Chiefs 7-Round NFL Mock Draft 3.0: Fixing the Wide Receiver Problem

The NFL Draft is less than three weeks away and it's time to shift our focus to who the Chiefs might take as they prepare for a potential three-peat. Brett Veach has done a spectacular job in recent drafts and I expect multiple impactful playmakers to come from this 2024 class.

In both of my first two mock drafts, Kansas City waited until the second round to address wide receiver. Betting odds suggest the Chiefs are likely to take a wideout in the first round however, and in this upcoming mock the organization swings for the fences at the position.

With the ongoing uncertainty surrounding Rashee Rice and underwhelming production from the rest of the group, it's important to ensure Patrick Mahomes has enough weapons in 2024 and beyond. Let's dive into the third version of our mock draft series:

Chiefs 7-Round NFL Mock Draft

1. Keon Coleman - WR, Florida State (Pick 32)

I won't argue with people who prefer Ladd McConkey out of Georgia here, but Keon Coleman has long been one of my draft crushes and I couldn't resist the opportunity to hit a potential home run at wide receiver.

At 6'4", 210 LBs, Coleman is a physical freak with highlight catches that'll remind you of a young Odell Beckham Jr. He had 798 yards and seven TDs at Michigan State in 2022 before transferring to Florida State and catching 50 passes for 658 yards and 11 TDs last year. He was the Seminoles' punt returner as well, flashing exceptional agility and shiftiness for a player his size.

He'd likely be the best player on the roster at making contested catches as soon as he was drafted, and selecting Coleman could help fix the mistake of passing on DK Metcalf several years ago.

A willing and physical blocker in the run game, Coleman's mentality would fit well in Kansas City. His advanced metrics aren't superb, but the pure talent certainly is.

Patrick Mahomes has never played with a receiver like Coleman. He's massive yet agile, intense yet sure-handed. I'd love the fit here, and I'm hoping we get to see Coleman highlights all year long.

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2. Jalen McMillan - WR, Washington (Pick 64)

What's better than one highly-touted wide receiver prospect? TWO highly-touted wide receiver prospects!

This would be a stunner, but Jalen McMillan is one of the draft's biggest risers and would help ensure the Chiefs' problems at wide receiver become a thing of the past. He caught 164 passes for 2,143 yards and 17 TDs in his college career and QBs had a 125.1 passer rating when targeting him.

His ability to create yards after the catch will remind fans of Rashee Rice and his versatility could make him a perfect fit for Kansas City's offense.

McMillan is fast with 4.47 speed, has strong hands, runs routes well and is adept at finding space in coverages to get open.

Pairing McMillan with Coleman would give the Chiefs a diverse wide receiver room, and at least one of those two will turn into an impactful player in the NFL. With Rice already in the fold and Hollywood Brown here for a season, Brett Veach could turn the team's biggest weakness into an exciting strength virtually overnight.

3. Austin Booker - DE, Kansas (Pick 95)

Brett Veach typically takes at least one pass rusher to keep the cupboard full, and the 6'4", 240 LB Austin Booker would be a fantastic fit as a productive player with local ties, having spent the last year in Lawrence as a Kansas Jayhawk.

Booker compiled 56 tackles, eight sacks and two forced fumbles this year, generating 37 total pressures on 482 snaps. He's quick to diagnose offensive plays and performs well as a run stopper, though his best traits come as a pass rusher.

His high motor and intense playing style would boost the Chiefs' defensive line, and Booker could learn behind some of the best pass rushers in the NFL as he develops a more complete skillset.

Booker is a mature player with a variety of pass-rushing moves he uses to keep offensive linemen off balance. He's a raw prospect, with just one year as a starter in college, but his physical traits and impressive production make him a possible pick in the top 100.

After loading up at wide receiver in the first two rounds, I'm happy with shifting gears to keep the defense stout for years to come in the third.

