Kansas City Chiefs Laddie Morse

Chiefs: Pre-Combine Mock Collection

LadnerMorse February 27, 2020 No Comments Gallery

 

Chiefs: Pre-Combine Mock Collection – I’ve been looking at several Mock Drafts that are out there and my overall impression is that so many national pundits still don’t fully grasp the position the Kansas City Chiefs are in this offseason even though a few draft-philes seemed to be on the money, or nearly. Here’s a sampling of 10 prospects from those recent Mock Drafts, specifically their first round choices for the Chiefs.

 

Marlon Davidson, DL: Auburn

CBS Sports: Pete Prisco

Prisco Commentary: “Davidson can play outside and inside and would give the Chiefs a nice versatile player who can continue to help the pass rush improve.”

 

 

Laddie’ Look: This only makes sense to me if the Chiefs decide to trade or move on from Chris Jones. However, if they do that, it means they can’t make another selection at another area of need in the first round. Prisco has never been a Chiefs fan or even apologist so it figures that he may not be giving this pick some thorough thought.

 

Note: Bucky Brooks of NFL.com mocked DL Marlon Davidson to the Chiefs on Tuesday as well.

 

 

D’Andre Swift, RB: Georgia

NFL.com: Chad Reuter

Reuter Commentary: “I don’t even want to think about how good the Chiefs offense will be with Swift in the fold.”

 

 

Laddie’s Look: A 5-9 running back? The Chiefs already have one of those don’t they? Also, a RB that early doesn’t make much sense to me. I certainly would not place RB as a top three, or maybe even four, need… assuming the Chiefs draft for need first. 

 

 

 

Ross Blacklock, DL: TCU

CBS Sports: Chris Trapasso

Trapasso Commentary: “In this scenario, the Chiefs can’t retain Chris Jones, so they go with a super-athlete on the interior of the defensive line in hopes of replacing some of his production.”

 

 

Laddie’s Look: Here, they outright say this pick is to replace Chris Jones. I’m still looking for CJ to get the Franchise Tag.

 

 

Tee Higgins, WR, Clemson

Walter Football

WF Commentary: “Wide receiver may seem like an odd pick, but Sammy Watkins is owed $21 million for 2020, so he won’t be around for that price unless he takes a massive pay cut. Demarcus Robinson is also an impending free agent. The Chiefs need to add a receiver to go along with Tyreek Hill, Mecole Hardman and Byron Pringle.”

 

 

 

 

Laddie’s Look: While the projection of replacing Sammy Watkins may appear to be accurate (but I don’t think there’s any way Veach can keep Watkins in 2020), WF neglects to recognize that the Chiefs deepest position is wide receiver. Admittedly, no one person can replace Watkins when it comes to playoff performances like we saw in the Super Bowl or the playoffs overall, but there are plenty of others to pick up his regular season slack (because Watkins didn’t contribute a lot there) and the Chiefs can’t afford to go WR in the first and give up a chance to upgrade at several other positions of need. OTH… WR Tee Higgins would give PMII a tall target for the next decade.

 

 

A.J. Terrell, CB, Clemson

NFL.com: Charley Casserly

Casserly Commentary: “The defending champs could go OL, DE or WR (if Sammy Watkins is a cap casualty), but CB is a definite need.”

 

Laddie’s Look: The Chiefs, under Andy Reid, have traditionally gone with the pick that will replace an important position player… the next year:

 

 

Notes: Breeland Speaks was originally listed as a LB which I assume was because he was meant to become an OLB in Sutton’s 3-4 scheme. Also, when Hardman was targeted and drafted by K.C. it was just prior to the time the NFL had resolved his situation/investigation.

 

 

The Chiefs have a huge hole at CB right now, with only two CBs under contract, so they may not be able to think one year down the line and project who will be leaving. Consequently, Casserly may be close to being correct.

 

 

Trevon Diggs, CB: Alabama

USA Today Draft Wire: Luke Easterling

Easterling Commentary: “This defense was much improved in 2019, but they could still use another top talent to boost their corner lineup. Diggs is a big, athletic cover man with fantastic ball skills, with the frame and skill set Kansas City loves in their corners. Getting Diggs this late would be a huge win for the defending champs.”

