2025 NFL draft: Chiefs land blue chip Ohio State WR in expert mock

See which blue chip Ohio State WR the #Chiefs take in the first round of this mock draft from the experts at Pro Football Network.

The Kansas City Chiefs made significant investments in their receiving corps during the 2024 offseason, but injuries have depleted the group’s depth heading into Week 14.

Despite the additions of Marquise ‘Hollywood’ Brown, Xavier Worthy, DeAndre Hopkins, and JuJu Smith-Schuster, reigning Super Bowl MVP Patrick Mahomes could still use another pass-catcher who can keep opposing defenses guessing.

Luckily, the Chiefs will get their chance to add another outstanding wide receiver prospect in the 2025 NFL draft.

In a mock draft released by Pro Football Network last week, Kansas City doesn’t waste any time addressing its need at the position and selects Ohio State Buckeyes wideout Emeka Egbuka to shore up the depth of its receiving corps.

Take a look at what Pro Football Network’s Lead NFL Analyst Dalton Miller had to say about his decision to send Egbuka to the Chiefs in the first round:

“What if we took JuJu Smith-Schuster and made him better in almost ever distinguishable way? You’d probably have Amon-Ra St. Brown, or a player like Emeka Egbuka as a solid middle ground.

The Ohio State receiver doesn’t quite have the big-play ability of the top pass catchers, but the detail he possesses in his route running makes him a consistent separator. Egbuka has the frame and play strength to win on the outside, but his skill set makes him even more dangerous as a primary slot option.”

Through 12 games with the Buckeyes this season, Egbuka has tallied 60 catches for 743 yards and nine touchdowns.

Kansas City is expected to be among the last teams to make a first-round selection in the 2025 NFL draft, but if Egbuka is still on the board when the Chiefs are on the clock, general manager Brett Veach will have a hard time passing on the Ohio State standout.

Chiefs WR Marquise ‘Hollywood’ Brown reportedly could return for the regular-season finale

Kansas City #Chiefs WR Marquise ‘Hollywood’ Brown reportedly could return for the regular-season finale | @EdEastonJr

The Kansas City Chiefs are officially playoff-bound after their Week 13 victory and could be getting even better news for quarterback Patrick Mahomes in the next few weeks.

According to a report from NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, Chiefs wide receiver Marquise ‘Hollywood’ Brown could potentially return to the field for the season’s final weeks. The return is contingent on Brown meeting with his surgeon in Week 15 for final clearance on the status of his shoulder. He can return to the lineup before the Chiefs begin the postseason if he passes the tests.

The injury occurred on the veteran receiver’s lone drive in the first preseason game against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Chiefs V.P. of Sports Medicine and Performance Rick Burkholder revealed the following month that Brown’s injury didn’t heal correctly, requiring surgery after working with several specialists. Brown underwent successful surgery for his injured SC joint in September and was initially expected to miss the 2024 regular season.

The hopeful addition of Brown adds another weapon for Mahomes and gives fans the primary target they had been waiting for since his signing last offseason.

Chiefs HC Andy Reid avoids DeAndre Hopkins questions, gives update on veteran receiver

Kansas City #Chiefs head coach Andy Reid avoids DeAndre Hopkins questions, gives update on ‘Hollywood’ Brown | @EdEastonJr

Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid addressed the report of DeAndre Hopkins being acquired in a trade early Wednesday morning. Reid couldn’t legally comment on Hopkins because the league had not finalized the proposed trade before the press conference.

“(General Manager Brett) Veach is dealing with all that, so(I’m) hush on that,” said Reid immediately when asked at the top of his press conference on Wednesday. He made it very clear when reporters asked him again.

“I know nothing,” said Reid, sparking laughter in the room of reporters.

However, the long-time head coach was able to provide an injury update on Marquise’ Hollywood’ Brown as he continues his rehab after surgery last month.

“He’s (Hollywood Brown) doing great, that I can tell you, he’s doing great,” said Reid. “He seems to be on schedule or a little bit ahead of schedule. I can’t tell you that; I mean, I don’t know that. It’s going to be a while, though, but he’s a relentless worker. I can tell you that much, and I can tell you that he’s doing very well for what he’s got there.”

 Hopkins’s joining the Chiefs will boost the wide receiver room, which continues to deal with injuries. JuJu Smith-Schuster will be out this Sunday against the Raiders, and there isn’t any clear indication of when he can return from his hamstring injury.

Here are the details of the Chiefs’ DeAndre Hopkins trade

According to NFL insider Ian Rapoport, these are the full details of the #Chiefs’ trade for DeAndre Hopkins

The details of the Kansas City Chiefs trade for Tennessee Titans wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins have finally emerged.

