First Round Targets
 

RB:

Omarion Hampton, UNC

OT:

Josh Conerly Jr., Oregon
Josh Simmons, Ohio St.


DT:

Walter Nolen, Ole Miss
Derrick Harmon, Oregon

EDGE:

James Pearce Jr., Tennessee
Nic Scourton, Texas A&M
Landon Jackson, Arkansas
Donovan Ezeiruaku, Boston College

S:

Malaki Starks, Georgia

I'm a bit surprised by a few. I'm wondering who you have on a list who you aren't considering because you feel they'll go far too high.

Landon Jackson has come a long way since that bag drill video

Just to kind of chime in as always... here's my feeling

OT Kelvin Banks Jr., Texas
OT Josh Conerly Jr., Oregon
OT Aireontae Ersery, Minnesota

DE Nic Scourton, Texas A&M
DE Landon Jackson, Arkansas
DE JT Tuimoloau, Ohio State
DE Jack Sawyer, Ohio State

DT Derrick Harmon, Oregon
DT Kenneth Grant, Michigan
DT Tyleik Williams, Ohio State

CB Jahdae Barron, Texas
CB Azareye'h Thomas, Florida State



Probably too high but on the radar:
OT Josh Simmons, Ohio State
DE Shemar Stewart, Texas A&M
DE Mykel Williams, Georgia

Guys I can't help but keep an eye on:
WR Emeka Egbuka, Ohio State
WR Luther Burden III, Missouri
WR Matthew Golden, Texas
TE Mason Taylor, LSU
RB Omarion Hampton, North Carolina

I like Harmon a ton but since DeCosta seems to read my mind every year, I'm sure he'll end up a Raven. :banghead:

Banks, Barron, Grant, Simmons, Williams, and Egbuka are all guys I left off because I don't think they'll be available.

Had Burden and Hampton on there, but I removed them until the Chiefs fill more needs in FA. I don't think they'll take a WR, TE, or RB unless they unexpectedly sign more guys than we expect.

What kills me is folks keep projecting another Eagles 1st round DL pick, holy hell, will they please calm down a bit on the defenses trenches lol

I think this will be the year to trade back. I think most of these guys like Harmon, Stewart and Nolen will be gone.

The players from 20-50 will all be the same grade. This may be the draft to trade down either from 31 or from the Titans pick to acquire more assets.

I’ve read this for seemingly everybody: there will be many good first contract and good players worth second contracts throughout rd 5.

Think of guys like Jaylen Watson. I think those kind of good players will be available throughout the meat of this draft.

I think this is a terrible idea. The quality of player at 31 will be better than it has maybe any other year with us picking that late, and now we're going to trade back for a measly 4th?

Veach has done way better trading up than staying put or trading down.

Yeah he won’t do it for 31 which is why I listed the Titans pick. I would like to trade down a few spots from 66 to get another mid rd pick.

I guess that's the gamble - snag a guy at 31 you "kinda" like, only to see him turn into a star and have that fifth year option on him.

It won’t happen bc it isn’t Veach’s style, but a Bills like trade back 4 spots would not be bad at all if we got a 4th or 5th.

It depends on what’s there. But I think it should absolutely be an option in this draft.

If it is with aQB needy team looking to get that 5th year option to get Dart out Milroe I think we could squeeze the 4th and 5th round picks in it.

Why the **** would we give up a potential 5th year option just for a mid day 3 pick?!?

Just for perspective, the 5th year option for McDuffie is 13.6 million and for Karlaftis is 15.2 million.

I'd be surprised if either of those QBs go before the 3rd round.

Revel & McDuffie would be alot of fun

If burden somehow falls to 31 you’re getting a top 10 talent at the end of the first. I don’t get his slide.

There was some talk of the Steelers taking Dart at 21.

QBs always push up. Look at the top two. I don’t think either one should be a top 20 pick. In fact I think sanders is more of a second rounder himself

I think it’ll be Conerly Jr or Ersery

I think McDuffie and Nick Emmanwori CFB South Carolina would be dynamic!

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It would be a serious shift to the D but damn, we need that LT. We can't have it all.

I hope you are right!

Starting to feel a little better about Scourton possibly falling to us after the combine. Not because he had a bad one, but because of how others knocked it out of the park.

A lot of chatter of Jason Dart going in the first round. Maybe Veach can capitalize on it with either more draft capital or a LT in a trade?

Not saying he’d be the guy, but Omarion Hampton could possibly be there and man. Veach might really have to think about it.

Harmon would be my pick. If he's there.

I have a hard time envisioning Hampton being there at 31 and NOT being the BPA.

If the Chiefs figure out something at LT in free agency, I’m all for Hampton at 31.

Still allows the Chiefs to go defensive in most of the rest of the draft with maybe someone like Felton in the 3rd.

