Why picking defense first (still) makes sense for Kansas City Chiefs: Mock Draft 2.0
With just more than three weeks to go until the April 28-30 NFL Draft in Las Vegas, it’s time to dive into another mock draft for the Kansas City Chiefs.
The Star rolled out Mock 1.0 last week.
Barring trades, the Chiefs will have 12 draft picks to work with. Here’s our second look at what could make sense for them, including a couple of surprises:
Round 1 (29th overall from Miami): CB Kaiir Elam, Florida
After not bringing back Charvarius Ward, who signed a free-agent deal with the San Francisco 49ers, the cornerback position is a need.
Speed? Size?
The 6-foot-1, 191-pound Elam, who clocked an impressive 4.39 time in the 40-yard dash at the NFL Scouting Combine, checks both boxes.
Elam would compete immediately for a starting job, and he is battle-tested against some of the SEC’s top wide receivers. His skill set also fits in Chiefs defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo’s press-man and zone coverage schemes.
If he’s the pick here, the Chiefs have themselves a starter to pair with L’Jarius Sneed, allowing Rashad Fenton, who enters the final year of his contract, to stay in the slot. And a potential Elam-Sneed combo provides a two-year window of stability at the outside cornerback spots with Sneed playing out his rookie contract.
Mock 1.0 selection: DE George Karlaftis, Purdue
Round 1 (30th): DL Logan Hall, Houston
Securing a pass rusher early in the draft must be on the Chiefs’ menu, and they can address it with either one of their first-round picks.
The 6-foot-6, 283-pound Hall can play inside and outside, giving the Chiefs position flexibility on the defensive line. He would also be another piece to the Chiefs’ outside rusher rotation that currently consists of Frank Clark, Mike Danna, Tershawn Wharton and Joshua Kaindoh (among others).
Hall finished his college career with 97 tackles, which included 19.5 for a loss, and seven sacks.
Mock 1.0 selection: CB Andrew Booth Jr., Clemson
Round 2 (50th from Miami): WR George Pickens, Georgia
The Chiefs answered the Tyreek Hill trade by signing Marquez Valdes-Scantling, but there’s room for another playmaker with upside early in the draft.
At 6-foot-3 and 195 pounds, Pickens has the size to beat press-man coverage against smaller cornerbacks, and he clocked a respectable 4.47 time in the 40-yard dash at the NFL Scouting Combine.
There could be lingering concerns over an ACL injury he suffered in early 2021, but he showed with his 40-yard dash time that he is fine. He also made it back in time last year to help Georgia defeat Alabama with a dazzling 52-yard diving catch in the College Football Playoff National Championship Game.
The Chiefs reportedly hosted Pickens for a visit, which would include a medical evaluation, so there’s a level of interest. If everything checked out, the Chiefs shouldn’t hesitate to pull the trigger on Pickens at this spot.
Mock 1.0 selection: WR Skyy Moore, Western Michigan
Round 2 (62nd): DE Kingsley Enagbare, South Carolina
The Chiefs add another pass rusher here who also possesses flexibility to move inside, depending on personnel package.
The 6-foot-4, 258-pound Enagbare turned in a productive four seasons at South Carolina with 121 tackles, which included 24 for a loss, 15 sacks, three forced fumbles and four passes defensed.
Mock 1.0 selection: S Daxton Hill, Michigan
Round 3 (94th): T Daniel Faalele, Minnesota
The Chiefs might not have a tackle on the radar at this stage of the draft. This Day 2 selection hinges on whether they believe they have the answer at right tackle with either Lucas Niang or Andrew Wylie, who is back on a one-year deal.
If Niang and Wylie aren’t the future, then the Chiefs need to add a player who can solidify the right tackle spot.
At 6-foot-8, 384 pounds, Faalele is a mountain of a man. He’s a projected late second- to early third-round pick, so he might not be available by the time the Chiefs are on the clock with the 94th overall pick. But the draft is a unique beast, so he could slide. If he is on the board at this spot and the Chiefs want to bolster their level of competition, taking Faalele makes sense.
