Round 3, Pick 96: Maryland DT Jordan Phillips
The Chiefs will potentially be losing several defensive tackles to free agency and need to replace the guys who won't be returning in 2025. The interior of the defensive line has felt like a strength in Kansas City over the years, with Chris Jones being the headliner. But losing guys like Tershawn Wharton, Derek Nnadi, and Mike Pennel will mean they need to make additions to the interior this offseason.
Phillips declared for the draft early after a solid career at Maryland and showed exactly why he did so at the Shrine Bowl. Phillips was one of the biggest winners in Arlington this year and showed incredible athletic upside. Phillips weighed in at 6’1 320 for the shrine bowl and, in my opinion, was the best defensive lineman there.
Despite carrying a lot of weight with his smaller frame, Phillips explodes out of his stance and has a really good first step to win early on the interior. He has violent hands, and his ability to move laterally at his size is unique. Losing Nnadi and Pennel could have Kansas City in the market for a run stuffer, and Phillips is already a very skilled lineman against the run and has the potential to be a skilled pass rusher as well.
Round 4, Pick 168: California CB Nohl Williams
Another standout from the Shrine Bowl, Williams is an incredibly experienced corner and has played 5 seasons of college football between his time at UNLV and Cal. The Chiefs have a history of success drafting corners late in the draft that have good traits, and Williams fits the mold of what they are looking for.
With the possibility of the team losing Jaylen Watson and Joshua Williams, as well as struggles from other depth corners, the team will need to address boundary corner in the draft. Williams is a skilled corner with the size and length to play on the outside and stick with bigger and better receivers. Williams has proven his ability to be a ball hawk on defense, with 7 interceptions in 2024 and 14 in his college career.
The Chiefs will need a solid guy to play next to superstar Trent McDuffie and Williams could be that guy. While you can't expect a fourth-round pick to be a plug-and-play outside corner, the Chiefs have had success with corners like Williams, and they will be willing to give him a shot to earn an outside role in 2025.