Mock drafts don't necessarily mean anything when all is said and done and the dust settles on the official event—in this case, the 2025 NFL Draft. It's all a series of guesses and projections, a fun exercise to see the possibilities of such a popular event like the annual entry point for college football's best players.
That said, some mock drafts can still be rather unsettling.
The latest mock from Nick Baumgardner of The Athletic was released this week, and most Kansas City Chiefs fans will not be happy with the results. And if it portends how general manager Brett Veach might actually utilize his first-round pick in late April, there might be a small-scale riot in Kansas City.
Baumgardner has the Chiefs taking Donovan Jackson, an excellent offensive line prospect out of Ohio State, with the No. 31 overall selection in his latest mock. There's nothing wrong with Jackson, nor is there anything wrong with K.C. doing everything it can to protect quaterback Patrick Mahomes. That said, a first-round guard is not the desired outcome for most Chiefs fans when it comes to their draft hopes.
If Brett Veach wants to avoid the torches and pitchforks, he'll look at something other than a guard in the first-round of the 2025 NFL Draft.
The upside of any pick like Jackson would be to bolster an offensive line that lost Joe Thuney this spring to an offseason trade to the Chicago Bears. The Chiefs would also certainly get a Week 1 starter if taking Jackson, and they'd have even more depth and upside up front for years to come.
That said, the Chiefs have plenty of other needs that are much tougher to fill in this draft class than guard. Issues along the defensive line, in the backfield, at wide receiver, at corner, and even offensive tackle profile as much more prominent positions that fans would like to see.
One of the bigger issues with taking a prospect like Jackson is the fact that the Chiefs already have touted Kingsley Suamataia as their new left guard. If they replace him before he even gets a chance to play, it's an admission that their second-round pick from a year ago is already a bust who will likely serve out his tenure as a backup at best.
To take a guard in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft is for the Chiefs to look over worthy prospects at other important positions, to admit defeat on another high-level investment, and to pay a premium at a position where it's not all that difficult to find someone with a decent floor. While guard is a nice thought, and Donovan Jackson is a solid prospect, Chiefs Kingdom would likely be rather unhappy if a guard is Veach's first-round pick.
