POD Community Mock Draft: With the 31st pick, the Chiefs select…

With the 31st pick in the Pride of Detroit Community Mock Draft, the Kansas City Chiefs select…

Our Pride of Detroit 2025 Community Mock Draft is nearing the end of the first round (we’re doing two full rounds), and as is typically the case, the Kansas City Chiefs are one of the final teams to pick.

Their three-peat was thwarted by the Philadelphia Eagles in embarrassing fashion, leaving the Chiefs with a pretty big chip on their shoulder heading into 2025 season. You know they’re going to use that, saying they’re being disrespected or whatever nonsense Patrick Mahomes and company need for some extra motivation.

Anyways, commenter twon82 is in charge of the Chiefs’ pick in this year’s draft. Before we get into it, make sure you’re up to date on the previous 30 picks with our 2025 POD Community Mock Draft tracker.

With the 31st pick in the Pride of Detroit Community Mock Draft, the Kansas City Chiefs have selected…

Grey Zabel, offensive lineman out of North Dakota State.

Here’s twon82 explaining the pick:

The Kansas City Chiefs once again find themselves drafting at the end of the first round, thanks to another trip to the Super Bowl. One of the glaring issues the Chiefs face is how to solidify their offensive line, which was already shaky during their season and into the playoff run. Then, enter the loss of Joe Thuney and you can’t ignore the gap any longer. Despite fairing well enough to not spoil a third straight trip to the Super Bowl, they must make sure they are protecting their golden goose in Patrick Mahomes moving forward. They will need help at both the tackle and guard positions, and this will be a great spot to begin to address it.

At the 31st draft spot, there are a few different options to address the offensive trenches, including Ohio State teammates Josh Simmons (OT) and Donovan Jackson (OG). Both would surely be complements to the line in KC. However, my preference here would be Grey Zabel, OG out of North Dakota State. Zabel has risen in the draft boards quickly as a favorite to go in the first or early second round due to his versatility and size. Though he is primarily seen as an interior lineman by many, he is perfectly capable of moving along the line to the tackle positions.

In Kansas City, Zabel can absolutely compete and win at multiple spots along the offensive line. He can serve as a building block for the line to add around and give the Chiefs’ front office some flexibility in who they bring in to complement him. Pairing Zabel with Creed Humphrey and Trey Smith can help bring some much needed stability to the OL room and help Mahomes feel more comfortable behind them.

What do you think of this pick? Give it a grade in the poll below, then scroll down to the comment section to explain your grade.