Call Your Shot: Who will be the Chiefs first pick in the 2025 NFL draft?

[staylor26]

I'm going with Josh Simmons, OT, Ohio St.

I think the Chiefs would prefer a guy like Walter Nolen or Derrick Harmon falls into their lap, but I don't think that happens next Thursday night, or at least I'm not going to get me hopes up.

A lot of people will not like this pick, due to the injury risk, but the Chiefs take a swing at a T that otherwise would never be in that late 1st round range.

Side note: I could also see Josh Conerly being the pick and could've just as easily chose him. Upside isn't as high, but he's probably safer given his health.

[ChiefsCountry]

Get me one out of this group of ten and I'll be pretty happy. They are in alphabetical order so no rankings. Some won't be available, some might be. Chiefs could trade up as well.

Jahdae Barron, CB Texas
Kelvin Blanks, OT Texas
Tyler Booker, G Alabama
Luther Burden, WR Missouri
Emeka Egbuka, WR Ohio State
Nick Emmanwori, S South Carolina
Omarion Hampton, RB North Carolina
Will Johnson, CB Michigan
Colston Loveland, TE Michigan
Walter Nolen, DT Mississippi

[DJ's left nut]

I'm gonna try to will Luther into existence.

Calling my shot -- at 31 the Chiefs select: Luther Burden, WR -- Missouri

[duncan_idaho]

Originally Posted by DJ's left nut

Staff loves him.

Now how much of that is forward facing? Who knows; public glazing to keep the talent in CoMo sort of thing.

But like I said, he was face-timing with Drink at the combine. Dude was gone -- out of the program at that point. And still chatting it up with the head coach back in Columbia.

I don't think there are coaching concerns with him at all.

But/for some of the most bizarre and inexplicable use patterns I've ever seen at Mizzou, he'd be a top 15 pick and in the running for WR1, IMO. He's a blue-chip talent. But we used him as a crutch for a mediocre QB so his game didn't develop a lick in his platform season (really, it regressed in some ways) and that's hurt him a bit in draft head circles.

I hope it pushes him down to us. I wouldn't be surprised if it doesn't. He's Rice but better. Physical, fast, great hands, incredible body control. He's a first round talent all day.

Agreed that he is Rice, but better.

He can do all the things that Rice can do, but has more tricks in his bag. Fast enough to be a legit downfield threat, with the carrying speed to NOT get caught from behind.

I've said before, he's somewhere betwee 95 and 98 percent of Jamar Chase, in terms of physical abilities and skills (except I have seen Burden win a ton of routes without pushig off, and I'm not sure I can say the same about Jamar).

[Kiimo]

Originally Posted by Snerd

What does this guy think of Ersery?

Seventh tackle.

Tall LT. Big presence. Gets out of his stance decently quick and clamps guys. Destroys in the run game, just a big wrecking ball. Pretty smart. Reads pass rushers intent well and reacts well. Hard to move on bull rushes. Great use of hands. Knows when to strike and move on the initial punch. Plays LT but definitely has to move to the right side. Clamped Abdul Carter but just by being bigger than him. Very stiff. Oversets and gives up the inside easily. Pad level is his height. Needs to set wide because he doesn't have the footwork to cross his body. Just average ability to get to the corner, helped by fast hitting offense.

[DJ's left nut]

Originally Posted by duncan_idaho

Agreed that he is Rice, but better.

He can do all the things that Rice can do, but has more tricks in his bag. Fast enough to be a legit downfield threat, with the carrying speed to NOT get caught from behind.

I've said before, he's somewhere betwee 95 and 98 percent of Jamar Chase, in terms of physical abilities and skills (except I have seen Burden win a ton of routes without pushig off, and I'm not sure I can say the same about Jamar).

Yeah - I don't like the Deebo comparisons but I don't think he has Chase's fluidity or top gear either.

To stick with Chiefs WR I'm gonna go with a fairly odd pairing:

Low end -- Steve Breaston
High end -- Sammy Watkins

If the "more of a pure slot, might struggle on the boundary" stuff comes to fruition (I don't see why it would) then you have Breaston. If he fits seamlessly into that gritty, physical X role that Andy seems to like, you have Watkins (with him and Rice presenting matchup issues being able to both work inside/outside).

