KCSN Roundtable: Chiefs first-round draft predictions from our staffers
From seasoned writers to your favorite podcast hosts, our team weighs in on who Brett Veach will call on the draft’s opening night.
Wake up and Merry Draftmas, Chiefs Kingdom. As the Kansas City Chiefs gear up for another potential Super Bowl run, the big question looms: Who will the Chiefs take at No. 31? We have assembled the KCSN crew—writers, analysts, and podcast hosts alike—to give their best shot at predicting the pick. Some stayed put, some called for a trade up, but nobody in Chiefs media know the needs of the team better than them. Let’s dive into our official roundtable predictions.
Kent Swanson — Co-Host of KCSN’s KC Laboratory
Prediction: Josh Simmons, Offensive tackle, Ohio State
The why:
The recent buzz makes me think that it's going to be a challenge to see Simmons fall to the Chiefs all the way to 31. Brett Veach could be tempted to make a move up (like he has in two of the four drafts he's made a first round selection) to secure a talent that normally wouldn’t be even in striking distance.
To change the fate of the tackle position, and keep it from being a running storyline every offseason, moving up for a discounted tackle could make sense in a unique draft. Simmons isn't a perfect prospect, but tackles often hit in round one, and they often don't leave the team that drafted them. They're going to be hard pressed to find an option in free agency year over year, and to raise the floor, they need to be bold.
Herbie Teope — KCSN’s Lead Reporter
Prediction: Derrick Harmon, Defensive tackle, Oregon
The why:
Chiefs general manager Brett Veach has consistently said this year’s draft class slants heavily to defensive talent, especially on the defensive line. He’ll have options with the 31st overall pick of the 2025 NFL Draft should the Chiefs look to bolster the interior with youth.
Enter the 6-foot-4, 313-pound Harmon, who is among this year’s top defensive tackle prospects and a projected late first-round pick. He earned the status after a four-year collegiate career, split between Michigan State and Oregon, by totaling 116 tackles (51 solo) and 8.5 sacks.
While Veach prefers to stay true to his draft board by selecting the best player available, especially with a first-round pick, Harmon could very well be that player should he slide to this spot. More importantly, Harmon would fill a need.
Hayley Lewis — Host of KCSN’s Chiefs News Daily
Prediction: Josh Simmons, Offensive tackle, Ohio State
The why:
It's not sexy, but it's what they need. Kansas City drafts another offensive tackle for the fourth consecutive year. It seems like a lot of whiffs, but fourth time's the charm?? Go get the best bang for your buck, a day one STEAL if he falls at 31, Ohio State's Josh Simmons. He's got the size, six-foot-five, 317-pounds and experience at both left and right tackle.
After transferring from San Diego State to the Buckeyes, Simmons started outside on the left until suffering a torn patellar tendon in October of last season. He missed 10 games, which is the only reason he may be available for Kansas City. However, prior to the injury Simmons didn't allow a sack or single pressure. This kid is the "most physically gifted tackle" and "one of the true left tackles" in this class … Brett Veach, lock this guy down!
Tucker D. Franklin — Co-Host of KCSN’s That Football Show
Prediction: Luther Burden, Wide receiver, Missouri
The why:
You know what? F—— it! Luther Burden to the Chiefs.
I yearn for the days the Chiefs offense was explosive and scored 38 points every game. Luther is a talented WR that NFL teams have been overthinking. While there’s some potential redundancies, I don’t think we were able to see what Burden was fully able to do at Mizzou.
However, what we saw was a top-10 talent and the Chiefs shouldn’t pass up the opportunity to pick the best wide receiver in the draft, no matter who is on the board.
Seth Keysor — Co-Host of KCSN’s Only Weird Games
Prediction: Luther Burden, Wide receiver, Missouri
The why:
I think there's a decent chance that either Harmon, Nolen, Burden, or Simmons falls to the Chiefs ... and that they take one of them.
Call it a gut feeling. Call it wishcasting (because I'd be happy with any of them). But I can just see Burden wearing red and gold next season on an offense that's rebuilt around its WRs rather than Kelce.
Joshua Brisco — Co-Host of KCSN’s Only Weird Games
Prediction: Walter Nolan, Defensive tackle, Ole Miss or Derrick Harmon, Defensive tackle, Oregon
The why:
As the dust settles on weeks of pre-draft chaos, I'm back to where I was at the beginning of the process: the Chiefs need to start on the defensive line.
I'll be rooting for the slide of defensive tackles Derrick Harmon or Walter Nolen as a new running mate (and potential successor) for Chris Jones, but it would be foolish to think that Brett Veach wouldn't be interested in moving up to grab one of the draft's top interior defensive linemen.
Matt Lane — Co-Host of KCSN’s KC Laboratory
Prediction: Josh Simmons, Offensive tackle, Ohio State
The why:
The Chiefs head into the 2025 off-season with one goal in mind ... protecting #15, Patrick Mahomes. They've seen him get beaten, battered, smashed, and smooshed while trying to figure out the LT spot, but no more. This is the time they finally fix it and it works out well enough because a top-10 type of talent at LT may be falling in the draft due to some medical concerns.
Ohio State's LT Joshua Simmons tore his patellar tendon during the season last year but according to reports he's rehabbing well and should be able to play in 2025. The Chiefs see a prime opportunity and pounce with a small trade up in Round one to secure their long term answer at LT and keep Mahomes from near death experiences week over week.
Tyler Brown — Chiefs Writer at KCSN.com
Prediction: Luther Burden, Wide receiver, Missouri
The why:
My sentiment is that great players at premium positions go high and early in the NFL Draft. Simmons, Harmon and Nolan would, by far, be my preferred pick and heck, the aggressive Brett Veach may go get them. But I think they are long gone.
Luther Burden’s stock, however, seems to be falling and falling. If Kansas City stays put at 31, I think he may just be the best player on their board and they grab a guy who was touted as a top-10 prospect early on in this process. It would be a luxury pick to be sure, but this class is loaded with defensive line depth that they can draft later.
I debated going with a safer pick, such as JT Tuimolau, Kenneth Grant or Tyleik Williams here, but I am not sure Veach and head coach Andy Reid will be able to help themselves here. I also debated TreVeyon Henderson here for the same reasons, but why not give Mahomes perhaps the most tantalizing wide receiver one through four in the league to co-exist with a stable defense. I trust Reid has the plan to make it all mesh with a prospect who has the best YAC ability in the class.