Should Luther Burden be on this list? He was out of the first rd before the combine. Was the last pick of the first rd in PFF’s new mock

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Both ESPN and The Athletic had Missouri WR Luther Burden III falling out of Round 1 of their mock drafts this morning.</p>&mdash; Marcus Mosher (@Marcus_Mosher) <a href="https://twitter.com/Marcus_Mosher/status/1896911804401697214?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 4, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Seen that. It seems like some teams might be pressing.

Next year's class looks a lot better on paper...

Garrett Nussmeier, LSU
Drew Allar, Penn State
Cade Klubnik, Clemson
John Mateer, Oklahoma (Washington State)
LaNorris Sellers, South Carolina
Carson Beck, Miami (Georgia)
Rocco Becht, Iowa State

Plus, a few more who could elevate.

I did say about a month ago, I think to htismage, that Dart could go in round 1, but so many of these guys look like, at best, 2nd-3rd rounders in most years. I will say that Dart is far better looking than that next group of guys like Ewers, Shough, etc.

I'm not sure a team should take him in the top half of round 1, but you could be onto something if a team comes up from the top of 2 into the bottom of the round to snag him.

I agree. This class is really weak at QB. Ward might be the only one I’d touch in round one but I wouldn’t take him until the 20’s. Teams will press every year for QB.
But next years class does look stronger. And if Manning has a good year at Texas it could look even better.

Zierlein mocked him to KC in his latest - https://www.nfl.com/news/lance-zierl...-johnson-slide

I'd take Burden if he made it there...

Another one to watch is Malaki Starks his testing is not off the charts, could be another Brian Branch situation.

Starks is a lot like Jihaad Campbell for me, in that I don't know if we can take that position in the 1st round today, but I really hope we can fill enough holes before the draft to make it possible.

If either of those guys were sitting their at 31, it would be awfully tempting.

Not sure why staylor doesn’t have Josh Simmons on this list. He could fall due to this injury. And I still think if his medicals are okay’d by Burkholder he’s the best option for them at LT.

He'll be ok the list if it still looks like he can be there as we get closer. He might have a personal combine, so I'm waiting to see what happens.

I try to keep this list as short as I possibly can.

I'd be interested to see your stack ranking of the candidates as we continue to get closer.

Maybe two lists:
- BPA from the group (your perspective)
- Probability of being the pick (your perspective)

For now,

Top 5 BPA:

1. Nolen
2. Scourton
3. Harmon
4. Stewart
5. Jackson

If you can't tell, I think DL will be far and away BPA.

Yeah right now I think Stewart is gonna be out of range for us. I think he really boosted his stock at the combine and the tape will show that despite a lack of sacks, he had a shit ton of pressures and hurries. Brugler actually mocked him too 10 today.

Veach always has his eye on a guy he wants to trade up for. Right now I think the best bet is Nolen and Harmon. Those guys would kick so much ass next to Chris

Agreed. He's gone before 31. He's probably the first guy I'll take off the list with my next edit.

Agree with RunKC, I’m for…

Conerly Jr
Harmon
Nolen
Ersery

I think Darius Alexander needs to have serious consideration here fellas. It’s early but for my money I like him more than Nic Scourton, and I like Nic Scourton a lot.

Alexander feels like a guys fans don’t know but scouts absolutely do. Kid absolutely killed OL at the Sr Bowl repeatedly all week long. He’s got size, strength and agility. Can play DE. Even dropped into coverage and had a pick 6 LMAO

Only downside is he turns 24 as a rookie. Quite honestly I don’t care. Ask the Rams if they care if Braden Fiske was a 24 year old rookie? Kid will have played 6 seasons before he turns 30.

Yeah. He needs to be on the list

I had Alexander as "my guy" in that thread, and been on this train way back when he was touted as a R3 or onwards guy. I think he's going to be a stud, and goes in the top 50. I think he may well be in the top 40. But I'm not sure he sneaks into the first round given the DT depth. Would love him if other DTs are gone and he's BOA.

He has been projected to the Saints @ 40 from my research.

That sounds pretty plausible imo

Early March big board for KC:

1. Luther Burden WR MU
2. Walter Nolen DT Ole Miss
3. Derrick Harmon DT Oregon
4. Nic Scourton DE Texas A&M
5. Darius Alexander DT Toledo

Notes:

-Burden ranked 31st on Daniel Jeremiah top 50, mocked around late 1st
-Stewart rising out of range
-Scourton and Alexander are so close for me. Veach’s penchant for a guy that’s 3.5 years younger is the tiebreaker

Older guy from a small program is a bit of a red flag for me.

I like Harmon alot. Might entertain a trade up there.