[Kiimo]

Okay so people need to stop coveting Colston Loveland for the Chiefs.

Dude is going HIGH in the draft. Daniel Jeremiah just put him overall 7th in the draft OVER Cam Ward.

This guy is not falling to the Chiefs and definitely won't get past Harbaugh when the Chargers #1 need is TE


https://www.nfl.com/news/daniel-jere...fl-draft-class

7
Colston Loveland
Colston Loveland
Michigan · TE · Junior
Loveland is a long, lean tight end with outstanding awareness, quickness and big-play ability. He has aligned in-line, as a wing and in the slot. He’s urgent in his release. He has a tremendous feel for option routes and working in space. He can cleanly get in/out of breaks and he presents a big target to the quarterback. He attacks the ball in the air and is adept at finishing in crowds. After the catch, he has a smooth stride and possesses a nasty stiff-arm. He has some wiggle to make defenders miss, as well. His lack of bulk impacts his ability to stay connected as a run blocker, though. Overall, Loveland is equipped to make a lot of catches as a starting tight end in his rookie campaign.

[ForeverIowan]

If Im Veach Im going running back this year and receiver next year.

Say we draft Burden at 31. Injuries aside, how much is he getting on the field this year? He stepping in and playing in front of Rice, Worthy, Hollywood or Juju? All guys who have been in the building for 2-3 years and have the trust of Reid/Mahomes?

Find a way to get Hampton or Henderson and they are splitting carries with Pacheco by week 5. Taking over as our primary back later in the year and into 2026.

Address a third pass catcher to roll with Rice/Worthy next year.

[Kiimo]

That doesn't make any sense though, this draft is deep at RB like crazy deep. We have two 3rds, they definitely take a RB with one of them I bet.

But that doesn't stop them from taking Burden if he's there in the first just because next year is a better receiver class.

Burden absolutely plays his rookie year. You think Juju or Hollywood is going to prevent that? If anything he plays a bunch of Rice's role when Rice is suspended

[Gary Cooper]

Originally Posted by ForeverIowan

If Im Veach Im going running back this year and receiver next year.

Say we draft Burden at 31. Injuries aside, how much is he getting on the field this year? He stepping in and playing in front of Rice, Worthy, Hollywood or Juju? All guys who have been in the building for 2-3 years and have the trust of Reid/Mahomes?

Find a way to get Hampton or Henderson and they are splitting carries with Pacheco by week 5. Taking over as our primary back later in the year and into 2026.

Address a third pass catcher to roll with Rice/Worthy next year.

Rice is coming off an injury and has a looming suspension possible. Brown/Juju always seem to have injuries.

Our WR room looks fine on paper if healthy and available but you can never have too many good players there. If he can play and can contribute right away, I'm down with a WR in the first round. Not saying that would be my first choice but it's not terrible in foresight.

[DJ's left nut]

How many years in a row do we have to stand on our projected WR room as 'good enough' only to watch it collapse around us?

[ForeverIowan]

Originally Posted by DJ's left nut

How many years in a row do we have to stand on our projected WR room as 'good enough' only to watch it collapse around us?

You can speculate injuries all day. Our RB room is already one of the worst in the NFL. What happens if Pacheco goes down early again? We rolling with another year older and another year less explosive Kareem Hunt as our lead back? Inviting defensive coordinators to pin their ears back and freaking tee off on Mahomes.

I dunno I guess the idea of our 1st round pick rolling in as the #5 receiver on the depth chart to start the year not an ideal use of a first round pick in terms of impact next year.

[RunKC]

Good reminder that the leading WR in snap count the last 2 years is…Justin Watson.

Rashee is getting suspended. It’s most likely happening. Juju is washed, Kelce is washed.

Luther Burden might really be WR3 in the opener. If we can’t get a tackle, get playmakers. Get your depth/future on the DL and get your next playmaking RB.

Watching the offense the last 2 years has been painful to say the least. Let’s maybe try fixing that.