Either way, the right tackle question must be answered in 2022, especially in light of the pass-rusher moves made by other AFC West teams this offseason.
Mock 1.0 selection: DT Phidarian Mathis, Alabama
Round 3 (103rd – comp pick): S Kerby Joseph, Illinois
The 6-foot-1, 203-pound Joseph would strengthen the Chiefs’ safety group, where free safety Juan Thornill, who enters the final year of his contract, and strong safety Justin Reid project as the current starters.
Joseph, a free safety out of Illinois, had 57 tackles, five interceptions, a sack and two passes defensed last season.
Mock 1.0 selection: T Darian Kinnard, Kentucky
Round 4 (121st from Miami): CB Zyon McCollum, Sam Houston State
After taking the night off from Rounds 2-3, the Chiefs go back to the defensive back group with the selection of a speedster.
The 6-foot-2, 199-pound McCollum commanded attention at the NFL Scouting Combine after he posted a 4.33 time in the 40-yard dash. But he’s more than just speed, because he can play in press-man and zone coverage with consistent ball-hawking production.
McCollum finished his college career with 205 tackles, 1.5 sacks, 13 interceptions and a head-turning 54 passes defensed.
Mock 1.0 selection: CB Coby Bryant, Cincinnati
Round 4 (135th): RB Kyren Williams, Notre Dame
Wait, a running back? Yes, a running back.
The Chiefs already have Clyde Edwards-Helaire, Ronald Jones and Derrick Gore on the roster, but there are lingering question marks at the position group.
The Chiefs signed Jones to a one-year deal, so it makes sense to draft a rusher in case Jones isn’t on the roster in 2023. They won’t want to go through a position-group shuffle again then.
Williams, who projects as a middle-round pick, disappointed at the NFL Scouting Combine with a 4.65 time in the 40-yard dash. But he rebounded nicely with a 4.54 time during Notre Dame’s Pro Day workout.
With no more apparent concerns over his speed, the Chiefs might not be able to ignore his production.
The 5-foot-9, 194-pound Williams is compact and versatile, totaling 2,153 yards rushing and 27 touchdowns on 419 carries (5.1 yards per carry) in three seasons at Notre Dame. He also showed his value as a receiver out of the backfield with 78 catches for 675 yards and four touchdowns in his college career.
Mock 1.0 selection: WR Romeo Doubs, Nevada
Round 7 (233rd from Minnesota): WR Bo Melton, Rutgers
At this stage of the draft, the Chiefs are looking for upside and developmental players capable of contributing on special teams. The next four picks reflect that approach.
The 5-foot-11, 189-pound Melton has 4.34 speed and can contribute on special teams as a returner. In his last two college seasons, he totaled 11 kickoff returns for 285 yards and five punt returns for 38 yards.
Mock 1.0 selection: LB Jeremiah Moon, Florida
Round 7 (243rd from Las Vegas via New England): LB Ellis Brooks, Penn State
The 6-foot-1, 235-pound Brooks totaled 100 tackles in his final college season. He would add competition to the linebacker group with a view to contribute on special teams.
Mock 1.0 selection: RB Jordan Mason, Georgia Tech
Round 7 (251st): S Tycen Anderson, Toledo
The 6-foot-2, 209-pound Anderson clocked a 4.33 in the 40-yard dash at the NFL Scouting Combine. He can play in the box and was productive at Toledo, totaling 233 tackles, two sacks and two interceptions.
Mock 1.0 selection: S Marcelino McCrary-Ball, Indiana
Round 7 (259th comp pick): C/G Luke Wattenberg, Washington
The 6-foot-4, 299-pound Wattenberg was a four-year starter in college, playing center and left guard. Chiefs offensive line coach Andy Heck covets versatility among his backup linemen and he would have it with this pick.
Mock 1.0 selection: CB DaMarcus Fields, Texas Tech