The Chiefs have fallen victim to two unfortunate injuries to wide receivers Rashee Rice and Marquise ‘Hollywood’ Brown this season and were in desperate need of help.

After a trade for Hopkins was announced in the early hours of Wednesday morning, much was unknown about the Titans’ return for the veteran until Wednesday afternoon.

Though neither team has officially announced the deal, the details of the seemingly-agreed-upon terms were reported by NFL insider Ian Rapaport on Twitter.

Take a look at the full trade terms:

https://twitter.com/RapSheet/status/1849141952890987000

Kansas City has been looking for a replacement for their two-star receivers all season and a fourth or fifth-round pick seems like a bargain for a player who has earned All-Pro honors three times in his career.

It is still unknown if Hopkins will suit up for Sunday’s game against the Las Vegas Raiders, but look for the dynamic receiver to have an immediate impact for the Chiefs when he is back in action.

Trey Smith addresses media after Chiefs’ Week 7 win vs. 49ers

Check out what #Chiefs OL Trey Smith had to say to NFL reporter Darren Smith after Kansas City’s Week 7 win over the San Francisco #49ers.

Kansas City Chiefs guard Trey Smith is a versatile offensive lineman with a critical role in Andy Ried’s offensive scheme.

He played a critical role in helping the Chiefs’ running backs in Kansas City’s Week 7 win over the San Francisco 49ers and is among the team’s most indispensable offensive talents.

After Sunday’s victory over San Fransisco Trey Smith spoke to veteran NFL reporter Darren Smith in the Chiefs’ locker room to share his thoughts on Kansas City’s latest win.

Check out the full video of the lineman’s comments, which was posted to Twitter by Darren Smith on Sunday evening:

 

Though Smith doesn’t always get the recognition he deserves as an offensive lineman, his efforts will prove to be crucial for the Chiefs’ hopes of winning a third consecutive Super Bowl title after injuries have decimated Kansas City’s depth at the wide receiver positon.

Chiefs legend reflects on meeting Xavier Worthy in college: ‘He’s a very mature kid’

Kansas City #Chiefs legend Jamaal Charles reflects on meeting Xavier Worthy in college: ‘He’s a very mature kid’ | @EdEastonJr

The Kansas City Chiefs are off to an impressive undefeated 5-0 start to the season as they enjoy a bye week. The veterans and younger players have performed well, including their first-round pick this season.

Chiefs running back legend Jamaal Charles recently sat down for an interview with DJ Siddiqi of RG.org. He revealed his friendship with fellow Texas Longhorns alum Xavier Worthy and explained why the 21-year-old wide receiver is on his way to a successful career in the NFL.

“I’ve known Xavier (Worthy) since he was a freshman in college,” said Charles. “I always ran into him, always motivating him, always talking to him. He’s a great kid; he’s a very mature kid. I feel like when you start getting paid in college and NIL, you have to be mature because there’s a lot of people coming at you at an early age. I think he’s a good kid, and if he can keep his head straight and keep playing the way he’s playing on and off the field, I think he’s going to set himself up for a great career.”

Worthy has 12 catches for 179 yards, a touchdown as a receiver, six carries for 42 yards, and two touchdowns in the running game through five games. He has looked comfortable with the increased volume of targets and, game starts with the early injuries to ‘Hollywood’ Brown and Rashee Rice.

Chiefs WR ‘Hollywood’ Brown will reportedly miss the 2024 regular season

Kansas City #Chiefs WR ‘Hollywood’ Brown will reportedly miss the 2024 regular season | @EdEastonJr

The news early Friday morning that Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Marquise ‘Hollywood’ Brown had been placed on injured reserve appears to be only the beginning of the veteran’s troubles.

According to a report from ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Brown, who is expected to undergo surgery for his injured SC joint on Monday, will miss the entire 2024 regular season. The new information from Schefter is grim but not officially announced by the team. However, he details that due to recovery time, there is a chance he could play for the Chiefs in the postseason.

Chiefs head coach Andy Reid spoke with reporters about his thoughts and wishes for Brown as he deals with this unfortunate injury after one preseason game. Chiefs V.P. of Sports Medicine and Performance Rick Burkholder also said that Brown’s injury didn’t heal correctly, requiring surgery after several specialists worked with him over the past few weeks.

Brown signed a one-year contract with the Chiefs during the offseason to help lead the way in their receivers’ room. He formed a bond and chemistry with Patrick Mahomes and the younger receivers and strongly performed in training camp. His brief stint on the field for preseason on August 10th in Jacksonville is still his only moment in a game in a Chiefs uniform.

