The Kansas City Chiefs are known for their proficiency in finding young talent, and with the 2024 NFL Draft less than two weeks away, general manager Brett Veach is sure to be hard at work figuring out his strategy for adding high-ceiling prospects.
Veach’s decision to trade star defensive back L’Jarius Sneed earlier in the offseason created a gaping hole in the back end of Kansas City’s championship-caliber defense. Without Sneed in the mix, the Chiefs will rely on talented but unproven young cornerbacks to play with Trent McDuffie and Justin Reid in the secondary.
Luckily for Veach, there are a handful of defensive backs who should be available late in the first round of the draft to fill the big shoes left by Sneed. Better yet, two of the top cornerbacks in the class played just down the road from Arrowhead Stadium in Columbia, Missouri.
Take a look at this full seven-round mock draft to see how Kansas City might be able to add one of the elite Mizzou cornerbacks later this month:
Sep 30, 2023; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Vanderbilt Commodores quarterback Ken Seals (8) throws a pass over the arms of Missouri Tigers defensive back Ennis Rakestraw Jr. (2) during the first half at FirstBank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-USA TODAY Sports
Rakestraw is among the most polished cornerbacks in the 2024 class and would immediately play a role for Kansas City in Steve Spagnuolo’s defense. While some fans might prefer the Chiefs add a wide receiver with the No. 32 pick, Rakestraw’s selection could give Kansas City a turnkey replacement for Sneed while leaving room to draft a pass catcher later in the draft.
Nov 25, 2023; Columbia, South Carolina, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks wide receiver Xavier Legette (17) runs the ball against Clemson Tigers safety Khalil Barnes (36) at Williams-Brice Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Yeazell-USA TODAY Sports
Legette is the Chiefs’ best bet if Veach decides to wait until the second round to draft a receiver. Though he might not be a first-year starter like Rakestraw, Legette would have plenty of room to develop in Kansas City’s new-look receiving corps and may blossom into a rookie star if injuries force him to see significant action in Andy Reid’s offense.
Mar 3, 2024; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Notre Dame offensive lineman Blake Fisher (OL20) during the 2024 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY…
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