocker.

The Chiefs have had plenty of success in recent years with multiple tight end sets. With the natural pass catching traits of Wiley, Kansas City could use those sets to frustrate opponents, once again. It would not be surprising if he is a noticeable pass catching option within the offense as a rookie. With Travis Kelce getting older and Noah Gray entering the final year of his rookie deal, Wiley provides KC with a fresh option, if necessary, in 2024. His play style makes him a perfect understudy beneath Kelce.

SAF Jaden Hicks

Washington State’s Jaden Hicks was viewed as a round two or three pick by some. As a result, the value here on day three was tremendous for the Chiefs. Hicks’ coverage skills and ball skills are tantalizing. But outside of that, the defensive back is versatile, being able to play all around the defensive formation. Hicks can also offer physicality, as well as instincts in coverage. He is just not going to get lost in space and can act as a pest for opposing offenses.

Those traits are items that the Chiefs have done wonders with in recent seasons at defensive back. All told, Hicks may stick at safety. However, with how Kansas City tinkers with their usage of defensive backs, he may even see some snaps in the slot or near the line of scrimmage. At some point, the Chiefs will use this draft pick as a do-it-all weapon.

OL Hunter Nourzad

You want more versatility? The Chiefs found that later on in the draft, taking offensive lineman Hunter Nourzad. Originally at Cornell University, Nourzad eventually transferred to Penn State. He most recently was a stout center for the Nittany Lions, producing very little mistakes, in terms of pressure allowed. But in his college career, Nourzad had starts at multiple positions upfront. This includes 20 games at right tackle, 13 games at center, seven games at left guard and a game at right guard.

That positional flexibility could be key for the Chiefs over the next couple of years. With Joe Thuney, Creed Humphrey and Trey Smith along the offensive interior, Kansas City faces contract questions in the near future. 2024 is the final year of the rookie deals for Humphrey and Smith. And even with Thuney, could he be looking to cash in one more time after consistent play? If the Chiefs cannot pay all of those guys, Nourzad is a valuable piece worth adding as insurance. This pick feels similar to that of Nick Allegretti, who stepped into multiple spots on the offensive line when called upon during his time in KC.

CB Kamal Hadden

Tennessee cornerback Kamal Hadden feels like a traditional type of Chiefs draft pick, based on their recent trends. They have been willing to bet on cornerbacks taken on day three to become hidden gems for them. And based on the play style of Hadden, there may be some untapped potential to reach from Kansas City’s point of view.

Hadden led the Volunteers in passes defended (11) and interceptions (three) last season. Unfortunately, injuries were a hurdle during his college career. Without that, Hadden may have been selected much earlier. A player that has displayed enticing ball skills, this cornerback will likely work to develop more sound technique in coverage. He also offers good size for the position. If another lottery ticket bet works out for the Chiefs draft history at cornerback, KC may never pay anyone heavily at that spot, outside of possibly Trent McDuffie.

OL CJ Hanson

The final pick of 2024 by Kansas City, the Chiefs used the draft to find a third offensive lineman within their overall selections. Out of Holy Cross, CJ Hanson started 38 games at right guard across four seasons. Similar to Nourzad, Hanson’s outlook could be seen as depth for the excellent interior offensive line trio. The Chiefs likely valued his experience and length as an interior blocker.