Perfect Picks: Kansas City Chiefs

With the NFL Draft approaching we will be looking at each team and evaluating where they need to improve. In this particular series we will run a seven round mock using the Draft Network Mock machine and find the ‘Perfect Picks’ for each franchise.

We will highlight five players that could help each team. This will include a ‘flex’ pick where we give you two ways a potential pick could go depending on how the board falls. All in all you will get picks 1 and 2, a mid round gem and a late round sleeper. The final team to pick on Day 1 will be reigning Superbowl champions the Kansas City Chiefs.

The Chiefs were the one team who achieved their ultimate aim last season. With Patrick Mahomes at the helm, head coach Andy Reid guided them to a Superbowl victory. Reaching the top of the mountain is the hardest part but staying there will likely be as tough of an ask. With Mahomes expecting a monster deal anytime soon it’s vital Brett Veach and co build around him with cheap, young talent. In 2020, Kansas City only has five picks so it will be vital they make the most of them.

Round 1 - Pick 32 - Jaylon Johnson, CB, Utah

Chiefs
(Photo Credit: bleacherreport.com)

The most glaring need on the Chiefs roster still appears to be at cornerback. While Charvarius Ward solidified one spot they still need to add depth in the secondary. Juan Thornhill and Tyrann Mathieu are a great tandem at safety so the right man at corner would complete the rebuild of the passing defense.

At pick 32, the Chiefs will likely have seen most of the top-end cornerback prospects come off the board. For this reason, they should probably look to trade back and accumulate extra picks while targeting their favourite tier two guy. As that wasn’t an option in this mock, we selected our favourite in Jaylon Johnson. 

Johnson is likely to fall out of tier 1 for the position due to his athletic limitations. His combine testing wasn’t bad but his speed doesn’t jump out on tape. What does is his physicality and desire to mix it with top receivers. Johnson can play press coverage and has an eye for the ball. Although he wouldn’t represent great value with pick 32, he would make sense as a trade back target.

Flex Pick - Pick 32 - D'Andre Swift, RB, Georgia

After Kareem Hunt was cut from the Chiefs, it would have been understandable to see the offense take a step back. Damien Williams though proved to be a more than adequate replacement, with a particularly impressive showing in the Superbowl. Despite his heroics, he moves into the last year of a cheap deal in 2020.

That’s why it would be understandable for the Chiefs to be tempted to add further star power in the shape of D’Andre Swift. Swift is the draft’s most versatile running back. The Georgia Bulldog is a silky runner who isn’t scared to run it up the gut. Adding him to an offense that contains Tyreek Hill, Travis Kelce and Mecole Hardman would be mouth watering.

Round 2 - Pick 63 - J.K. Dobbins, RB, Ohio State

Having plumped for Johnson with the Chiefs’ first rounder, the thought of running back was put on the back burner. However, when pick 63 came around it was impossible not to jump on the talent still left on the board.

J.K. Dobbins is a little more squat than Swift but is also a three down back. His shifty feet and big play ability mean he should thrive in the NFL. Being able to address their primary need of cornerback as well as picking up an elite running back seems to be the better value route than going for Swift with pick 32.

Mid Round Gem - Pick 96 - Anfernee Jennings, Edge, Alabama

Chiefs
(Photo Credit: rolltide.com)

The Chiefs pass rush will be made up predominantly from the interior force of Chris Jones and defensive end Frank Clark. Outside of that they will expect contributions from a few other versatile pass rush options. Adding depth here should be on the list of priorities for the Chiefs. There will likely be plenty of mid round options available.

Alabama outside linebacker Anfernee Jennings fits the bill at pick 96. His injury and consistency concerns are likely to put off some suitors but he offers value at this point. On his day Jennings was one of the top pass rushers in the country. He has speed off the edge and violent hands to disengage. His ability to play with his hand in the ground or as a stand up 3-4 backer make him a good fit for the Chiefs.

Late Round Sleeper - Pick 138 - Logan Wilson, LB, Wyoming

Disclaimer: this is a bit of a cheat’s pick. Pick 138 can’t technically be considered a late round sleeper. However, we chose to use a bit of poetic license due to the Chiefs’ lack of picks. Wyoming’s Logan Wilson is another addition that would likely bolster this Championship winning defense.

Wilson is a solid all-round linebacker. Although there is some talent at the top of the class, Wilson’s versatility could see him drafted higher than this in the real thing. Wilson is an instinctual run defender, whose wrap up tackling and speed to the ball carrier are major plusses. He has the added ability to drop in pass coverage, something that all modern day linebackers need to be considered valuable. A dependable special teamer with long term starting potential.

Draft in full

32. Jaylon Johnson (CB)

63. J.K. Dobbins (RB)

96. Anfernee Jennings (Edge)

138. Logan Wilson (LB)

177. Darryl Williams (iOL)

Mock Draft

Rory-Joe Daniels

Cfb contributor

formerly writing for the inside zone, rory will be breaking down college tape and keeping you up-to-date with all things CFB for the touchdown. an avid bengals fan, you can also find some of rory’s work at stripehype.com

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