It’s claimed Andy Reid and the Kansas City Chiefs are eager to advance from their 31st overall pick in the first round to secure a top-tier player in this year’s class.
Although the 2025 NFL Draft isn’t viewed as brimming with elite talent at the top, it is considered one of the deepest in recent years – particularly impressive in the middle to later rounds. This suggests that moving up the draft board may be less frequent this year, with several teams believed to be interested in moving down.
The majority of mock drafts feature very few trades in the first round. Aaron Rodgers, meanwhile, has yet to announce whether he’ll continue his football career, as the Pittsburgh Steelers growing frustrated at the situation.
After three consecutive Super Bowl appearances, the Chiefs understand that their window for contention is likely closing, especially with Travis Kelce expected to retire after this season following his agreement to return for one more year.
ESPN reported that the Chiefs are among the few teams actively looking to move up the boards in the first round, potentially targeting an offensive tackle to address their issues in that area. Despite signing tackles Jawaan Taylor and Jaylon Moore to substantial contracts, neither have proven themselves as high-end starters in the league, and both may not be viewed as long-term solutions to protect Patrick Mahomes.
This year’s tackle class is as robust as we’ve ever seen, with Armand Membou, Will Campbell, Kelvin Banks Jr., Josh Simmons and Grey Zabel all likely to be first-round picks. Josh Conerly Jr. could also be a potential pick for the Chiefs.
However, to secure one of these top prospects, Kansas City might need to climb the draft order, potentially into the mid-first round. Teams like the Seattle Seahawks and Denver Broncos, who hold mid-first round picks, could be potential trade partners for the Chiefs, who are likely interested in moving back.
The Chiefs have all their picks intact, including two third-rounders, one of which they could use to move up into the mid-first round to find their desired player. In addition to an offensive tackle, the Chiefs could also benefit from finding a pass-rusher to pair with Chris Jones and George Karlaftis, with several edge players expected to be available in the mid-first round.
