The Kansas City Chiefs are riding high into the offseason after a second consecutive Super Bowl victory led by MVP QB Patrick Mahomes. With players like Mahomes, the Chiefs have built a dynasty primarily through the draft, and they’ll have to continue hitting jackpots in April if they are looking for a three-peat.
With the sweet taste of victory still on its lips, let’s take a look at a full list of the Chiefs’ 2024 NFL Draft picks.
Full List of Chiefs Picks by Round in 2024
- Round 1, Pick 28 (from BUF)
Xavier Worthy, WR | Texas - Round 2, Pick 63 (from SF)
Kingsley Suamataia, OT | BYU - Round 4, Pick 131
Jared Wiley, TE | TCU - Round 4, Pick 133 (from BUF)
Jaden Hicks, S | Washington State - Round 5, Pick 159 (from DAL)
Hunter Nourzad, C | Penn State - Round 6, Pick 211 (from SF)
Kamal Hadden, CB | Tennessee - Round 7, Pick 248 (from BUF)
C.J. Hanson, G | Holy Cross
Who Did the Chiefs Draft in 2024?
Xavier Worthy, WR, Round 1, Pick 28
The Chiefs moved up four spots to No. 28 in a deal with the Buffalo Bills. In the process, the defending champs are adding new speed in the room by selecting Xavier Worthy out of Texas.
The Texas star is best known for shattering the NFL Combine record for running his 40-yard dash in 4.21. Worthy earned a top-50 prospect label from PFN’s Ian Cummings ahead of the draft.
Xavier Worthy's speed is off the charts, but that's not the only way he can beat you. 💨#HookEm | #ChiefsKingdom pic.twitter.com/ICHGg2Vss5
— Pro Football Network (@PFN365) April 26, 2024
“Worthy is a deadly offensive weapon for defensive backs to contend with in a space-dominated modern NFL,” Cummings said. “He’s a hyper-elite speed threat with the long strides to chew up space in an instant, but he also knows how to use that speed to scare DBs out of optimal leverage as a route runner, and he has the bend and nuance to capitalize.”
Worthy’s speed now gets added to a place that’s thrived with fast wideouts of his stature — a la Tyreek Hill and Mecole Hardman.
Kingsley Suamataia, OT, Round 2, Pick 63
The Chiefs weren’t done with moving up in the draft. But this time gravitating up one spot in a deal with the San Francisco 49ers to nab Kingsley Suamataia of BYU.
This gives Mahomes new protection up front after snatching his next speed option in the first round. In the case of Suamataia, he’ll join his cousin Pene’i Sewell of the Detroit Lions in the league.
Cummings likes the Cougars’ blend of versatility and physicality that he brings in tow on the field.
“At just 21 years old, Suamataia already has left-right versatility, two years of experience, and an elite physical foundation to build on,” Cummings said. “At 6’6″ and 325 pounds, Suamataia looms over the competition, and his combination of elite explosiveness, mass, and high-end length grants him quantifiably elite power capacity. He can use that power to drive open lanes in the run game and shock rushers with violent punches in pass protection.”
Also in the deal with the 49ers, the Chiefs added a sixth-round selection (No. 211) after previously not having a pick during that round.
Jared Wiley, TE, Round 4, Pick 131
With their first pick of the fourth round, the Chiefs decided to draft a project behind one of their All-Pro players. Wiley is considered an excellent blocker and receiver in the passing attack. According to Cummings, Wiley is a pass catcher who could cause problems for defenses in the slot.
“Wiley has plenty of tools to contribute in the passing game and possesses the athleticism on a tall and athletic frame to develop into an eventual full-time starter,” Cummings said. “His prospects of making that jump would be aided by adding some strength to his profile and improving his consistency as a blocker as a Day 3 prospect.”
Jaden Hicks, S, Round 4, Pick 133
As teams seemed prepared to move out of the fourth round, the Chiefs settled with the best-remaining safety on the draft board. Hicks was considered a third-round potential player and joins a young Kansas City secondary looking for impact players.
“Best utilized as a split safety in two-high looks and as a high-octane support DB in middle-field closed alignments, Hicks can be an impact starter at his maximum,” Cummings said. “He’s a relentless competitor with sharp instincts against the run, and he has the coverage versatility to make life easier for his teammates.”
Hunter Nourzad, C, Round 5, Pick 159
It shouldn’t come as a surprise that Mel Kiper and several ESPN hosts said the Chiefs just “get it” when it comes to drafting offensive linemen. Nourzad is an excellent project along the interior of the offensive line and should provide plenty of depth for the organization.
“Still, the positives far outweigh the negatives on Nourzad’s scouting report,” Cummings said of the Penn State center. “A lineman who best fits power-gap schemes, but also has ability in zone looks, Nourzad has a high floor as a capable starter right out of the gate, and he can grow to become an impact starter with more work on his lower-body technique.”
Kamal Hadden, CB, Rd 6, Pick 211
Hadden is a consistent pro with the Volunteers and had a 90.4 coverage grade by Pro Football Focus. With the loss of L’Jarius Sneed, the Chiefs needed more depth. Hadden being at 6’1″ is a bigger player at the position and could be a developmental replacement for Sneed in the next few years.
C.J. Hanson, OG, Round 7, Pick 248
Never underestimate drafting offensive linemen to continuously protect a franchise quarterback. Hanson is a solid project overall that will compete for a roster spot right away in an offensive-line-heavy group.