 

 

Laddie’s Look: Here’s one analyst who gets it. While I’m of the opinion that an IOL needs to taken early in the draft, that player could be had in the second or third rounds. So, the selection of Diggs here would be a superior selection.

 

 

Cesar Ruiz, C/G, Michigan

Mel Kiper: ESPN (@ArrowheadPride)

Kiper Commentary: “I really like Ruiz’s film from last season, and I have a higher grade on him now than I did on the 2019 class’ top center Garrett Bradbury last year. It’s just tough to project where centers will land because few teams actually need them. Ruiz, who also started a few games at guard in college, is an outstanding pass-blocker. The Chiefs could upgrade at center over Austin Reiter or put Ruiz at guard in place of veteran Stefen Wisniewski, who is a free agent. Both had tough games in the Super Bowl win against a spectacular 49ers defensive line. Edge-rusher and cornerback are other possibilities here.”

 

 

Laddie’s Look: After looking back at Andy Reid’s draft history dating back to 1999, he has only once drafted a Center or a Guard in the first round, and only three time in the first two round (in 21 years of drafting. I am definitely wanting to see K.C. upgrade the interior of the OL, but I have my doubts about that happening this year. Not int the first round anyway.

 

 

Jeff Gladney, CB: TCU

Kevin Hanson: Sports Illustrated

Hanson Commentary: “Several of the Chiefs cornerbacks—Kendall Fuller, Morris Claiborne, Bashaud Breeland and Keith Reaser— [are] free agents in the offseason. While he’s not the biggest corner (183 pounds), Gladney plays more physical than his weight and is exceptionally fast (4.34 40). Gladney has five career interceptions and 26 passes defended over the past two seasons.

 

 

Laddie’s Look: I like Gladney but don’t see him as a first round talent. Then again, the Chiefs have been known in recent years to draft a player far above where many others have that prospect rated.

 

Tyler Biadasz, OC: Wisconsin

JT Olson: NFL Draft Geek

Olson Commentary: “The Chiefs need help on the offensive line and Wisconsin is known for producing great offensive linemen. In 2018 Biadasz might have been the best interior offensive lineman in the country. However, he took a big step back in 2019. I’m not sure which guy we will see next year, but it makes me nervous.”

 

 

Laddie Look: Biadasz is the top OC rated by DrafTek and I like him too. However, if he has indeed regressed in 2019… and… although I like Wisconsin and think they develop their linemen better than any other college program, it’s for that reason I am skeptical of drafting one of theirs. You know, it’s like buying the best house on the block, it can only depreciate in value as time goes by… generally speaking.

 

J.K. Dobbins, RB: Ohio State

Tyler Roman: NBC Sports

Roman Commentary: “The Super Bowl Champs go with somewhat of a luxury pick here with a supremely talented back out of Ohio State. Dobbins is an explosive player indicative of his two long runs and 174 yards rushing against Clemson in the College Football Playoff semis. He had over 2,000 yards rushing and broke Eddie George single-season record for rushing yards in a season. Dobbins would make an already talented offense even scarier for defenses to deal with.”

 

 

Laddie’s Look: I wouldn’t mind seeing the Chiefs take a RB in the first three rounds but it doesn’t seems likely with the list of other RB options not only in this draft… not only in Free Agency… but on the Chiefs roster alone: Damien Williams, Darrel Williams, Darwin Thompson, Mike Weber, and Elijah McGuire.

 

  Laddie Morse — ArrowheadOne

 

 

 

See you this afternoon at 1:00 PM for David Bell’s piece called,

“Chiefs Fans: Short Wait for the Combine This Year”

Featuring our OPEN THREAD for the Combine

 

 

 

If you are viewing this in Apple News and would like to join the Discussion, [GO HERE.](http://arrowheadone.com/chiefs-meta-mock-drafts-a-collection/#disqus_thread)