Chiefs mock draft 2.0: Shaking it up with a linebacker for the Super Bowl champs at 32
With a little more than two weeks to go before the 2020 NFL Draft, which is scheduled for April 23-25, it’s time to dive into another mock that examines players who would make sense for the Chiefs.
The Star published its first 2020 mock draft last week. Keep in mind as we take a second crack that mock drafts should be viewed as an educational process to learn about players.
It can’t be stressed enough that there is no exact science to mock drafts. How a team views a position group or player often differs from opinions held by the media and fans.
With that out of the way, the following mock draft highlights players who’d fill specific needs as the Chiefs look to make a run at another Super Bowl championship.
Round 1 (32nd overall): LB Zack Baun, Wisconsin
After going with a cornerback in our first mock draft, it’s time to shake it up at this spot with another position of need.
Should he be available at this stage of the first round, the 6-foot-2, 238-pound Baun fills could arguably be the best player available for the Chiefs.
Baun was a dual-threat quarterback in high school and never played defense until college, but his high level of athleticism transitioned well to outsinge linebacker, especially in his final two seasons at Wisconsin.
While Baun finished his collegiate career with just 98 total tackles, including 30.5 for a loss, 89 of those tackles and 27 tackles for losses came in 2018-19. Baun also totaled 15 sacks in his final two years to go along with two interceptions and four passes defensed en route to an All-Big Ten selection in 2019.
The Chiefs need an every-down linebacker who’s capable in coverage and possesses good pass-rushing skills. Baun checks the boxes.
Mock 1.0 selection: CB Jaylon Johnson, Utah
Round 2 (63rd overall): CB Bryce Hall, Virginia
By going with a linebacker on their first pick, the Chiefs need to grab a cornerback capable of immediately starting. And they could find one in Hall.
The 6-foot-1, 202-pound Hall, a former college teammate of Juan Thornhill at Virginia, has the size to play press-man coverage and has displayed some ball-hawking skills — he had 38 pass breakups in four seasons with the Cavaliers. He had a head-turning 21 passes defensed in 2018 and finished his college career with 98 total tackles, four sacks and five interceptions.
Kansas City’s need at cornerback is highlighted by the departure of Kendall Fuller, who signed with Washington during free agency. Additionally, Bashaud Breeland remains on the open market as a free agent, leaving Charvarius Ward as the lone starting cornerback returning from last year’s Super Bowl-winning team.
The Chiefs signed cornerback Antonio Hamilton, a special teams ace, in free agency. But using the draft to bolster competition and fill a need makes sense within the first two rounds.
Mock 1.0 selection: RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire, LSU
Round 3 (96th overall): OL Robert Hunt, Louisiana-Lafayette
The Chiefs covet versatile offensive linemen and they’d have another in Hunt, who told the Star at the NFL Scouting Combine that he was meeting with the Chiefs for a formal interview.
The 6-foot-5, 323-pound Hunt can play tackle and guard, and he oozes confidence in his ability to line up wherever he’s asked.
“I think I can play any position and I think I’ll do well,” Hunt told The Star in Indianapolis. “I think I can be a top guy at each position. That’s just my mindset and how I’ve always been.”
The Chiefs need to get younger along their front five sooner than later, and Hunt could be groomed for the future either on the outside or in the interior. Hunt said at the combine that he enjoys blocking in pass protection, but he revealed a mauling side when asked about the physical nature required to open lanes in the run game.
“Love it,” Hunt said. “I mean, it’s a time you can be really physical, get nasty and not get in trouble. It’s just a good time.”
Mock 1.0 selection: OL Hakeem Adeniji, Kansas
Round 4 (138th overall): RB Lamical Perine, Florida
The 5-foot-11, 216-pound Perine told reporters at the NFL Scouting Combine he grew up watching Pro Football Hall of Famer LaDainian Tomlinson, New Orleans Saints rusher Alvin Kamara and a player the Chiefs know very well: their current starting running back, Damien Williams.
Of the trio, Perine pointed to Williams when asked about similar attributes.
“I feel like he is a very versatile guy out of the backfield and can do a lot of things in the passing game,” Perine said in Indianapolis. “I feel like that separates a lot of guys.”
Perine showed at Florida State that he can catch football out of the backfield, a must in Chiefs coach Andy Reid’s offense. He totaled 40 catches for 262 yards and five touchdowns in 2019.
Perine produced 2,485 yards rushing and 22 touchdowns on 493 carries in college, averaging 5 yards per attempt. He added 674 yards receiving and eight touchdowns on 72 catches.
The Chiefs have a need at running back and spent time at the NFL Scouting Combine with this year’s running back group, including Perine.
Mock 1.0 selection: LB Michael Pinckney, Miami
Round 5 (177th overall): S Julian Blackmon, Utah
Blackmon played cornerback and safety in college, and he translates well in a Chiefs defense that tends to get the most out of their defensive backs under defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo.
While Blackmon won’t unseat Tyrann Mathieu or Juan Thornhill, the Chiefs’ two clear starters at the safety position, he’d provide versatility and depth to the back end of coverage, especially as Daniel Sorensen enters a contract year.
The Chiefs also need capable personnel while Thornhill continues to recover from a torn ACL suffered in the regular-season finale.
The 6-foot, 187-pound Blackmon started off at cornerback in college before finishing his career at safety. He produced 158 tackles, 1.5 sacks, four interceptions and 20 passes defensed in four seasons at Utah.
Mock 1.0 selection: S Jeremiah Dinson, Auburn
This story was originally published April 8, 2020 at 1:31 PM.
