2024 NFL Draft Grades: Kansas City Chiefs

Day 1 grade: A
Day 2 grade: A-
Day 3 grade: A

Analysis: If you're wondering how the Chiefs stay on top, just look at this draft haul. Worthy is the sort of speedy difference-maker the Chiefs have searched for since trading Tyreek Hill away in 2022, and they did not give up much value to AFC rival Buffalo in the trade up to select him. They also did not have to reach for Suamataia, who should work himself into the lineup at tackle or guard if he's able to improve on his footwork.

Wiley's potential as a mismatch against smaller defenders made him one of the top picks of the fourth round. Hicks joins past Chiefs picks L'Jarius Sneed and Chamarri Conner as yet another potential bargain defensive back in the fourth round. Nourzad could start at center or guard in the NFL. They'll be looking for corners, running backs and linebackers after the draft.

Top needs entering the draft: Wide receiver, defensive tackle, offensive tackle, tight end

If you watched the Chiefs during the 2023 regular season, you shouldn't be surprised about what they did Thursday night. Patrick Mahomes' wide receivers let him down time and time again, and GM Brett Veach had to help out his quarterback in this draft. Veach already had signed speedster Marquise Brown in free agency, but I thought he could still select a pass-catcher in Round 1 and turn the wide receiver room from a weakness to a strength.

That's exactly what Veach did. Xavier Worthy (28) became a household name at the combine because he broke the record for fastest 40-yard dash, but he has some nuance as a route runner and isn't just a deep threat. In fact, the comp I used in my Big Board was to Brown, who will be his new teammate. Mahomes now has two electrifying playmakers at his disposal.

The only nitpick I have about Veach's first two picks is that he had to trade up to get them, but each was a value selection in my rankings. The Chiefs had to give up their third-rounder to get Worthy then slid down in Round 4 when they moved up for Kingsley Suamataia (63), a mountain of an offensive tackle who could challenge to start at left tackle as a rookie. With Donovan Smith still unsigned, I wonder if Veach would give Smith another one-year deal as insurance at the position.

Tight end Jared Wiley (131) caught eight touchdown passes last season, and he is a solid fourth-round flier, while safety Jaden Hicks (133) is super versatile but a better run defender than a cover man.

Can Worthy and Suamataia reach their lofty ceilings? Ultimately, this class will be defined by whether Kansas City's first two picks turn into good starters and help Mahomes get back to the Super Bowl.

THE CHIEFS SPLURGED ON DAY 1 BY TRADING UP FOR THE FASTEST MAN IN NFL COMBINE HISTORY, then spent the rest of the draft scooping up value prospects. Xavier Worthy wasn't my favorite receiver in this class (he was my WR7, 34th player overall), but he represents one of the most-fun team-player fits. Worthy gives Patrick Mahomes another big-time playmaker who can tilt the field with his speed and run-after-the-catch talent. The Chiefs turned around in the second round and addressed their offensive line, grabbing a long and athletic tackle in Kingsley Suamataia, who I had ranked as my 47th-best player. The Jared Wiley pick in the fourth round is tantalizing as well: Wiley was my TE2 coming into the draft (87th overall) and offers a rare size/speed combination at the position. He's incredibly smooth and brings big-play potential—and the potential to develop into Travis Kelce's long-term successor. Safety Jaden Hicks was my 97th overall player, and the Chiefs got him at no. 133. All in all, an impressive weekend for the two-time defending champs.

Perhaps the anti-Jets, taking the superfluous receiver (Texas blazer Xavier Worthy) in Round 1 before the offensive lineman (BYU OT Kingsley Suamataia) they arguably should have prioritized in Round 2? And, again, maybe the league's new dynasty shouldn't be questioned — Worthy's 4.21 speed added to free agent signing Hollywood Brown, and what they could mean to an offense triggered by three-time Super Bowl MVP Patrick Mahomes ... assuming the three-time Super Bowl MVP remains upright behind whoever's guarding his blind side.

Boasting an elite defense, the reigning Super Bowl champion Chiefs entered this draft season needing to get more help for Patrick Mahomes on the offensive side of the ball, especially in the wake of Rashee Rice's legal troubles. They did so in a big way (and Mahomes showed his gratitude to general manager Brett Veach on social media). They added a weapon in Xavier Worthy whose 4.21-second 40-yard dash set an NFL Combine record. That speed figures to be lethal with Mahomes. Kansas City's top three picks were on offense. —Arthur

Best Pick: I picked two because they drafted two of my Better-Than team members in the fourth round. They took tight end Jared Wiley and safety Jaden Hicks to add depth at two positions early in their careers and then they will be starters in a few.

Worst Pick: I heard they really liked tackle Kingsley Suamataia from BYU, but I wasn't as high on him as others. He does fill a need and they didn't have to take him until the second, even though it was rumored he could go in the first.

The Skinny: The Chiefs had a good draft. They traded up to get receiver Xavier Worthy in the first, then did the same to take Suamataia in the second. Worthy will be a game changer for Patrick Mahomes. Taking two of my Better-Than team players makes this grade go up.

Analysis: The Chiefs may have gotten a little too aggressive and speed-happy to land Worthy over worthier first-round wideouts, but it made sense from the perspective to keep adding deep threats for Patrick Mahomes. Suamataia and Nourzad might be their latest offensive line steals. Wiley, out of Andy Reid's alma mater BYU, was a good developmental as a high-ceiling athlete behind Travis Kelce. Hicks might end up being the best overall pick and is ideal for Steve Spagnuolo's defense.

Analysis: Kansas City went into the draft with two clear needs: left tackle and wide receiver. GM Brett Veach found both in the early rounds, trading up to land both Worthy and Suamataia. Worthy has blazing 4.21 speed, albeit weighing 165 pounds. If he hits, though, the Chiefs' offense will be back in full force.

I mean, really.

We tried to warn you, NFL. We told you that if Xavier Worthy was there for the Chiefs, that was going to happen. And then, the Bills facilitated it with the trade that brought the champs up to 28th overall, and there was your nightmare fuel for the rest of the league. Think of Worthy as less a Tyreek Hill and more of a DeVonta Smith — or DeSean Jackson, who Andy Reid once used brilliantly in his West Coast Spread concepts. Worthy went to Texas because he wanted Steve Sarkisian to prepare him for the NFL as he had prepared Smith as Alabama's offensive coordinator, and now, all those defenses that got too comfortable playing the Chiefs with shallow two-deep are about to need a Plan B.

Kingsley Suamataia is the perfect Andy Reid tackle — efficient, athletic, a bit of power, and he allowed just two sacks over three seasons at BYU. Patrick Mahomes managed to outstrip Kansas City's outside protection issues to a degree last season, but they were obviously there. Jared Wiley isn't going to steal targets from Travis Kelce, but as the Chiefs have led the NFL in 13 personnel over the last two seasons, they need more guys who can catch the ball and get downfield.

The third-day player to watch is Tennessee's Kamal Hadden, who allowed just 12 catches on 33 targets last season with no touchdowns, three interceptions, and an opponent passer rating of... 7.0. He's a bigger defender who played a ton of off coverage in college, but I can't wait to see what Steve Spagnuolo does with him in more aggressive coverage concepts.