The Kansas City Chiefs are our next destination in our mock draft series. With not many needs compared to other teams, who will they select with their draft picks this year?
Picks
- Round 1, Pick 32: WR Ladd McConkey, Georgia
- Round 2, Pick 64: DL Kris Jenkins, Michigan
- Round 3, Pick 98 (traded for pick 95 with Steelers): WR Brenden Rice, USC
- Round 4, Pick 119 (traded for pick 95 with Steelers): CB Cam Hart, Notre Dame
- Round 4, Pick 131: T Javon Foster, Missouri
- Round 5, Pick 159: DL Tyler Davis, Clemson
- Round 5, Pick 173: CB Tarheeb Still, Maryland
- Round 7, Pick 221: C Dylan McMahon, North Carolina State
Explanation of Picks
Wide receiver was a major need for the Chiefs, despite them adding Marquise Brown in free agency. Marquez Valdes-Scantling left in free agency (not like it mattered too much). Rasheed Rice could face serious trouble after the car accident he was involved in not too long ago. Kadarius Toney is… Kadarius Toney. And, Justin Watson as the WR1/WR2 again? Yeah, that’s what I thought.
So, right away, I took the best receiver that was on the board at pick 32. McConkey won’t be much of an outside receiver, which is fine. That’ll be addressed later.
His quickness and burst off the line are great, and his yards-after-catch ability makes him stand out. He’s not crazy fast in terms of long speed, but it’s good enough to sometimes play on the outside. Automatically, he replaces Watson as the WR3 with the potential to be so much more.
Jenkins fills in the DL need in round two. He holds his own against double teams. Being next to Chris Jones means a duo that will cause headaches for offensive linemen.
Why Trade Down?
Next, I traded down three spots with the Steelers (along with getting a fourth-rounder) and still was able to draft WR Brenden Rice. The more weapons, the better right?
The son of Jerry Rice, he shows good long speed, solid route runner, and can gain separation at all levels of the field. Add in his 6’3″ frame, and he could be a dangerous weapon for Patrick Mahomes. If Rashee Rice were to miss any time, the rookie could fill in nicely in my opinion in his place.
On day three, Hart comes in to serve as cornerback help. Even though the position could have been addressed early in the draft, I believe the coaching staff will develop Hart into one of the best cornerbacks in the league (as they did with Charvarius Ward and L’Jarius Sneed). At 6’2″, 207 lbs, he has great length and size to help in press coverage. Add in that he is a competitive player, and he will be a difference-maker.
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