Here it is, what will
not come to fruition once again (and sometimes that's a good thing haha). This represents what I'd most like to see happen in the 2025 draft. If there is a trade mocked, it's because I don't believe that player will make it to our selection in that round, simple as that. Rankings estimated from several relatively reliable sources. All synopses are from Dane Brugler's "The Beast" Draft Guide for simplicity. I've provided highlights for as many prospects as I could find them for.
1-024 | LT Josh Conerly, Jr., Oregon (6'5" 311, 5.05)
KC trades 1-31, 3-66 to MIN for 1-24, 3-97
What I like: Has easy movement skills to get to perimiter blocks and into deep sets, excellent body control, and increasingly bettering his hand usage
Why I want: I championed picking up Moore to hedge our bets at LT because we can't go into another season wondering how we're going to address it but that doesn't mean I don't want to see a more athletic, long-term option in house. Conerly provides exactly that and there is no rush to get him on the field while they hone his technique and strength.
Synopsis:
Spoiler!
A quick, fluid mover, Conerly has the range to reach his landmarks laterally in pass protection and on the move, at the second level and in the run game.
Because of the underdeveloped parts of his game, he will put himself in some compromised positions, especially against power rushers, but his recovery balance is exceptional. Overall, Conerly must continue refining his hands and core strength, but he is on the right trajectory and enters the NFL with a promising foundation based on athletic movements and body control. Currently a “bend, don’t break” blocker, he has the talent to become a solid starter early in his NFL career.
Strengths- Outstanding lateral quicks, change of direction and overall movement skills
- Explosive jump setter to easily cut off pass-rush angles
- Elite recovery balance
- Average height but above-average arm length and big, firm hands
- Keeps head on a swivel to locate blitzes and stunts
- Uses light feet and body control to seal frontside end on zone runs
- Paces speed to shine at second level and out in space, where he can erase defenders on move as lead blocker
- Plays with both raw strength and aggressive play style
- Allowed only six pressures over final 12 starts (all coming vs. Ohio State)
- Durable — finished career with 28 straight starts
Weaknesses- Core strength must be addressed and developed
- Hands are all over the place and frequently late, leaving his chest exposed
- Bull rushers able to rock him on his heels and drive him backward
- Explosive laterally out of stance but will be early and overset, inviting inside rush moves across his face
- Can be caught leaning in pass pro and needs to find better balance between being patient and aggressive
- Only played left tackle in college and doesn’t have functional experience at right tackle or on the interior
2-063 | DT T.J. Sanders, South Carolina (6'4" 305, 4.95)
What I like: Immediate penetration into the gap, tough to move off his spot despite being on the lighter side, and lateral tackling ability
Why I want: We need more young bodies on the defensive line instead of constantly regurgitating older players that don't make much of an impact outside of Chris Jones. Not only that, Jones will start a decline in the coming year or two and you would like to see these rookies coming into their own when it happens.
Synopsis:
3-095 | LB Barrett Carter, Clemson (6'0" 232, 4.63)
What I like: Explosive sideline-to-sideline range, excellent blitzer and QB spy, and solid coverage ability
Why I want: We need better coverage and more athleticism at the WILL as Tranquil looks to have lost a step and Chenal can't play out in space.
Synopsis:
3-097 | RB Trevor Etienne, Georgia (5'9" 198, 4.42)
What I like: Great footwork at the LOS, exceptional decisiveness to hit the hole or cutback lane, excellent receiving ability with homerun speed
Why I want: We need to replace the skills we lost when McKinnon left the offense and Etienne provides a similar profile if he can become a good pass blocker
Synopsis:
4-133 | CB Korie Black, Oklahoma State (6'0" 192, 4.35)
What I like: Aggressive and disruptive at the line, uses the sideline, and is a superb tackler in space
Why I want: You always need to continue to churn DBs because they are expensive, much like WR and I believe Black provides what we look for while also giving slightly more playmaking/ball skills than exist on the roster
Synopsis:
7-226 | FS J.J. Roberts, Marshall (5'11" 192, 4.41)
What I like: Outstanding range and length that show up in coverage, solid ball skills, good tackling for his size
Why I want: We lack depth at safety so it's more about bodies, but you like to see elite ball skills show up at times on the back end and I think Roberts can provide that
Synopsis:
7-251 | WR Dymere Miller, Rutgers (5'11" 181, 4.37)
What I like: Always creates separation with his athleticism and finds soft spots in zone coverage
Why I want: We need to develop a long-term slot option and Miller has the requisite athleticism for this offense but I'll admit it's a shot in the dark
Synopsis:
7-256 | DT Kyonte Hamilton, Rutgers (6'3" 305, 5.02)
What I like: Wrestling leverage shows up with the way he gets under the pads of blockers, jolting pop into the offensive lineman, and generates penetration with snap quickness
Why I want: As with Sanders, you just have to stack bodies at DT to create depth and long-term stability at the position and I feel like Hamilton's arrow has continued to point up as he's become more dedicated to football after leaving the wrestling arena
Synopsis: