Regrading The Kansas City Chiefs 2021 NFL Draft Class (5 Years Later)

For the Chiefs to have been a dynasty, they needed to draft well and protect the quarterback. The 2021 NFL Draft is proof of that, as it was a very good class for the organization. After 5 years lets reflect on the Kansas City Chiefs 2021 class.

What Happened To The Cheifs 1st Round Pick?

The Kansas City Chiefs did not make a pick in Round 1 for a good reason. That pick was traded in order to acquire OT Orlando Brown Jr. He was holding out and wanted a new contract, and the Chiefs sent an offer that the Baltimore Ravens could not refuse. The Details of the trade are below

Kansas City Chiefs Acquired

OT Orlando Brown Jr
2021 2nd Round Pick (58th Overall)
2022 6th Round Pick

The Two Picks Above Turned Into LB Nick Bolton And OG Darian Kinnard.

Baltimore Ravens Acquired

2021 1st Round Pick (31st Overall)
2021 3rd Round Pick (78th Overall)
2021 4th Round Pick (136th Overall)
2022 5th Round Pick

Fun fact: the picks above that the Ravens got became Odafe “Jayson” Oweh (31st Overall), OG Ben Cleveland (78th Overall), CB Marco Wilson (136th Overall), and Marcus McKethan (2022 5th Round Pick).

Round 2, Pick 58 – LB Nick Bolton (Missouri)

The first pick the Chiefs used was on Nick Bolton, and it was a phenomenal pick. Bolton is one of the key pieces on that Kansas City Chiefs defense. The stats don’t lie in general, and he was phenomenal in 2023 when he made 180 combined tackles, 2 sacks, 2 interceptions, and 3 pass deflections in a single season. This was a slam dunk A+ pick, and Bolton deserves that 3-year $45 million contract.

Round 2, Pick 63 – C Creed Humphrey (Oklahoma) – Grade A+

Easily the best pick in the Draft, the Chiefs made as Creed Humphery is the best center in the NFL today, and it’s not even close. He is both an anchor and a leader of that offensive line. A strong pass protector and run stopper. He signed a 4-year deal with the organization and is a multiple first-team All-Pro and Pro Bowler. Humphery is one of the key pieces to that squad, and it’s telling that he was one of the few pieces the Chiefs kept in this current retool.

Day 3 Was Solid As Notable Names Were Drafted By Chiefs

Sep 28, 2025; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Chiefs guard Trey Smith (65) at the line of scrimmage against the Baltimore Ravens during the game at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-Imagn Images

The Chiefs had 4 picks in Day 3. They used picks on Joshua Kaindoh and Cornell Powell who did not pan out, but the other two picks did. Those two names are TE Noah Gray and OG Trey Smith.

Noah Gray is one of the Chiefs’ hidden gems on that offense. He has mainly been a rotational piece on that offense, but he has made some key blocks on that team. While 2026 was a down year for Gray, with a dismal stat line of 21 receptions for 178 receiving yards. He was still a solid contributor on that team, especially in 2024 when he had 40 receptions for 437 yards and 5 touchdowns.

The best pick on Day 3 was Trey Smith. The Chiefs used a 6th round draft pick on him and he has panned out as one of the best guards in the league. Along with being a 2 time Pro Bowler, he has been a phenomenal piece to that offensive line as a run blocker and pass protector. He even got a nice 4-year extension with the team as well.

Kansas City Chiefs 2021 Draft Class Overall Grade – A

This was a really good draft class by the Chiefs. Especially with how they bolstered the offensive line with Trey Smith and Creed Humphery. Heck, the Orlando Brown trade even panned out, too. Defensively, they got a main piece in Nick Bolton in round 2. Even Noah Gray has been a solid contributor for the franchise.

While Joshua Kaindoh and Cornell Powell didn’t pan out, this draft was a phenomenal one by the Chiefs. The class deserves an A grade here.