Latest news with #Veach
Forbes
27-04-2025
- Sport
- Forbes
2025 NFL Draft: Chiefs Hope Brashard Smith Is The Next Isiah Pacheco
Brashard Smith of the Southern Methodist Mustangs carries the ball against the Stanford Cardinal ... More during the fourth quarter at Stanford Stadium on Oct. 19, 2024. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) Before the 2025 NFL Draft, Kansas City Chiefs general manager Brett Veach said that running back was the draft's deepest position. 'It's a good likelihood that one of those players ends up on our roster,' Veach said. 'And hopefully they're a dynamic returner as well." Veach was a man of his word — even if it took until the Chiefs' final pick (228th overall) for them to select a running back. That's when they chose Brashard Smith in the draft's final round. That seventh round has been good for Veach and the Chiefs when it comes to running backs. Smith is the first running back to be selected by the Chiefs in the seventh round since Isiah Pacheco was taken 251st overall in the 2022 NFL Draft. Pacheco has proven to be of great value. Despite playing on an affordable four-year, $3.7 million rookie deal, which expires after the 2025 season, he started 11 and 13 games his first two years and gained 830 and 935 rushing yards, respectively. That doesn't include four playoff games when he surpassed 75 rushing yards. Most notably, he helped spur the Chiefs' comeback victory in Super Bowl LVII with 76 rushing yards and a touchdown. Pacheco was the player Smith's college head coach, SMU's Rhett Lashlee, used as a comparison for Smith. 'I heard Isiah Pacheco all season. It was kind of cool hearing that because he's a great back,' Smith said. 'It felt good.' The Chiefs felt so good about Smith that they traded up to snare him. The Chiefs sent their original 2025 seventh-round picks (251st and 257th overall) to the New England Patriots for their seventh-round pick (228th overall). In his lone season at SMU, the school both owner Clark Hunt and wide receiver Rashee Rice attended, the converted wide receiver set the single-season program record for all-purpose yards with 1,977. The third-team, All-American and first-team, All-ACC back had 1,329 rushing yards (5.7 yards per carry) and 14 rushing touchdowns his senior season and then went on to run the 40 in 4.39 seconds at the 2025 NFL Combine. 'He's an explosive athlete,' Chiefs southwest regional scout Jason Lamb said. 'When he gets the ball in his hands, he makes big plays happen. So, it's a lot of fun to watch.' Smith will be part of a deep running back group, which includes Pacheco, Kareem Hunt and Elijah Mitchell, who the Chiefs signed to a one-year, $2.5 million contract in March. Mitchell rushed for 963 yards in just 11 games as a San Francisco 49ers rookie, but knee and hamstring injuries ended his 2022 and 2024 seasons, respectively. 'When he's healthy,' Veach said, 'he provides an explosive dynamic in both the run and pass game.' Given his roots as a college wide receiver, Smith could emerge as a sure-handed, third-down back. But even if it's hard this year for Smith to find reps in a crowded backfield, he should contribute on special teams — the aspiration that Veach had outlined during his pre-draft press conference. During his four years in college, Smith totaled 53 kickoff returns for 1,295 yards and a touchdown. 'He's been pretty productive doing that,' Lamb said. 'Our coaches here are pretty excited to see him in that role as well.'
