Chiefs’ first-round pick in Mel Kiper Jr.’s ESPN mock draft would end ignominious streak

It’s been a long, long time since an Indiana Hoosiers football player has been selected in the first round of the NFL Draft.

The New York Giants picked wide receiver Thomas Lewis with the 24th overall pick in 1994, but no Hoosiers player has heard their name called in the first round since then.

That’s the second-longest first-round drought for a Power Five school, but it’s not remotely close to No. 1.

Iowa State owns that inglorious record. It’s been a whopping 50 years since the Cyclones’ one and only player was picked in the first round of the NFL Draft.

The Houston Oilers chose running back George Amundson with the 14th overall pick in 1973, the last time fans heard Iowa State uttered in the first round of an NFL Draft.

Other than Indiana, every other Power Five school has had a player selected in the first round in his century.

But Iowa State’s ignominious streak could end this year thanks to the Chiefs.

In his latest mock draft, ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. sees the Chiefs taking Iowa State defensive end Will McDonald IV with the 31st pick in the 2023 NFL Draft.

Here is part of what Kiper wrote: “The McDonald stat I love most? He had 10 career forced fumbles. He gets to quarterbacks but also understands how to create turnovers. (Will Anderson Jr. had just one forced fumble in his career at Alabama.) McDonald is an explosive player with a high ceiling. The Super Bowl champs could add him to the edge rotation with George Karlaftis and free agent addition Charles Omenihu.”

Other mocks

A trade with the Giants moves the Chiefs to No. 25 overall in Chad Reuter’s mock draft on NFL.com. With the pick, the Chiefs take Tennessee wide receiver Jalin Hyatt.

Reuter wrote: “The Chiefs move up six spots, sending the Giants a late third-round pick (No. 95) in the process, to secure Hyatt’s downfield speed and after-the-catch ability before the Cowboys can do the same.”

The Chiefs select Georgia tight end Darnell Washington in a mock draft from CBS Sports’ Ryan Wilson.

This is a snippet from his story: “While he’s growing into his role as a receiver, he’s essentially another offensive tackle when he’s inline. Basically, he’d serve two roles in Kansas City: receiver in a high-powered offense and an extra blocker.”

The Chiefs pick Oklahoma tackle Anton Harrison in the first round of a mock draft from the Athletic’s Nick Baumgardner.