Predicting First-Round Pick by Chiefs' Division Rivals
The Kansas City Chiefs have done a terrific job at the NFL Draft over the last few years — especially in Round 1. Since taking over as the general manager in 2017, Brett Veach has found several of the Chiefs' key contributors in the opening round, including cornerback Trent McDuffie, defensive end George Karlaftis, and Clyde Edwards-Helaire.
The Chiefs' first-round success has to be tough to watch for the other AFC West teams. After all, Kansas City successfully developing its prospects is a big reason why no other team has won the divisional crown since 2015. If that streak is going to end, the Chiefs' rivals can't afford to miss with this year's first-round selections.
With that in mind, let's predict who each of the Chiefs' rivals will draft in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft.
Los Angeles Chargers (Pick No. 5): WR Malik Nabers, LSU
Assuming that the Los Angeles Chargers decide not to trade down, drafting a wide receiver with the fifth-overall selection makes a ton of sense. With Ohio State's Marvin Harrison Jr. largely seen as the best WR in the draft, I assume that he'll be off the board at No. 5, meaning the Chargers' next best option is LSU's Malik Nabers.
Nabers has been solid throughout his three-year run with the Tigers, but he truly took his game to the next level in 2023. As his final collegiate performance, the Youngsville, LA native led the SEC in both receptions (89) and receiving yards (1,569) while scoring 14 touchdowns in a year that also saw him named unanimous All-American for the first time,
OUTSTANDING TD CATCH MALIK NABERS 🕺@whyguard13 | @LSUfootball pic.twitter.com/ktZoHSfyI9
— SEC Network (@SECNetwork) September 16, 2023
After losing WRs Keenan Allen and Mike Williams this offseason, the Chargers desperately need a playmaker like Nabers to pair with quarterback Justin Herbert. The incoming rookie's combination of explosivity, athleticism, leaping ability, and run-after-catch skills have him projected to be an elite pass-catcher for years to come.
The last thing that the Chiefs want is to face a player of Nabers' caliber twice per season, but that seems like an inevitability with the way that things are heading.