USA Today
27-04-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Grading every pick, trade that the Kansas City Chiefs made during the 2025 NFL draft
Grading every pick, trade that the Kansas City Chiefs made during the 2025 NFL draft General manager Brett Veach got creative in his effort to help the Kansas City Chiefs build for the future during the 2025 NFL draft. Over the course of seven rounds, Veach managed to find exciting prospects who should be able to compete for playing time in short order as Kansas City looks to earn its fourth consecutive Super Bowl appearance next season. While Kansas City entered the Annual Player Selection Meeting with relatively limited resources, Veach made a series of trades on all three days of the draft to give Kansas City maximum flexibility. Check out our grades for every move that the Chiefs made during the 2025 NFL draft: Round 1: Trade down with Philadelphia Eagles Kansas City sent the No. 31 pick to the Philadelphia Eagles for the No. 32 and 164 selections. Given that the Eagles took a defender when the Chiefs were targeting an offensive lineman, this trade made a lot of sense for the Chiefs, who needed to add a Day 3 pick via trade at some point during the draft. Grade: A- Round 1, Pick 32: Chiefs select Ohio State Buckeyes OT Josh Simmons Simmons is an undeniably talented tackle prospect, but likely fell to Kansas City due to a serious knee injury that he sustained during Ohio State's 2024 campaign. If the injury doesn't affect his trajectory as a professional, this pick is a home run, but should Simmons' development get thrown off track due to his condition, this pick could be an inning-ending double play. One has to assume that the Chiefs did their homework, and I'm cautiously optimistic about the prospect of Simmons starting for Kansas City at left tackle next season. Grade: B Round 2, Pick 63: Chiefs select Tennessee Volunteers DL Omarr Norman-Lott I'm inclined to trust Brett Veach's vision when it comes to Kansas City's defensive line, even if I don't always understand exactly what the team intends to do with the players he picks up. Norman-Lott wasn't a player I expected the Chiefs to take, but if Veach liked him better than the other linemen who were available, who am I to judge? Still, I thought Norman-Lott may have been a bit of a reach at pick No. 63, even if he ultimately ends up being a rock-solid player. Grade: B- Round 3, Pick 66: Chiefs select Louisville Cardinals EDGE Ashton Gillotte It is hard to argue with the kind of production that Gillotte achieved as a collegian, and Kansas City seems to have gotten good value for him early in the third round. But the Chiefs didn't enter the 2025 NFL draft with a paucity of edge rushers, and it seemed to me like this pick could have been spent on a top prospect at another position. But, as with Norman-Lott, I'll defer to Veach on this pick. Grade: B- Round 3: Chiefs trade up with New England Patriots The 2025 NFL draft class wasn't particularly deep at cornerback, so it makes sense that Veach would trade up to get "his guy" in at the position with this pick. However, the Chiefs had to give up a 2026 fourth-round selection to move up just 10 spots from No. 95 to No. 85, which seemed rather steep given that the trade back in the first round only netted a fifth-rounder. Grade: C- Round 3, Pick 85: Chiefs select California Golden Bears DB Nohl Williams Though I'm not sold on the trade that put Kansas City in a position to take Williams, I really don't hate the pick. Kansas City needed to add a ball hawk, and if Veach believes the former Golden Bear is a guy who can help the Chiefs force more turnovers next season, I'm all-in on him. Grade: B+ Round 4, Pick 133: Chiefs select Utah State Aggies WR Jalen Royals From an aesthetics perspective, I don't think there is anything cooler than having a Chiefs player with the last name "Royals," especially given that Patrick Mahomes (noted baseball aficionado and part-owner of the Kansas City Royals) will be his quarterback. It also doesn't hurt that Royals is a stud, and may be able to make meaningful contributions to the Chiefs' offense as a rookie. This is my favorite pick of the bunch. Grade: A Round 5: Chiefs trade up with Pittsburgh Steelers This trade only cost Kansas City a seventh-round pick and netted the Chiefs a valuable linebacker prospect. Kansas City had three seventh-rounders entering Day 3, so it made sense for Veach to make them available for a trade up like this. Grade: B+ Round 5, Pick 156: Oregon Ducks LB Jeffrey Bassa Bassa was a great value for Kansas City in Round 5, and the trade-up for him came at negligible cost. His selection came at a perfect time for the Chiefs to land a promising developmental prospect, and while Bassa isn't likely to see the field much as a linebacker during his rookie season, he should be able to earn a role on the Chiefs' special teams unit early in his career. Grade: A- Round 7: Chiefs trade up with New England Patriots This was another smart trade by Veach, even though it will likely prove to be inconsequential. Kansas City sent New England the No. 251 and No. 257 picks for the No. 228 selection in Round 7. Grade: