A s the 2025 NFL Draft kicks off Thursday night in Detroit, all eyes will be on the Kansas City Chiefs and their 31st overall pick.

Following a heartbreaking Super Bowl loss to the Philadelphia Eagles, Kansas City enters the draft looking to reload, not rebuild. The franchise has consistently been linked to reinforcing the offensive line-a strategy aimed at giving star quarterback Patrick Mahomes more time and protection in the pocket.

One name has been a constant in recent mock drafts: Oregon offensive tackle Josh Conerly Jr. With analysts widely projecting an O-line selection, Conerly appears to be a perfect fit.

Why Josh Conerly Jr. could anchor the Chiefs' line

Josh Conerly Jr. brings a mix of athleticism, discipline, and high-upside potential that makes him one of the more exciting offensive line prospects in this year's draft. At 6'5" and 311 pounds, he combines size with surprising quickness.

His performance at the NFL Combine turned heads-posting a 5.05-second 40-yard dash and a 34.5-inch vertical, metrics that underline his explosiveness off the snap.

While at Oregon, Conerly started every game in his final season and allowed just a single sack across more than 500 pass-blocking snaps. His footwork and ability to hold the edge make him especially valuable in pass protection, a must-have skill when protecting a high-caliber quarterback like Mahomes.

Conerly's strengths are clear in the passing game, but there's still some room to grow in his run blocking. Scouts have noted occasional lapses against physically dominant defenders. That said, his athletic profile and adaptability suggest he'll develop quickly under NFL coaching.

For the Chiefs, drafting Conerly would not only address a key area of need but also position them well for another deep postseason run. As Mahomes continues to drive Kansas City's success, fortifying the offensive line with a player of Conerly's caliber could be the key to returning to the Super Bowl-and this time, finishing the job.