Kilgore had five interceptions in 2024 and has the versatility to play either safety or nickel. Not only did Justin Reid leave Kansas City for New Orleans in free agency, but the Chiefs have only one safety under contract beyond the 2025 season.

Missouri has done an excellent job producing offensive linemen; two were drafted this year alone. Green, a one-time Oklahoma transfer, has prototypical size and power for an offensive guard. The Chiefs identify their replacement for Joe Thuney a year after making the move.

Bryan Cook and Mike Edwards are free agents after the 2025 season, which leaves Kansas City's long-term safety outlook unclear. Thieneman is rugged and plays with urgency. In run support, he fires up the alley with aggression and seeks out contact. He also makes the most of his opportunities around the ball, recording six interceptions and two forced fumbles in 2023 at Purdue. Now at Oregon, he's expected to be a firm final line of defense for the Ducks.

Best Pick: First-round tackle Josh Simmons is the best offensive lineman in this draft. If not for a torn meniscus suffered early last season, he would have been a top-10 pick. The Chiefs can be patient with him, but he's their long-term left tackle.

Worst Pick: Second-round defensive tackle Omarr Norman-Lott has talent, but there were questions about his attitude leading into the draft. Some teams were turned off by him. The second seems a little high for him.

The Skinny: I really liked their draft. Simmons will be a star. Norman-Lott can be really good. Third-round edge Ashton Gillotte was one of my favorite players in this draft and was on my Better-Than team. Third-round corner Nohl Williams and fourth-round receiver Jalen Royals will be nice additions and I liked seventh-round back Brashard Smith.

Top needs entering the draft: Offensive tackle, defensive tackle, running back and tight end

There was no way the Chiefs could exit the first two days of the draft without some serious offensive line improvements, even while slotted to pick down the board at No. 31. It doesn't take a brilliant football mind to watch last season's Super Bowl and know pass protection was a major factor in Kansas City's blowout loss to Philadelphia. The Chiefs paid Jaylon Moore starting left tackle money in free agency, but he was a backup last season. And Jawaan Taylor hasn't exactly been set-and-forget at right tackle. Even the once-mighty interior took a hit this offseason, when GM Brett Veach traded Joe Thuney to Chicago.

Not only did the Chiefs do something about it late on Day 1, they also picked up an extra fifth-rounder. They traded back one spot with the Eagles and finished Round 1 with Josh Simmons, who might have been the top offensive tackle in the class if not for a knee injury in the middle of last season. He's terrific in pass protection and came at great value. I had him No. 15 on my Big Board. Even if he's not quite ready for training camp, the Chiefs have Moore and Taylor. Once Simmons is fully healthy, he could be the answer as Patrick Mahomes' blindside protector.

The Chiefs got a pass-rushing 3-technique (Omarr Norman-Lott), penetrating edge rusher (Ashton Gillotte) and ball-hawking corner (Nohl Williams) on Day 2. They reached for Norman-Lott -- my No. 142 player went at No. 63 -- but he fills a need. I love Gillotte's game, and "First Draft" fans know that. I had him as one of my "Orange Crushers" this year. And Williams picked off seven passes to lead the FBS last season. Nice little Friday night for Veach & Co.

Kansas City pivoted back to offense Friday, getting a vertical receiver in Jalen Royals and physical running back in Brashard Smith. The Royals pick, in particular, was great. He was No. 72 on my board, but K.C. got him at No. 133 overall. He scored 21 touchdowns over the past two seasons. And Smith is a converted receiver with 4.39 speed. Mahomes has to be pleased.

The only thing that kept Kansas City from the coveted "A" grade was not taking a tight end. Travis Kelce is 35 years old now, so the Chiefs need an heir apparent.