B Round 7, Pick 228: Chiefs select Southern Methodist University Mustangs RB Brashard Smith Veach found star rusher Isiah Pacheco in Round 7 of the 2022 NFL draft, and may have found his next late-round gem in Smith. Though it is hard to predict how seventh-round picks will project as professionals, Smith has all the makings of a dynamic running back who could help Kansas City bridge a gap if Isiah Pacheco leaves the Chiefs in free agency next year. Grade: B+ Grading Brett Veach's overall performance If I'm being totally honest, I was underwhelmed by this draft class. Simmons, Norman-Lott, and Royals all had varying injury concerns that may have been what caused them to drop to the Chiefs, and it still feels like Kansas City is lacking some juice on both sides of the ball. For as much as I'm not excited right now, I've also learned to trust the process. Veach has proven to be adept at finding undervalued talent in the late rounds, and it is far too early to tell where each prospect will fit with the Chiefs next season. Grade: B
Yahoo
26-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
K.C. picks star prospects from Mizzou, K.U. in Chiefs Wire's final 7-round mock draft
The 2025 NFL draft starts tomorrow at 7 p.m. CST, and while it will take a few hours for the Kansas City Chiefs to make their first selection, fans should expect the defending AFC champions to select an exciting prospect in Round 1. Kansas City has several needs to address in the draft, and will need to leverage every asset it has to get back to the Super Bowl next season. Advertisement With a total of eight selections to make during the three-day event, Chiefs general manager Brett Veach is uniquely positioned to set Kansas City up for future success. Check out this full seven-round Chiefs mock draft that predicts Veach will address Kansas City's receiving corps in Round 1 before turning his attention to Steve Spagnuolo's defense on Day 2: Round 1, Pick 31: Missouri Tigers WR Luther Burden III Sep 16, 2023; Columbia, Missouri, USA; Missouri Tigers wide receiver Luther Burden III (3) runs with the ball against Kansas State Wildcats cornerback Will Lee III (8) during the first half at Faurot Field at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports There was a time when it would have been implausible for Burden to drop all the way to the end of the first round, but the former Mizzou star has seen his draft stock sink slowly over the last few months. Advertisement Now, it seems that Burden is destined to come off the board right around the time Kansas City is set to make its first pick (or even a little later!), and the Chiefs could get their chance to add another blue-chip receiver in their bid to win the AFC West arms race. Round 2, Pick 63: Toledo Rockets DT Darius Alexander DETROIT, MICHIGAN - DECEMBER 26: Darius Alexander #9 of the Toledo Rockets leaps to avoid Julian Dugger #12 of the Pittsburgh Panthers while turning an interception for a touchdown in the fourth quarter of the GameAbove Sports Bowl game at Ford Field on December 26, 2024 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by) The Chiefs' selections at No. 63 and No. 66 will make or break this draft for Kansas City's front office. By selecting Alexander here at the end of Round 2, Veach shores up the Chiefs' front-four and gives Chris Jones a rookie running-mate to mentor next season while Kansas City's defense reinvents itself. Round 3, Pick 66: Purdue Boilermakers OT Marcus Mbow Purdue Boilermakers offensive lineman Marcus Mbow (63) high-fives a fan Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024, during the NCAA football game between the Purdue Boilermakers and the Penn State Nittany Lions at Ross-Ade Stadium in West Lafayette, Ind. Mbow joins the Chiefs as a developmental tackle who may be able to contribute as a rookie if injuries affect Kansas City's depth next season. Advertisement If the Chiefs don't pick a tackle with one of their first or second-round picks, expect Veach to target a player like Mbow with the early third-round selection to ensure that Kansas City doesn't miss its chance to add a talented lineman. Round 3, Pick 95: Oklahoma Sooners DB Billy Bowman Oklahoma Sooners defensive back Billy Bowman Jr. (2) celebrates an interception in the first half of 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. The loss of veteran safety Justin Reid in free agency was a huge blow to Kansas City's defense, and while the Chiefs already have a stash of talented defensive backs under contract, the team could stand to add another here in Round 3. Bowman is a certified ball-hawk and a willing tackler who could ease into life in the NFL with one of the most exciting defensive backfields in the league. Round 4, Pick 133: Kansas Jayhawks RB Devin Neal Nov 23, 2024; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas running back Devin Neal (4) maneuvers past a diving during the Colorado defensive tackle Chidozie Nwankwo (97) in the 4th quarter between the Kansas Jayhawks and the Colorado Buffaloes at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nick Tre. Smith-Imagn Images This class is full of talented Jayhawks, and it would