Grading every pick Dane Brugler made for the Chiefs in his latest 7-round mock draft

The 2025 NFL draft will be an ideal opportunity for the Kansas City Chiefs to re-tool their roster after suffering a brutal defeat at the hands of the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LIX earlier this year.

Though Chiefs general manager Brett Veach managed to acquire valuable contributors in free agency, Kansas City still has several holes in its depth chart.

But with several valuable draft picks with which to address the Chiefs’ various needs, Veach is in a unique position to set Kansas City up to earn a fourth consecutive Super Bowl appearance next season.

Dane Brugler of The Athletic recently published a seven-round mock draft that saw the Chiefs’ front office aggressively attack Kansas City’s offensive line while also shoring up depth at other positions.

Check out our grades for all of the picks that Brugler made for the Chiefs below:

Round 1, Pick 31: Ohio State Buckeyes OT Josh Simmons

Ohio State Buckeyes offensive lineman Josh Simmons gets high fives after lifting during the pro day for NFL scouts at the Woody Hayes Athletic Cente on March 26, 2025.

This might not be a particularly exciting pick, but Simmons would be an excellent choice at No. 31 if he falls all the way through Round 1. Given that Kansas City signed offensive tackle Jaylon Moore in free agency, the Chiefs don’t necessarily need to spend this pick on their front five.

But if they do, the team could do a lot worse than Simmons.

Grade: B+

Round 2, Pick 63: Ole Miss Rebels WR Tre Harris

Oct 5, 2024; Columbia, South Carolina, USA; Mississippi Rebels wide receiver Tre Harris (9) celebrates knocking a pass away from South Carolina Gamecocks wide receiver Dalevon Campbell (15), in the hedge, in the second half at Williams-Brice Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Blake-Imagn Images

Harris would be an ideal pick for the Chiefs in Round 2, and could immediately play a role in Kansas City’s offense as a rotational pass-catcher with Rashee Rice, Marquise ‘Hollywood’ Brown, and Xavier Worthy. By adding Harris here, Veach makes good on his commitment to revitalize the Chiefs’ receiving corps.

Grade: A-

Round 3, Pick 66: Texas Longhorns DT Alfred Collins

Dec 21, 2024; Austin, Texas, USA; Texas Longhorns defensive lineman Alfred Collins (95) against the Clemson Tigers during the CFP National playoff first round at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

If Kansas City doesn’t pick a defensive lineman in the first or second round, this early third-round choice will likely be the Chiefs’ last chance to land one of this class’s elite space-eaters. Collins is a low-risk, high-reward tackle prospect who would be an excellent running mate for Chris Jones in the middle of Kansas City’s front four.

Grade: A-

Round 3, 95: Arizona State Sun Devils RB Cam Skattebo

Arizona State running back Cam Skattebo (4) runs against Texas defensive back Jelani McDonald (25) during the third quarter of the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl in Atlanta on Jan. 1, 2025.

Skattebo is fun to watch and was ultra-productive during his time at Arizona State, but I’m not sold on the idea of selecting him here in Round 3. Kansas City has plenty of talented running backs under contract for 2025, including Isiah Pacheco, Kareem Hunt, Elijah Mitchell, and Carson Steele.

Though the appeal of seeing Skattebo in tandem with Pacheco and Hunt is intriguing, it would make more sense for the Chiefs to spend this pick on a talented defender, rather than a second or third-string running back.

Grade: C-

Round 4, Pick 133: Kansas Jayhawks G Bryce Cabeldue

Kansas senior offensive lineman Bryce Cabeldue (77) lines up during a drill at practice Thursday, Aug. 15.

Cabeldue is a fine pick here in the fourth round, and could be one of the better players on the board, if the draft plays out as Brugler predicted in his mock. Kansas City could certainly stand to add a developmental guard, and Cabeldue may prove to be an above-average blocker.

But the Chiefs’ defensive needs are too pressing to give this pick an above-average grade.

Grade: C

Round 7, Pick 226: BYU Cougars OT Caleb Etienne, BYU

Sep 4, 2021; Stillwater, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma State Cowboys offensive lineman Caleb Etienne (76) blocks during the second quarter of the game agains the Missouri State Bears at Boone Pickens Stadium. Oklahoma State Cowboys beat Missouri State Bears 23-16. Mandatory Credit: Brett Rojo-USA TODAY Sports

Picks made this late are hard to project, but Brugler’s instinct is right on with this selection.

Andy Reid will almost certainly pick up a BYU lineman at some point, if given the chance, and Etienne would be a low-risk prospect to target on Day 3.

I won’t continue to dock Brugler for the lack of defense additions this late in the draft, but am hesitant to say this pick is a home run.

Grade: B

Round 7, Pick 251: Iowa Hawkeyes TE Luke Lachey

Aug 31, 2024; Iowa City, Iowa, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes tight end Luke Lachey (85) looks for yards after catch against the Illinois State Redbirds during the second quarter at Kinnick Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports

I’m all in on any tight end from the Hawkeye State.

While Lachey wasn’t particularly productive as a collegian, he has good size and could possibly develop into a second or third-stringer after a stint on Kansas City’s practice squad.

Grade: B-

Round 7, Pick 257: Oklahoma Sooners EDGE Ethan Downs

Oklahoma Sooners defensive lineman Ethan Downs (40) reacts following the Red River Rivalry college football game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners and the Texas Longhorn at the Cotton Bowl Stadium in Dallas, Texas, Saturday, Oct., 12, 2024.

Downs racked up 12.5 sacks over four seasons with the Sooners, and while he isn’t the most physically dominant edge-rusher in this class, his experience could make him a fast riser in the NFL.