2024 CAMP GUIDE KANSAS CITY CHIEFS ROOKIES
By Calvin Silvers
XAVIER WORTHY (#1)
Round 1, No. 28 overall
WIDE RECEIVER, Texas
The Chiefs spent their first round pick (No. 28) on Worthy, who received third-team Associated Press All-American honors in 2023. The Chiefs will now have Worthy and Marquise ‘Hollywood’ Brown to stretch the field.
Worthy broke the NFL scouting combine record with a 40-yard dash of 4.21 seconds. He uses his elite speed to battle despite a thin frame. Worthy should find separation if allowed to explore vertically or across the hashes against man coverage. But he will need to continue to improve his strength to excel against press coverage. In 2023, Worthy started 14 games. He had 75 receptions, 1,014 receiving yards and five receiving touchdowns for the Longhorns.
“Everybody thought the NFL was never going to let the Chiefs get to me,” Worthy said. “But I’m here. I’m excited, man, just to be able to play with Pat. It’s amazing just to be able to have that quarterback that wants you. That means they’re obviously going to try to find a way to get you the ball and make you a part of the offense.”
Kingsley Suamataia (#76)
Round 2, No. 63 overall
TACKLE, BYU
The Chiefs elected to stay on the offensive side of the ball with their second overall pick, as general manager Brett Veach wanted to keep bolstering the offensive line to make sure Patrick Mahomes is as protected as possible in the pocket.
The 6’ 5”, 326-pound tackle will join an offensive line that lost last year’s starting left tackle Donovan Smith to free agency.
Suamataia has good size and adequate play strength, but sloppy hand placement at times limits his control and consistency as both a run and pass blocker. He will likely excel in handling more move-blocking duties in outside zone and space.
In his last season at BYU, Suamataia was Second-Team All-Big 12. He started 11 games, only missing the season finale due to injury.
“… Offensive tackle Kingsley out of BYU, is an absolute stud of an athlete, one of the biggest, strongest guys I’ve ever seen on film,” Kelce said.
JARED WILEY (#12)
Round 4, No. 131 overall
TIGHT END, TCU
The Chiefs, looking to continue to supply Patrick Mahomes with weapons, went the tight end route, a position that saw the most receiving yards for the team last season.
At 6’ 6”, 249-pounds, Wiley boasts a taller frame both in size and wing span, making him great to line up in-line or as a move tight end.
Wiley took advantage of his last year for the Horned Frogs, finishing the year with 47 receptions for 520 yards (11.1 per rec.) and eight scores in 12 starts.
Wiley’s catch talent and ability to fight through contact stood out to the Chiefs, and with a productive but aging Travis Kelce, Wiley could be the answer for the future.
Jaden Hicks (#21)
Round 4, No. 133 overall
SAFETY, Washington State
The Chiefs took a hit to their secondary this offseason, losing L’Jarius Sneed to Tennessee in free agency. To try and counter this loss, the team looked to safety Jaden Hicks to strengthen the backfield. Hicks had productive moments not only in the regular season but during the Reese’s Senior Bowl.
Hicks has a high IQ and isn’t afraid of contact. He plays in the box, becoming an add-on run defender, but can also be a cover man. More importantly, he can line up over pass-catching tight ends.
He earned Honorable Mention All-Pac 12. He started in 12 games with 79 tackles, six for loss, two interceptions, and four pass breakups in 14 starts.
The Chiefs are feeling confident with their young, hungry defensive back room.
HUNTER NOURZAD (#60)
Round 5, No. 159 overall
CENTER, Penn State
The Chiefs used more draft capital this offseason to bolster their offensive line, adding high-floor center prospect Nourzad to the mix.
The versatile Nourzad played center, guard and tackle at various points in college, but the Chiefs project him playing among interior positions in the NFL.
Last season, Nourzad started all 13 games in the center position, tallying Second-team All-Big Ten Conference. He is described as broad and powerful with adequate length. He also possesses NFL-caliber core strength, technique and body control.
Nourzad has the feel and footwork for all run-blocking schemes and is strong enough to deal with a 0-technique lined up over him.
Kamal Hadden (#17)
Round 6, No. 211 overall
CORNERBACK, Tennessee
The Chiefs have invested heavily in the cornerback position in the previous two drafts with five different selections, so Hadden might not get immediate playing time.
Hadden had seven starts last season before missing the rest of the year with a shoulder injury. Despite this, he led the team with eight pass breakups and tied the team lead with three interceptions. He also tallied 19 tackles.
C.J. Hanson (#61)
Round 7, No. 248 overall
GUARD, Holy Cross
Hanson is a three-year starter at the guard position. He plays with terrific technique and gets into phase 1 of his pass and run blocks with good balance and positioning.
The 6’ 5”, 300-pound offensive lineman garnered First-Team All-Patriot League honors, starting in 11 games at the right guard position while being named a team captain.