be malpractice for Veach to pass up on his chance to add a local talent to the Chiefs' offense. Advertisement A native of Lawrence, Kansas, Neal is an explosive running back prospect who could become a valuable asset for Kansas City when Isiah Pacheco's contract ends after the 2025 season. Round 7, Pick 226: Oregon Ducks LB Jeffrey Bassa Jan 1, 2024; Glendale, AZ, USA; Oregon Ducks linebacker Jeffrey Bassa (2) against the Liberty Flames during the 2024 Fiesta Bowl at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports Seventh-round picks are a shot in the dark, and if Bassa falls this far, there would be no downside for the Chiefs in selecting him. Kansas City doesn't necessarily need to come away from this draft with a linebacker, but depth is the name of the game in the NFL, and Bassa could have an outside shot to make the Chiefs' 53-man roster as a rookie. Round 7, Pick 251: Texas Longhorns EDGE Barryn Sorrell Jan 1, 2025; Atlanta, GA, USA; Arizona State Sun Devils quarterback Sam Leavitt (10) looks to pass the ball against Texas Longhorns linebacker Barryn Sorrell (88) during the first half of the Peach Bowl at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images Sorrell would be an ideal pick this late in Round 7, but it seems unlikely that he will fall this far. Advertisement Nonetheless, he projects as a late Day 3 pick, and if Kansas City has the chance to pick him up here, his selection would be a no-brainer. Round 7, Pick 257: BYU Cougars OT Caleb Etienne 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 Andy Reid won't let Veach get out of this event without taking a flyer on a BYU lineman. Last year, the Chiefs took Kingsley Suamataia in Round 2. This year, I'm predicting that Veach will wait until every other need is addressed before he gives Reid a chance to pick one of his pet prospects. This article originally appeared on Chiefs Wire: Chiefs pick Mizzou, K.U. stars in final 7-round mock draft
USA Today
25-04-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Watch Buckeyes OT Josh Simmons get his draft-night call from Chiefs GM Brett Veach
Watch Buckeyes OT Josh Simmons get his draft-night call from Chiefs GM Brett Veach Kansas City Chiefs general manager Brett Veach had to get creative to squeeze the most possible value out of his team's No. 31 pick in the 2025 NFL draft last night. In the end, Veach elected to trade down with the Philadelphia Eagles for the No. 32 selection, picking up Ohio State Buckeyes offensive tackle Josh Simmons and a fifth-round pick in exchange for Kansas City's original first-rounder. Though the Chiefs and Eagles made unlikely bedfellows, Kansas City's front office seemed to have achieved its ultimate objective of maximizing the team's flexibility in Round 1. Check out this video of Veach speaking to Simmons for the first time after selecting him with the No. 32 pick last night: It is evident from the video that Simmons and Veach are both equally jazzed about their new partnership, which could prove to be a huge stride toward getting Kansas City back to the Super Bowl next season. By choosing Simmons with the final selection in Round 1, the Chiefs' front office has effectively fixed Kansas City's offensive line on paper by securing an elite left tackle prospect while also stockpiling another pick for Day 3 of the 2025 NFL draft.
USA Today
25-04-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Chiefs GM Brett Veach on mindset after drafting a left tackle: 'Always chasing something'
Chiefs GM Brett Veach on mindset after drafting a left tackle: 'Always chasing something' During his press conference late Thursday night, Kansas City Chiefs general manager Brett Veach addressed his mindset moving forward in the draft after drafting left tackle Josh Simmons in the first round. "I mean, we've won a lot of games, and we've been fortunate to win some Super Bowls, too. But I think it's the evolution of where you are with picking late in the draft and guys not becoming available, cap-based issues, and it's one of those things where it would maybe be nice not to have to attack the left tackle issue year in and year out," said Veach. "As soon as you start to solve that issue, you're going to have a we don't have an edge guy, or we don't have a guard, or there's, it's always in a revolving door." The Chiefs used several players at left tackle last season, including Wanya Morris and Kingsley Suamataia. Veteran D.J. Humphries was signed late last year, and Joe Thuney moved from his guard position. Veach isn't done with improving the roster as the draft continues through the weekend in Green Bay. "That's the beauty of this league, which makes it awesome. These teams and games are so close, and you win by the margins, so you're always chasing something," said Veach. "As soon as we get a great left tackle, we can try to find another one to replace them. That's just the way it is, and so we're just fortunate that it worked out today for us. We got to get really excited about it. There's a lot of work ahead, but there's a lot to work with." Veach will enter day two of the draft with three listed picks as he continues to fill out the roster for the future.