Well, if Egbuka falls to 31, I think I grab him and thank the gods.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Derrick Harmon is in the company of a 3x Super Bowl champ �� <br><br>��: <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NFLCombine?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NFLCombine</a> on <a href="https://twitter.com/nflnetwork?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NFLNetwork</a><br>��: Stream on <a href="https://twitter.com/NFLPlus?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NFLPlus</a> <a href="https://t.co/DXsnCIbSQG">pic.twitter.com/DXsnCIbSQG</a></p>&mdash; NFL (@NFL) <a href="https://twitter.com/NFL/status/1895224830288634243?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 27, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Donovan Ezeiruaku seems like one of the safer picks in this class. Like a better more refined version of Chop Robinson. Him and Princely Umanmielen seem like they don’t fit what Spags has looked for i.e. bigger DE’s.

Spags DE’s in KC:

Frank Clark-270 lbs
George Karlaftis-266 lbs
Charles Omenihu-280 lbs
Carlos Dunlap-277 lbs
Terrell Suggs-265 lbs
Alex Okafor-264 lbs

Mike Danna and BJ Thompson are not on this list but they were day 3 lottery tickets. I remember Spags shipping out a smaller speed rusher in Dee Ford immediately after he was hired. Also did not want to play Josh Uche who was 245.

Think he really values size. Guys like Landon Jackson and Nic Scourton who staylor also has here.

Updated list

They want Jihaad Campbell.

Almost put him on the list, but think re-signing Bolton rules that out. What makes you say this though? Is it an actual rumor?

I think it's a mistake not to have the OSU DEs on this list, especially Tuimoloau.

Hell, both are better players than Landon Jackson.

Donovan Ezeiruaku doesn't fit our scheme and he probably goes in the top 20 (IMO).

I might rethink that EDGE list.

I do think Jihaad Campbell would be in play if he drops to us. Adding an athletic WLB would be a nice addition.

I have a hard time not seeing Kenneth Grant or Tyleik Williams as options at DT. Harmon might be a guy who is just unavailable there.

I really don't see Veach spending a 1st on a safety, but hell, I guess you never know.

I know you like to keep your list short, and normally, I agree with most of it. Not sure I'm on the same page as you this year.

I can see Tuimoloau, but I think that's too rich for Sawyer. I also strongly disagree about both being better than Jackson.

Ezieruaku probably isn't a fit, I agree, but he has that bend that nobody on the roster has at all except for maybe FAU, and I think he might be the kind of outlier they'd be willing to make an exception for.

I don't think Kenneth Grant makes it there, but I almost put him in this updated list, because I don't think it's impossible. I like Williams, but just don't see the Chiefs taking a run stuffing DT in the 1st. They just don't invest highly in those guys.

Starks I just see potentially being a BPA scenario. He also brings something nobody else on the roster does and would give them a true FS and day 1 starter.

If they don't re-sign Bolton, Campbell is on the list for sure. I jsut don't see them investing that heavily into LB in the same offseason.

“The Minnesota Vikings have traded pick 24 and 97 to the Kansas City Chiefs for pick 31 and 66. With the 24th pick in the NFL Draft, the Kansas City Chiefs select Derrick Harmon DT Oregon.”

Yup. We will all cum in unison

I think Harmon's a great prospect, but how do you see him being utilized with Jones?

I think Harmon's a 3 tech, not a Nose.

I love Grant or Williams at #31. Or Collins at #63 if Scourton is the pick at #31.

I think you’d stick them next to each on passing downs/against 11 sets and let them be disruptive.

You spell Jones a little more. And you also have a pair of Pennel types on the roster to try to kick butt against the run.

You’d use Harmon just like they used Wharton.

Nolen is the same for me.

Agree. Chris isn’t a spring chicken anymore guys. He’s gonna need to have his snaps drop a little each year and shift to more value on money downs. He’s getting older.

Not saying a drastic cut or anything. Also good ****ing God would OL’s piss their pants if Nolen or Harmon line up next to Chris Jones

Nolen falling would be the dream. I love Harmon, but Nolen is the better prospect IMO.

Harmon might be safer though.

Mykel Williams just ran a 4.76 40 at 267 lbs. He’ll definitely go in the teens or early 20’s at worst. Currently Daniel Jeremiah’s 20th ranked player.

So what do we have here?

Abdul Carter
Mason Graham
Jalon Walker
Mykel Williams
Mike Green
James Pearce

That’s 6 DL alone. Feels like one of Harmon or Nolen will be there in the mid 20’s and it will be the perfect opportunity for Veach to own Buffalo again by trading in fromt of them for his guy.

I like Nic Scourton, but I feel like he’s secondary to those guys bc of the value they can provide as interior rushers. Harmon and Nolen have legit high ceiling potential.

Idk. Feels like Veach is gonna want to pounce on one of those guys falling. Really good class but Harmon and Nolen are clearly a level above the rest.