Round 7, Pick 256: Tahj Brooks, RB, Texas Tech
Tahj Brooks is a smaller, stockier running back who plays with compact power and great vision out of the backfield. In interviews at the combine, several NFL representatives said that Brooks was the best pass blocker in the draft, something that is very valuable in the modern NFL. The Chiefs are a very pass-heavy team and pass protection is very valuable in their offense, making Tahj Brooks a game-changing addition late in the draft.
Brooks is also a skilled power back and he has a great ability to hit gaps and make plays in short yardage situations. He is a solid receiver but lacks great speed or burst, which will hurt his stock some but his value as a passing down back is elite. This year's running back class is very deep and the team should wait until late to add one, as it is more than possible you can get a day one player on day 3 for the Chiefs.
UDFA: Traeshon Holdon, WR, OregonHoldon
After the draft is over, the Chiefs take a risk on former five-star recruit Traeshon Holdon. Yet another big outside receiver, Holdon is a physical outside threat at receiver who has a great frame and plenty of upside to be a great NFL receiver. Holdon started his career at Alabama but struggled to find the field consistently and made his way to Oregon where he was great for the Big 10 champs in 2025.
Holdon is still a raw prospect and will have to compete for a roster spot with guys like Skyy Moore and Justyn Ross in training camp. The Chiefs will need depth in their WR room, and in the worst-case scenario, Holden can provide that and give them a rotation physical threat on the outside.
UDFA: Taylor Elgersma, QB, Laurier Golden Hawks (Canada)
The Chiefs' situation backing up Patrick Mahomes is unclear, and they take a risk on the Canadian quarterback Elgersma after the draft. Elgersma is a massive question mark, and he did not receive a combine invite this offseason. But he has a great frame and on film shows signs of having an NFL arm. He will have to adjust to American football, and a significant amount of development will be needed. But worst-case scenario, Elgersma hits the practice squad and spends some time developing this season.
UDFA: Hunter Wohler, S, Wisconsin
Steve Spagnuolo loves to run sets with several safeties so it is likely that the Chiefs will look to add some depth in their safety room. Guys like Jaden Hicks and Bryan Cook looked good in 2024, and they displayed a lot of upside for the future. But with Justin Reid hitting free agency, there is some room for the team to add a safety. Wohler is a solid box guy who is a hard hitter and loves to get downhill and could be a very good fit in the Chiefs defense.
UDFA: Fentrell Cypress, CB, Florida State
Cypress is an average-sized corner who slips out of the draft here after some struggles in 2024. Florida State really struggled this season, and their down year hurt the stock of a lot of their prospects. Cypress was attacked a lot, but often because he was playing across from Azareyeh Thomas who was one of the best corners in the nation. Cypress has the potential to be a solid rotation corner who can play any role in the NFL, and he will compete for a roster spot in 2025.
How This Draft Helps the 2025 Chiefs
This draft addresses the biggest need for the Chiefs immediately by taking Ersery to be the left tackle of the future. The team will prioritize helping Patrick Mahomes after the struggles of the Chiefs offense in 2024. They also selected Jayden Higgins to give Mahomes another weapon on the outside who can be a reliable target down field and early on routes. These two early picks should help the offense be more productive in 2025 and gives the team a few immediate contributors.
After that, the Chiefs attack defense and fill some gaps left behind by free agents. Adding Burch and Bassa allows Spagnuolo to get creative, moving guys around in a variety of roles. Fortune also provides depth at corner with plenty of potential to be a day one player for the Chiefs on the boundary.
The rest of the picks for the Chiefs are mostly depth, with the upside to potentially be contributors in the future. The Chiefs will need an effective draft in order for them to find success again in 2025 and beyond, and with this draft they get several young options who can make an impact day one and have upside to be contributors down the line.