Chiefs Strengthen O-Line and D-Line, Fill Other Gaps in NFL Draft

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Chiefs general manager Brett Veach noticed the same things as everybody else during the Super Bowl: His squad got outmaneuvered upfront. On both ends of the field, the Philadelphia Eagles suffered a decisive and embarrassing loss.

He definitely made several attempts to fix the issue. the NFL draft .

The Chiefs secured their last selection of the opening round on Thursday evening to Choose Ohio State's Josh Simmons Many consider him to be the most gifted offensive tackle available in the draft. Simmons dropped to the 32nd pick primarily because of a previous tear in his patellar tendon; however, the Chiefs remain optimistic following their evaluations and believe he'll participate this year.

In the subsequent round on Friday evening, they utilized their next-to-last selection on Omarr Norman-Lott from Tennessee, who will join the talented Chris Jones as part of the core defenders along the line.

Adding another defensive front player in the third round with edge rusher Ashton Gillotte from Louisville, the Chiefs managed to tackle their top priorities even before getting into the later stages of the draft.

“Certainly, there was significant debate surrounding our offensive line after the Super Bowl, and just as he frequently does, Brett capitalized on free agency to strengthen it,” explained Chiefs Chairman Clark Hunt, referring to the recent signings of offensive tackle Jaylon Moore and defensive lineman Jerry Tillery during the early part of the off-season.

Hunt remarked, "One of his greatest strengths is that he gets us into a situation heading into the draft where we aren’t forced to pick out of necessity. This is especially true since we typically select so late each year. Opting for the top player available increases our chances of finding someone who will remain with the team and contribute over the long haul."

This is precisely what the Chiefs envision for their first- and second-round selections.

Although all tests regarding Simmons' knee were favorable, Chiefs head coach Andy Reid expressed uncertainty about what measures Patrick Mahomes' new left tackle might take during the summer sessions. It’s possible that he could miss the approaching rookie minicamp as well as some voluntary workout activities. However, the team remains optimistic that he'll participate once training camp starts in July.

Once again, there’s significant work to be done both with the team and in terms of rehabilitation," Veach stated, "however, we have an excellent coaching staff, a fantastic locker room atmosphere, and top-notch trainers. This gives us confidence in his potential recovery and development.

Familiar faces

The Chiefs were looking for an additional pass rusher to pair with George Karlaftis, and their search led them to Gillotte, someone who is acquainted with his potential new colleague. At Purdue, Karlaftis was coached by Mark Hagen, who later moved from there to Louisville, where he mentored Gillotte during the previous season. These two athletes have also trained alongside each other before.

(Karlaftis) was observing the practice session, seeming to think, 'That's not good; you need to correct that,'" Gillotte mentioned. "Although he is quite critical, in many respects, his input assisted me in refining my pass-rushing technique and reaching this stage where I am recognized for my abilities.

Trading up

The Chiefs had such strong faith in California cornerback Nohl Williams that they traded their 95th selection along with a fourth-round pick next year to the Patriots to advance 10 positions and choose him eighth-overall. They required reinforcement at this spot, and Williams demonstrated significant capability in his collegiate career, intercepting 14 passes over five years.

Day 3 steal

Several experts believed that Jalen Royals, the wide receiver from Utah State, might be selected as early as the second round. However, since he remained available during the fourth round, the Chiefs decided to pick him to strengthen their roster of promising and dynamic wide receivers. This year, they anticipate having Rashee Rice return following an injury, along with building upon Xavier Worthy’s impressive performance as a first-year player last season.

Depth at linebacker

In an initial-day deal with Philadelphia, the Chiefs acquired an additional fifth-round selection, which they utilized to select Jeffrey Bassa, a linebacker from Oregon. He is expected to add depth and bring the flexibility needed to contribute across all aspects of special team duties.

What else is left

Not many teams addressed their primary needs as effectively as the Chiefs did during the draft. With only one running back under contract past this upcoming season, they selected SMU’s Braydon Smith in the seventh round. However, they failed to secure a prominent tight end, particularly considering the uncertainty surrounding Travis Kelce’s career after the 2025 season.

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