Chiefs targeting key position in NFL Draft to help franchise icon and send Patrick Mahomes back to Super Bowl

One of the best teams in the NFL has a roster filled with holes.

Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce returned to the Super Bowl last season.

But Andy Reid's team was dominated by the Philadelphia Eagles, trailing 34-0 while the dream of a historic three-peat fell apart.

The Chiefs began their dynasty by acquiring Mahomes and Kelce through the NFL Draft.

As the first round for the 2025 version approaches, there's only one position that Kansas City can afford to ignore.

"Anything but quarterback should be on the table for them," ESPN NFL Draft analyst Matt Miller exclusively told talkSPORT.

"It's wild how many needs that team had versus how many games they won."

Mahomes, Kelce and Reid combined to go 15-2 last year.

But game after game was won in the final minutes, and it was obvious in Super Bowl LIX that the Chiefs couldn't hang with Jalen Hurts, Saquon Barkley and the world champion Eagles.

Miller believes that Kansas City could find its "tight end of the future" in the draft, with the 35-year-old Kelce considering retirement the last two offseasons.

But for all of their talent, the Chiefs are also staring at a variety of positions that must be improved.

That starts with the No. 31 overall pick in the first round.

Ongoing needs at wide receiver and offensive line could be targeted in the first round.

"Isiah Pacheco seemed to really lose a step after injury last year," Miller said.

But with the Chiefs giving up 40 points in the Super Bowl and being shredded by the Eagles' offense, the ESPN analyst sees defense as the biggest need for Reid's aging team.

Chris Jones, a six-time Pro Bowler, turns 31 in July and will be entering his 10th season.

"It's defensive tackle next to Chris Jones," Miller said.

"They need a defensive end opposite (George) Karlaftis. They re-signed Nick Bolton, so linebacker you feel like is OK. But corner and safety were kind of weak spots last year. So they could go numerous directions."

Miller specifically pointed out defensive line in the draft, while highlighting three potential prospects who could be ideal fits for Kansas City.

"Early in Brett Veach's career as general manager, he spent back-to-back second-round picks on defensive linemen who never really got onto the field," Miller said.

"And so that is a position where I think they would now like the opportunity to fix that.

"Walter Nolen from Ole Miss would be so much fun next to Chris Jones to have that speed.

"Derrick Harmon from Oregon would be another fit. ... This is a very strong defensive end class.

"Unfortunately, we might see a run on those guys early. If somehow Mike Green from Marshall is there, certainly having that speed off the edge would be really, really important for them."

The Chiefs are still one of the best teams in the NFL, and Mahomes isn't going anywhere.

But Kansas City's dynasty is at a crossroads, and the 2025 draft is critical to keep the Chiefs and their Super Bowl QB moving forward for years to come.