[duncan_idaho]

OK, here's my last one of the season.

Stuck to sticktothemodel for this. It's the best one I've found.

In this one, we imagine what it looks like if the Chiefs just stay put at 31 and take what the board brings em.

1.31 Luther Burden III, WR, Missouri.
This is a "this week" evolution for me, but seeing the way boards are projected to go, it made the most sense. Also available: Tyler Booker, (ha), Josh Conerly. Nolen, Harmon, Egbuka, Simmons all off the board.

2.63 Trade: Raiders were desperate to come up and take Jalen Milroe, I net 3.68 and 4.108


3.66 Tate Ratledge, G, Georgia
Ratledge is a huge dude with tremendous athleticism for the G spot. 40, 10 and 20 splits are all elite-elite, as is his lateral agility and explosion. He increase the competition at LG, gives them insurance if they need to move on from Trey Smith in some way or after this season, and on the chance that Suamataia develops or Moore solidifies his ownership of LT, he could move to LG full-time, too, even if he doesn't win the job this year.

3.68 Jordan Burch, DE, Oregon.
Really liking Burch of late. The size/speed/athleticism/strength are a rare combo. He's big like a Spags DE, but has a lot more twitch and bend. Gimme.


3.85 Trade: 3.95, 4.133 to TB for 3.85) Deone Walker, DT, Kentucky.
As I was watching the board, Farmer and Walker were both sitting out there. I decided to move up to ensure I land one of the last DTs from that tier. Could have taken Farmer here, but I see a lot of similarities with Walker and Chris Jones. He's an insane athlete for his size. Needs to improve his stamina, but can two-gap AND is way quicker than someone this big and strong should be. He had an injury as a junior that has knocked his stock down a bit, but he's got large upside. Plus, who doesn't like the idea of lining up 13 ft of DT, between him and Jones?

4.108 Trade: With the second piece received from the Raiders, I trade back to add another Day 3 pick, receiving 4.117 and 5.151 from Indianapolis.
4.117Trevor Etienne, RB, Georgia.
Happy with Etienne, who is a really nice fit in KC's offense as the 3rd down back/receiving back..

5.151 Jeffrey Bassa, LB, Oregon
I like Bassa's athleticism and speed at LB. He's a sound tackler, runs well, and has more coverage ability than other folks in KC's room. Hopefully he can sneak into some of the nickel sets as a rookie.

7.226 Jason Marshall, Jr., CB, Florida
Marshall is a player I've thought was a KC-style CB. He has all the tools KC likes - size, speed, leaping ability - but has been developed poorly by the Florida coaching circus during his time in Gainesville. I see a guy with the tools that KC's excellent coaching staff can do something with. And with McDuffie, Watson, Fulton, and Williams all in KC for 2025, the Chiefs have some time here. Maybe they get Marshall to start realizing his potential, and when Watson and Williams walk after this year, Marshall is ready to step in?

7.251 Jaequez Hunter, RB, Auburn
This is really just a BPA/value pick. Hunter's ability to break tackles and gain yards after contact is intriguing. Potential Pacheco replacement in 2026.

7.226 Adin Huntington, DL, Tulane
Lot of Tershawn Wharton in this guy. Little undersized for DT, but super, super athletic.

Post-mock depth chart:

QB: Mahomes/Minshew (Oladukon, PS)
RB: Pacheco/Hunt/Etienne (Mitchell can't stay healthy in TC and is cut; Hunter, Steele to PS)
WR: Rice, Worthy, Brown/Burden, Smith-Schuster, Remigio (Skyy Moore is cut)
TE: Kelce/Gray/Hendershot (Wiley starts year on PUP)
OT: Moore, Taylor/Morris
OG: Suamataia, Smith/Ratledge, Nourzad, Caliendo
C: Humphrey/Hanson

Offense:24 players

DE: Omenihu, Karlaftis/Anudike-Uzomah, Danna, Burch (Robinson, Harring, Thompson to PS)
DT: Jones, Pennel/Tillery, Walker, yet-to-be-signed FA, (Huntington to PS)

LB: Bolton, Tranquill, Chenal/Bassa, Cochrane, Jones

CB: McDuffie, Watson, Fulton/Williams, Johnson, Roland-Wallace (for ST) (Marshall to PS)
S: Hicks, Cook/Conner, Edwards

Defense: 26

K: Butker
P: Araiza
LS: Winchester

There's my final 53. Can certainly quibble over a few spots at the end of the depth chart and who they would keep/who would hit the PS.

Receiving weapons get an upgrade in depth and nice coverage for potential Rice suspension, Brown injury, and position the weapons well moving forward.

Etienne gives them more juice back at RB. Add a bunch of size and athleticism to the roster.