Chiefs Rick Burkholder, Andy Reid explain placing ‘Hollywood’ Brown on injured reserve

Kansas City #Chiefs Rick Burkholder, Andy Reid explain placing ‘Hollywood’ Brown on injured reserve | @EdEastonJr

On Friday, the Kansas City Chiefs announced that ‘Hollywood’ Brown would undergo surgery to repair his dislocated SC joint and be placed on injured reserve. The shocking decision was explained during the team’s press conference, which featured Chiefs V.P. of Sports Medicine and Performance Rick Burkholder and head coach Andy Reid.

“He was hurt on August 10th, and he had an injury that we’ve seen before. It was reduced, not surgically reduced, but reduced in Jacksonville. The protocol is that you look at that again in a week to make sure it’s still in place. It was, and then he was doing great in rehab.” said Burkholder. “He was having no pain. We were discussing return-to-play opportunities, but we had one last check of another image to do at three weeks from four weeks from the injury and three weeks from the last MRI, and it looked like the bone had moved.”

Brown was optimistic that he could return sooner rather than later after the initial injury comparisons to former Chiefs wide receiver Tyreek Hill in 2019 also against the Jacksonville Jaguars.

“So we consulted with three or four physicians in the country and then sent him out to Vail to a specialist. And everybody involved felt like it was a little too risky for him to play without having this operated on,” said Burkholder. “So he’ll be fixed on Monday in Vail, Colorado, and then we’ll go from there. There’s obviously no timelines because we don’t, we don’t know yet.”

Chiefs head coach mentioned that Brown was the only injury on the report this week while offering support to the veteran receiver in his recovery process.

“Our thoughts are perfect with Hollywood, great kid,” said Reid. Nobody wanted to do this more than he did, so our hearts go out to him, but he’ll get himself back and ready to go down the road here whenever that time is. We don’t know exactly how long that’ll be, but it takes a pretty extended amount of time.”

Reid says he feels good about the team’s depth at receiver while Brown is unavailable. He jokingly said he probably wouldn’t use any receivers in his next visit to Jacksonville to play the Jaguars.

Chiefs to place WR Marquise ‘Hollywood’ Brown on injured reserve

According to a report, the Kansas City #Chiefs are set to place WR Marquise ‘Hollywood’ Brown on injured reserve.

According to a report by NFL insider Jordan Schultz on Friday, the Kansas City Chiefs are set to place veteran wide receiver Marquise ‘Hollywood’ Brown on injured reserve, putting him out for at least the next four games.

The Chiefs acquired the former Arizona Cardinal in the 2024 offseason to add speed and experience to a receiving corps that desperately needed both.

The team hoped Brown would immediately make an impact in head coach Andy Reid’s offense, but after he sustained an injury in Week 1 of the preseason, the speedster has been forced to the sideline.

Take a look at Schultz’s report below:

https://twitter.com/Schultz_Report/status/1834612540896370993

Brown’s continued absence could become an issue for Kansas City’s offense moving forward and is something for fans to keep their eyes on as the regular season progresses.

Expect the Chiefs’ young receiving corps to step up in Brown’s absence as the team prepares to host the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday.

Chiefs WR ‘Hollywood’ Brown didn’t practice on Wednesday while recovering from injury 

Kansas City #Chiefs WR ‘Hollywood’ Brown didn’t practice on Wednesday while recovering from injury | @EdEastonJr

The Kansas City Chiefs’ offense was efficient in their Week 1 victory over the Baltimore Ravens last week without vital offseason signing ‘Hollywood’ Brown.

Chiefs head coach Andy Reid spoke to the media about his veteran receiver, the only player not practicing on Wednesday due to his shoulder injury recovery.

“As far as the injuries go. Really, the only person is ‘Hollywood,’ (which) is the only one that’s banged up there,” said Reid. “So he’s continuing to rehab, but he won’t be out there today.”

Reid would explain the extent of Brown’s shoulder recovery and not make a timetable for his return to the field.

“They all set a little different. It’s something that has to move to get back into place from what I understand,” said Reid. “I’m not a physician by any means. You’re talking just centimeters of it being off can be a problem. So you want to make sure those things are healed and in the right spot.”

Brown is another dynamic weapon in the Chiefs’ offense. He is a proven veteran who can step in with immediate contributions. He has collected 3,644 receiving yards and 28 career touchdowns playing for the Baltimore Ravens and Arizona Cardinals.