Kansas City Chiefs brass reveals the strategy for 2025 draft, also gives a sneak peek of their roster plans

The Kansas City Chiefs’ front office has pulled back the curtain on their blueprint for the 2025 NFL Draft and roster overhaul, signaling a pivotal shift after their quest for a historic three-peat collapsed in Super Bowl LIX. The Eagles’ 40-22 thrashing not only halted the Chiefs’ dynasty dreams but also exposed vulnerabilities in a roster once deemed invincible.

With Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce under scrutiny and retirement rumors swirling, the franchise now pivots to the draft to reload for another title charge. But how? A top executive’s candid revelations hint at a calculated, unorthodox approach.

Brett Veach’s draft blueprint: Patience over panic

Kansas City Chiefs General Manager Brett Veach, architect of the team’s recent dominance, offered a sobering assessment of their 2025 strategy. Contrary to expectations of aggressive moves, Veach ruled out trading up from their No. 31 pick—a slot reflecting their perennial contender status.

“We have 12-13 players graded as first-round talents,” he revealed, acknowledging this year’s draft lacks the star power to justify sacrificing future assets.

Veach’s stance underscores a stark reality: Kansas City’s roster, while still elite, has glaring gaps. The GM openly admitted the team needs reinforcements at offensive line, defensive line, wide receiver, and secondary. Rather than gambling on a splashy trade, Veach emphasized accumulating picks, even hinting at trading down to stockpile selections.

“We need as many picks as we can get,” he stressed, prioritizing depth over marquee names.

Why the Kansas City Chiefs’ draft strategy defies convention

For a franchise accustomed to late-round wizardry (see: Mahomes at No. 10 in 2017, Trent McDuffie at No. 21 in 2022), this year’s approach feels unfamiliar. With no premium picks, Veach must mine value in the draft’s middle rounds—a challenge compounded by a shallow talent pool. The focus? Plugging holes, not chasing headlines.

Offensive line upgrades are paramount. Mahomes faced relentless pressure in 2024, sacked 38 times (third-most in his career), while the run game sputtered without reliable blocking. Defensively, Chris Jones’ potential departure looms, necessitating fresh disruptors upfront. At receiver, beyond Rashee Rice, the Kansas City Chiefs lack a consistent threat to complement Kelce’s fading dominance.

Roster realities: From dynasty to rebuild lite

Veach’s candor about the Chiefs’ “holes to fill” is striking for a team two years removed from back-to-back titles. The Super Bowl loss laid bare their reliance on Mahomes’ heroics and a defense that regressed. Cornerback L’Jarius Sneed’s free agency exit left the secondary vulnerable, while Kelce’s decline (career-low 723 yards in 2024) signals the end of an era.

Yet Kansas City’s core remains formidable. Mahomes, 29, is in his prime, and Veach’s track record inspires confidence. His 2023 draft yielded immediate contributors like Rice and linebacker Leo Chenal. Replicating that success could reignite the Kansas City Chiefs’ juggernaut status.

The road ahead: Balancing now and next

Veach’s strategy hinges on threading a needle: addressing urgent needs while preserving future flexibility. Trading down could net mid-round gems like Iowa’s Cooper DeJean (versatile DB) or Texas’ Jonathon Brooks (explosive RB). Alternatively, staying put at No. 31 might land a Day 1 starter like Georgia OT Amarius Mims or LSU WR Brian Thomas Jr.

For a franchise eyeing its fourth Super Bowl in seven years, patience isn’t a buzzkill—it’s a power move. As Veach noted, “We’ve made it work before.” And in Kansas City, faith in Mahomes’ magic and Veach’s vision remains unshaken.