CHIEFS 2024 NFL DRAFT GRADES: HOW EXPERTS VIEW KC'S CLASS
The Chiefs drafted seven players in the 2024 NFL Draft as KC looks to win a third consecutive Super Bowl this season.
The team went all-in on offense to open the draft by moving up to take Texas speedster Xavier Worthy in the first round. Kansas City added to its offensive line depth as well with Kingsley Suamataia before taking tight end Jared Wiley in the fourth round. The Chiefs added two more offensive line and two defensive backs to close out their selections.
Jets' 2024 NFL Draft class: Texas WR Xavier Worthy, BYU OT Kingsley Suamataia, TCU TE Jared Wiley, Washington State S Jaden Hicks, Penn State C Hunter Nourzad, Tennessee CB Kamal Hadden, Holy Cross OG C.J. Hanson
With the 2024 draft over, here's what NFL experts had to say about the Chiefs' class:
2024 NFL DRAFT: Full list of picks | Winners & losers
Expert grades for Jets' draft class
Vinnie Iyer, Sporting News: A-
The Chiefs may have gotten a little too aggressive and speed-happy to land Worthy over worthier first-round wideouts, but it made sense from the perspective to keep adding deep threats for Patrick Mahomes. Suamataia and Nourzad might be their latest offensive line steals. Wiley, out of Andy Reid's alma mater BYU, was a good developmental as a high-ceiling athlete behind Travis Kelce. Hicks might end up being the best overall pick and is ideal for Steve Spagnuolo's defense.
Charles McDonald, Yahoo Sports: A
Hell of a draft for the back-to-back defending champs. They added elite, gamebreaking speed with their selection of Xavier Worthy in the first round and might have found a franchise left tackle in the second. Jared Wiley and Jaden Hicks were quality pickups in Round 4 and they took a couple dart throws on the offensive line later on. Wiley has the potential to be the Chiefs' starting tight end after Travis Kelce moves on, showing off rare movement ability for a 6-foot-6 player. Worthy, Kingsley Suamataia and Wiley may be cornerstones for the Chiefs’ offense when this is all said and done.
Pete Prisco, CBS: A
The Chiefs had a good draft. They traded up to get receiver Xavier Worthy in the first, then did the same to take Suamataia in the second. Worthy will be a game changer for Patrick Mahomes. Taking two of my Better-Than team players makes this grade go up.
Mel Kiper Jr., ESPN: B+
If you watched the Chiefs during the 2023 regular season, you shouldn't be surprised about what they did Thursday night. Patrick Mahomes' wide receivers let him down time and time again, and GM Brett Veach had to help out his quarterback in this draft. Veach already had signed speedster Marquise Brown in free agency, but I thought he could still select a pass-catcher in Round 1 and turn the wide receiver room from a weakness to a strength.
That's exactly what Veach did. Xavier Worthy (28) became a household name at the combine because he broke the record for fastest 40-yard dash, but he has some nuance as a route runner and isn't just a deep threat. In fact, the comp I used in my Big Board was to Brown, who will be his new teammate. Mahomes now has two electrifying playmakers at his disposal.
The only nitpick I have about Veach's first two picks is that he had to trade up to get them, but each was a value selection in my rankings. The Chiefs had to give up their third-rounder to get Worthy then slid down in Round 4 when they moved up for Kingsley Suamataia (63), a mountain of an offensive tackle who could challenge to start at left tackle as a rookie. With Donovan Smith still unsigned, I wonder if Veach would give Smith another one-year deal as insurance at the position.
Tight end Jared Wiley (131) caught eight touchdown passes last season, and he is a solid fourth-round flier, while safety Jaden Hicks (133) is super versatile but a better run defender than a cover man.
Can Worthy and Suamataia reach their lofty ceilings? Ultimately, this class will be defined by whether Kansas City's first two picks turn into good starters and help Mahomes get back to the Super Bowl.
Chad Reuter, NFL.com: A
If you're wondering how the Chiefs stay on top, just look at this draft haul. Worthy is the sort of speedy difference-maker the Chiefs have searched for since trading Tyreek Hill away in 2022, and they did not give up much value to AFC rival Buffalo in the trade up to select him. They also did not have to reach for Suamataia, who should work himself into the lineup at tackle or guard if he's able to improve on his footwork.
Wiley's potential as a mismatch against smaller defenders made him one of the top picks of the fourth round. Hicks joins past Chiefs picks L'Jarius Sneed and Chamarri Conner as yet another potential bargain defensive back in the fourth round. Nourzad could start at center or guard in the NFL. They'll be looking for corners, running backs and linebackers after the draft.
Nate Davis, USA TODAY: B
Perhaps the anti-Jets, taking the superfluous receiver (Texas blazer Xavier Worthy) in Round 1 before the offensive lineman (BYU OT Kingsley Suamataia) they arguably should have prioritized in Round 2? And, again, maybe the league’s new dynasty shouldn’t be questioned – Worthy’s 4.21 speed added to free agent signing Hollywood Brown, and what they could mean to an offense triggered by three-time Super Bowl MVP Patrick Mahomes … assuming the three-time Super Bowl MVP remains upright behind whoever’s guarding his blind side.
Matt Verderame, Sports Illustrated: B+
2024-04-29T17:01:25Z dg43tfdfdgfdKansas City went into the draft with two clear needs: left tackle and wide receiver. GM Brett Veach found both in the early rounds, trading up to land both Worthy and Suamataia. Worthy has blazing 4.21 speed, albeit weighing 165 pounds. If he hits, though, the Chiefs’ offense will be back in full force.