4. Jaylan Ford - LB, Texas (Pick 131)

Willie Gay Jr. is no longer on the roster and Nick Bolton is due for a contract extension after this year, so it makes sense to shore up the linebacking depth, as Jaylan Ford is one of the most productive defenders in the class at his position.

As a starter at Texas over the last two years, Ford had 230 tackles, 20.5 tackles for loss, six interceptions, four fumble recoveries, three forced fumbles, and three sacks. He's excellent in pass coverage, making him a logical understudy for the newly-extended Drue Tranquill.

We know how much Steve Spagnuolo loves versatile defenders and Ford is one of the most versatile linebackers available.

Ford is a capable run defender and plays with an edge that'll pair nicely with the Chiefs' linebackers. He doesn't have high-level speed, but he's quick and rangy enough with good instincts to translate serviceably to the next level.

For a fourth-round pick, it's easy to imagine a path to impactful playing time for Ford. The Chiefs have had success drafting Texas linebackers in the past - why not get another one?

5. Elijah Jones - CB, Boston College (Pick 159)

At 6'2" with long arms and 4.44 speed, Elijah Jones would be an ideal mid-round selection to bolster Kansas City's secondary. He excels in press and man coverage with tremendous leaping ability and a knack for causing turnovers.

He's already 24 years old, but his tape speaks for itself and shouldn't have a steep learning curve at the professional level. He has 21 deflected passes and seven interceptions over the last two years, earning First-Team All-ACC honors in 2023.

Steve Spagnuolo likes tall, long corners and Jones fits that bill perfectly. He's not a flawless prospect with a thin frame, so he could stand to put on some muscle.

That said, his physical traits are exciting. One of the more athletic defensive backs in the draft class, Jones makes a ton of sense as a long-term L'Jarius Sneed replacement. Only 32% of passes his direction were completed in 2023, and he'd be a home run draft pick with Kansas City's first of two fifth-round selections.

6. Khristian Boyd - DT, Northern Iowa (Pick 173)

I had Khristian Boyd going here in my last mock draft as well, and the Kansas City native would fulfill a lifelong dream by suiting up for the Chiefs. He's one of the strongest players in the class, bench-pressing 225 pounds 38 times at his pro day, a mark that would have led all defensive players at the NFL Combine.

Boyd had 38 tackles and 2.5 sacks in 2023 and displays exceptional burst off the line. At 317 pounds, he's big enough to clog the middle of the field and plays with violent hands to beat double teams inside. Learning from Chris Jones would do wonders for his development and I could see Boyd making a similar impact to that of Mike Danna long-term, who was selected in the fifth round before developing into a quality rotational player.

He's already visited with the Chiefs and would be a strong addition to the locker room. When you're this late in the draft, you have to use some projection and imagine what a player could ultimately become.

Boyd's sheer strength and tenacious style project well long-term and I believe in Kansas City's coaching staff to get the best out the raw prospect.

It'd likely take a couple of years to see Boyd make much of an impact, but no team has been more successful at turning late-round picks into productive contributors than the Chiefs and Boyd could be their latest example.

7. AJ Barner - TE, Michigan (Pick 227)

AJ Barner was primarily used as a run-blocker for Michigan's loaded offense, but he's shown pass-catching ability as well and has the athleticism to turn into a weapon down the line.

He caught eight passes for 99 yards and a TD against Michigan State, so he's certainly capable of being more than just a blocker. Even still, he's a darn good blocker and Kansas City needs a long-term replacement for pending free agent Blake Bell. Despite signing Irv Smith Jr. already this offseason, Barner is a developmental prospect worth taking a flier on.

The Chiefs love to have multiple tight ends on the field in the red zone. Barner's prowess as a run blocker could help disguise plays, and he gets free here with a play similar to the ones Andy Reid likes to call.

He'd likely wind up on the practice squad in 2024, but could see the field in 2025 and beyond if he develops properly.

Barner gave up just two QB pressures and no sacks as a senior. Even if he never develops into a dependable pass catcher, he can still make an impact as a blocker. For a seventh-round pick, that's just fine.

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