[Kiimo]

Originally Posted by ForeverIowan

You can speculate injuries all day. Our RB room is already one of the worst in the NFL. What happens if Pacheco goes down early again? We rolling with another year older and another year less explosive Kareem Hunt as our lead back? Inviting defensive coordinators to pin their ears back and freaking tee off on Mahomes.

I dunno I guess the idea of our 1st round pick rolling in as the #5 receiver on the depth chart to start the year not an ideal use of a first round pick in terms of impact next year.

I'm answering your question but you aren't reading or at least acknowledging it.

You don't need to take a first round RB to fix that room. Hell I'd be totally fine with a fourth rounder.

But if you want Burden which I very much do you have to take him at 31 and even then he has to fall to you.

But as a KU fan I like Devin Neal but I'm reading up on so many backs that I would like even more. This draft is STACKED at RB.

Like what about this guy Raheim Sanders out of South Carolina?

Bruising workhorse RB. Lowers the shoulder and slams into people. Great pad level, runs low and powerfully. Great footwork. Spry and nimble for a bruiser, resets well and delivers power from his legs. Good use of stiff arm and trucking. Fights hard on every yard. Saavy behind the line. Patient, finds the hole and bursts through it. Surprising top end speed. Can punish in the open field after the catch. Okay blocker, tries. Very punishing running style, constantly hit, often low. Ran into the ground at Arkansas. Goes into a jump cut when about to get tackled by bigger DL and loses his extra yards that he can get. Can get cute behind the line and bounce outside instead of getting easy yards. Really not that powerful at times when people hit his legs, just kind of goes down when he should run through it.

or this guy Kaleb Johnson out of Iowa

Tall, sprinting RB. Great top end speed, flies in the open field. One cut runner mostly, looks to lower the shoulder and go. Decisive. Doesn't waste a lot of time, finds a lane. Mostly shotgun and high ace sets so gets full head of steam before hitting the LOS. Gets pads low, bangs for extra yards. Pretty good out of the backfield, gets to his position fast, makes the catch and turns up field. Tons of energy and stamina, constantly at top end speed throughout the game. Protects the ball like his life depends on it, never takes a risk with a stiff arm. Tall and big but not that strong, can get easily wrapped up behind the LOS. Hesitates when the open lane doesn't happen, tends to jump cut and waste time. A little less elite burst when in more traditional pro sets. Piss poor hips, just runs forward, no elusiveness. Weaves when he runs like Forrest Gump. Feet churn is too broad and doesn't hold up well in a stand up tackle. Kind of a bad blocker, tries but just isn't very good at it.

[duncan_idaho]

There are so, so many good RBs in this draft. You don’t need to take one round 1 to fix things, or even round 2. Day 3 picks will do it.

Shoot, with the 3 7ths the Chiefs have you could take a receiving back sort in round 3/4 (Tuten, Etienne, Brashard Smith) and pick up a quality Pacheco replacement like Jarquez Hunter or Kyle Monangai in round 7.

I actually like the guys likely to be available at the end of round 2 the least. Hard pass on Johnson.

[DJ's left nut]

Originally Posted by ForeverIowan

You can speculate injuries all day. Our RB room is already one of the worst in the NFL. What happens if Pacheco goes down early again? We rolling with another year older and another year less explosive Kareem Hunt as our lead back? Inviting defensive coordinators to pin their ears back and freaking tee off on Mahomes.

I dunno I guess the idea of our 1st round pick rolling in as the #5 receiver on the depth chart to start the year not an ideal use of a first round pick in terms of impact next year.

And in 2026 he'll be the #3 pass catcher on the team (WR or TE). Right now, even fully healthy, that's probably Travis Kelce.

This offense is going to have to evolve to life without TK and likely life without Hollywood Brown in extremely short order. The learning curve for WRs here, even when accelerated, is about 6-8 weeks.

We get into next season with three hugely talented young WRs with experience in this system and you're not gonna think to yourself "Man, we sure pissed away that pick on Burden..."

We already can't do bunch sets with Kelce as the single man anymore. We've gotta start to figure out a path forward. Burden is a HELL of an option in that regard.