Chiefs Mock 3.0: Draft fast approaching, we’re sticking with a linebacker at No. 32.
We’re officially a week away from the 2020 NFL Draft, which is scheduled for April 23-25, so let’s dive into a final mock scenario about what the Chiefs might do when they’re officially on the clock.
We published our first two 2020 mock drafts on April 1 (1.0) and April 10 (2.0). So by now, we probably don’t need to remind you that mocks should be viewed as educational processes to learn about players. Why? Because, once again, there’s really no science behind mock drafts — how a team views a position group or player often differs from the way these things are viewed by media and fans.
Also worth mentioning: This week’s mock takes into account the Chiefs’ recent re-signing of cornerback Bashaud Breeland, who is back on a one-year deal. This allows the Chiefs to enter the draft with flexibility. Their once-glaring need to grab a cornerback early in the three-day selection process burns a little less brightly now.
Taking Breeland’s presence into consideration, the following mock draft — version 3.0 — highlights players filling specific needs as Chiefs general manager Brett Veach looks to add to a Super Bowl-winning roster.
Let’s get to it.
Round 1 (32nd overall): LB Zack Baun, Wisconsin
The 6-foot-2, 238-pound Baun makes a second straight appearance in this position because he makes sense.
Baun would address the Chiefs’ need for an every-down outside linebacker with skills to either rush the quarterback or drop back in coverage. The former Badger could also very well be the best player available on the board if he slides to the end of the first round.
“He is aggressive to flow downhill in run support, has sideline-to-sideline range and is fluid dropping into coverage,” NFL.com draft analyst Lance Zierlein wrote. “He’s strong but a little light as an edge-setter so teams will need to figure out how best to align him. Baun is a scheme-diverse linebacker with high-impact potential whose best days are ahead of him.”
Baun sounds like an ideal fit for Chiefs defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo’s scheme.
Mock 1.0 selection: CB Jaylon Johnson, Utah
Mock 2.0 selection: Baun
Round 2 (63rd): C Cesar Ruiz, Michigan
Ruiz projects as a late first- or early second-round pick, so this could work out well for the Chiefs if he’s here at this spot.
And the Chiefs could very well be in the market for a center when considering Austin Reiter, the current starter, enters the final year of his contract, which pays a base salary of $2.2 million in 2020.
With 31 career collegiate starts, the 6-foot-3, 307-pound Ruiz has plenty of playing experience. Five of those starts came at right guard, so Ruiz, a second-team All-Big Ten selection in 2019, would provide position flexibility and everyone knows the Chiefs covet versatile offensive linemen.
Mock 1.0 selection: RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire, LSU
Mock 2.0 selection: CB Bryce Hall, Virginia
Round 3 (96th): RB Zack Moss, Utah
The Chiefs currently have a crowded backfield with Damien Williams, Darrel Williams, Darwin Thompson, DeAndre Washington, Elijah McGuire, Marcus Marshall and Mike Weber.
Competition, however, is never a bad thing, and the Chiefs would have even more of it if they added the 5-foot-9, 223-pound Moss at this spot.
Moss, a physical runner, told reporters at the NFL Scouting Combine that his style compares favorably of that of Marshawn Lynch. The former Utes bruiser finished his college career with 4,067 yards rushing and 38 touchdowns on 712 carries, averaging a healthy 5.7 yards per attempt while adding 685 yards receiving and three touchdowns on 66 catches.
More important, Moss revealed to reporters in Indianapolis that he was one of 45 players to sit down with the Chiefs for a formal interview.
“They’re business-first,” Moss said when asked his biggest takeaway after meeting with the Chiefs. “They’re down to the nitty-gritty on every single detail. When you come in there, you’ve got to be ready to go. I think they learned that I’m a very knowledgeable guy. I’m more than just run between the tackles and that I can adapt to any offense.”
Mock 1.0 selection: OL Hakeem Adeniji, Kansas
Mock 2.0 selection: OL Robert Hunt, Louisiana-Lafayette
Round 4 (138th): CB A.J. Green, Oklahoma State
The re-signing of Breeland, who returns to start alongside Charvarius Ward, and Rashad Fenton projecting as the nickel cornerback gives the Chiefs a luxury to hold off until Day 3 of the draft to add to their secondary.
The 6-foot-1, 202-pound Green finished his college career in the pass-happy Big 12 with 147 tackles (118 solo), six interceptions and 21 passes defensed. He also possesses the ideal size to either play in press-man coverage or drop back in zone.
The Chiefs are also familiar with Green, who told The Star at the NFL Scouting Combine that he sat down with secondary coach Sam Madison at the Senior Bowl.
Green has sky-high confidence, a must for cornerbacks. Check out what he said when asked what type of coverage he prefers to play:
“If I had the choice, I would like to play press-man,” Green told The Star. “I could get up there, get my hands on a receiver and initiate my dominance early.”
The Chiefs only have Breeland for one more year at the moment, so adding a cornerback at this spot with a view to the future would be a wise move.
Mock 1.0 selection: LB Michael Pinckney, Miami
Mock 2.0 selection: RB Lamical Perine, Florida
Round 5 (177th): S Julian Blackmon, Utah
Like Zack Baun, Blackmon makes a second straight appearance in The Star’s mock draft series.
The Chiefs are obviously set at the safety position with starters Tyrann Mathieu and Juan Thornhill, who continues to recover from a torn ACL suffered in the regular-season finale. But the team needs safety depth given the departure of Jordan Lucas, who signed with the Bears during free agency, and Daniel Sorensen entering a contract year.
The 6-foot, 187-pound Blackmon provides position flexibility at safety and cornerback, and he finished his college career with 158 tackles, 1.5 sacks, four interceptions and 20 passes defensed.
The Chiefs could look to add a wide receiver here, but this year’s crop of wideouts is regarded as one of the deepest in recent memory. The Chiefs could go safety with this pick and still find a quality rookie free-agent pass-catcher later, as they did in 2014 with Albert Wilson.
Mock 1.0 selection: S Jeremiah Dinson, Auburn
Mock 2.0 selection: Blackmon
This story was originally published April 15, 2020 at 10:59 AM.
