A Closer Look at Chiefs GM Brett Veach's First-Round Draft Picks

Veach has made six first-round selections since becoming the Chiefs' GM in 2018, with mixed results so far.

Apr. 10, 2026 at 12:19pm

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A fragmented, geometric painting depicting the chaotic action of an American football game, with players and the field broken down into sharp, overlapping planes of color representing the Kansas City Chiefs and their opponents.A cubist interpretation of the strategic chess match between NFL general managers, with the Chiefs' Brett Veach navigating the high-stakes draft process to build a championship roster.Kansas City Today

Since becoming the Kansas City Chiefs' general manager in 2018, Brett Veach has made six first-round draft selections. While some have panned out well, like cornerback Trent McDuffie, others have struggled with injuries and inconsistency, like wide receiver Xavier Worthy and defensive end Felix Anudike-Uzomah. This article takes a closer look at Veach's first-round picks and how they've fared in the NFL so far.

Why it matters

As the Chiefs' GM, Veach's first-round draft choices are crucial in building a championship-caliber roster around star quarterback Patrick Mahomes. An analysis of his track record in the first round provides insight into Veach's decision-making and the team's ability to identify and develop top talent.

The details

Veach's six first-round picks since 2018 include offensive tackle Josh Simmons (2022), wide receiver Xavier Worthy (2024), defensive end Felix Anudike-Uzomah (2023), cornerback Trent McDuffie (2022), defensive end George Karlaftis (2022), and running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire (2020). While Simmons and McDuffie have shown promise, Worthy and Anudike-Uzomah have struggled with injuries and inconsistency. Karlaftis has been a consistent contributor, and Edwards-Helaire had a strong rookie season but has since dealt with various health issues.

  • Veach has headed the Chiefs' draft since 2018, although the team's trade to select Patrick Mahomes in 2017 prevented Veach from drafting in the first round until 2020.
  • Simmons was a darkhorse candidate for NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year before a season-ending wrist injury in November 2025.
  • Worthy had a down year in 2025 after a strong rookie season, in part due to a Week 1 collision with teammate Travis Kelce.
  • Anudike-Uzomah has had two less-than-stellar seasons and a preseason hamstring injury that landed him on IR in 2025.
  • Karlaftis signed a four-year, $88 million contract extension with the Chiefs in July 2025.

The players

Josh Simmons

An offensive tackle from Ohio State, Simmons was the 32nd overall pick in 2022. He grabbed the starting left tackle job as a rookie and was on track for a decorated NFL career before a season-ending wrist injury in November 2025.

Xavier Worthy

A wide receiver from Texas, Worthy was the 28th overall pick in 2024. He had a strong rookie season but struggled in 2025, in part due to a Week 1 collision with teammate Travis Kelce.

Felix Anudike-Uzomah

A defensive end from Kansas State, Anudike-Uzomah was the 31st overall pick in 2023. He has had two less-than-stellar seasons and a preseason hamstring injury that landed him on IR in 2025.

Trent McDuffie

A cornerback from Washington, McDuffie was the 21st overall pick in 2022. He is considered Veach's best first-round selection, with the Chiefs trading him for four valuable draft choices, including an additional first-rounder in 2026.

George Karlaftis

A defensive end from Purdue, Karlaftis was the 30th overall pick in 2022. He is the only remaining player from the Chiefs' 10-player 2022 draft class and signed a four-year, $88 million contract extension in July 2025.

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What they’re saying

“The Packers were always going to need a starting left tackle in 2026, because they're not likely to re-sign Rasheed Walker and who knows if Jordan Morgan can play there. So even if Simmons wouldn't have started for Green Bay in 2025, he would have solidified Jordan Love's blindside protection moving forward.”

— Rob Demovsky, ESPN beat writer

“Before a season-ending wrist injury in November, Simmons allowed a pressure rate of 6.6%, the third-lowest mark among left tackles.”

— Rob Demovsky, ESPN beat writer

What’s next

Assuming Josh Simmons returns to form protecting Patrick Mahomes after his season-ending wrist injury, he will have solidified himself as one of Brett Veach's top three first-round picks as Chiefs GM.

The takeaway

Brett Veach's first-round draft record as Chiefs GM has been a mixed bag, with some hits like Trent McDuffie and George Karlaftis, but also some misses like the injury-plagued seasons of Xavier Worthy and Felix Anudike-Uzomah. The development of players like Josh Simmons will be crucial in determining the long-term success of Veach's first-round selections.