With Twelve Draft Picks in the 2022 draft, I wrote about Brett Veach arriving at a condition with a lot of power with funds available ($28M at that point) for Free Agent acquisitions. That, together with the picks, the ability to move up and down in the draft. I believe this draft and the 2023 draft will re-power and re-tool the Chiefs to continued success after a decade of winning an NFL Franchise. See the Flexibility Article, Here: https://arrowheadone.com/chiefs-brett-veach-now-has-tremendous-flexibility-in-what-can-be-called-a-mini-rebuild/
In 2021, the Chief’s Offensive Line suffered greatly. Our two very dependable Offensive Tackles ended up being released. The Offensive Guards and Center were weaknesses. By the Season’s opening game, Brett Veach engineered an offensive line rebuild. Can you argue with that achievement? 2022 promises an even more powerful opportunity to achieve the same task for the defense. Not only that, but the Tyreek Hill Trade provided the draft capital to do even more. It appears to me that the Chief’s highest priority focus will be on defense. We have eight picks in the first four rounds of the draft.
It is not my opinion that players will be selected merely because they would fulfill the need to resolve the position exposures with any single draft pick. Instead, I think Veach & Co. will, as they get closer to the draft, obtain players in Free Agency as the Chiefs get closer to the draft is to use Free Agency to resolve problems. Acquiring players who fit the Chief’s profile is the way to ensure that the team’s draft is a highly successful one. For once, I warn you to be ready for a departure from my usual view of the draft.
My “Boost and Scoot” What IF?
Brett Veach could use two draft picks to move up in the draft. The Draft Value table would suggest they could move up in the draft inside the top 20 by using two picks: 29 or 30 plus a 3rd round draft pick. The trade-up is possible by having so many choices in the first four rounds. I believe that moving up to 10 would be costly–Something to avoid. For example, arriving at pick 18 or 20 would make several highly sought-after players available. The player chosen with that pick could be any of the players targeted on the Veach Draft board.
My thinking at this juncture points to DT, DE, and CB as logical targets. At any rate, the trade-up would include players for the offense. It seems logical that a skilled player might be that target for such a high draft pick. I am not in favor of drafting a Running Back in round one. We do not need a Quarterback. A TE might be the apple of Veach’s eye as well. I don’t think there is a Tight end who has such stature on the Chief’s Big board.
What if it was a Highly Graded Wide Receiver?
It is impossible to know who such a player might be on the Chief’s Big Board. But, at the same time, there is no way I have the grit to understand what the other NFL teams drafting in the top 17 picks will do. But what if the Chiefs traded up to pick #19 or #21, knowing that Jameson Williams-WR(Alabama) would be available?
Veach has already acquired two highly talented Wide Receivers (JuJu Smith-Schuster, and Marquez Valdes-Scantling). They have also added Corey Coleman. Of course, Travis Kelce will often be a target for Patrick Mahomes. Adding Williams would make it very difficult to divvy up the balls to satisfy the desires of the newcomers. The WR room includes Mecole Hardman, Josh Gordon, Daurice Fountain, Gehrig Dieter, Cornell Powell, Justin Watson, Omar Bayless, Gary Jennings, Matthew Sexton, and Chris Finke.
Hear Me Out at Least
Many have dug into the Wide Receivers in this draft and have decided on their choice. Until this point, I had persuaded myself that it could not happen. But, looking beyond my initial investigation, I decided that Jameson Williams was a great fit if there were a WR who fit what the Chiefs do in the aerial game.
Williams Metrics: Hometown-St. Louis, MO: 6’1 1/2″, 179 lbs, 32-18, hands 9 1/4″.
Lance Zierlein’s evaluation revealed: “Linear route-runner with electric, long speed to impact a game as a home-run hitter or decoy drawing defenders away from other offense elements. Williams ruins man coverage but faces some limitations. He has issues getting off press cleanly and might require some scheming to help get off the mark cleanly against certain corners. Catch toughness can be inconsistent when contested or in heavily-trafficked areas. He has all the juice to find consistent separation on vertical, over, and post/corner routes and could see monstrous production if paired with a high-end talent at quarterback. The ACL tear could play a role in determining his ultimate draft destination, but it’s unlikely to change his game.”
Strengths:
o Smooth route take-off with instant gas.
o Able to eviscerate the cushion and blow by corners.
o Extra burst before route break forces coverage to bail out.
o Separation feels inevitable on long-form patterns.
o Posted FBS-best 11 touchdowns of 30-plus yards in 2021.
o Long-limbed with expansive catch radius.
o Plays with sudden hands to stab and secure high throws.
o Opens hip to extend and grab back-shoulder/hip ball.
o Good YAC stack when catching on the move.
o Returned two kickoffs for touchdowns in 2021.
Sure, Williams has weaknesses: the first and most notable is the ACL tear in the Championship Game. Because of this, he could not perform at the combine nor a pro day. He is long, but lanky and needs to work on battling press-man coverage off of the snap.
Take a look at the obvious with William’s 2021 highlight film: Here is the link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ccT4vBfgDC8
I see it. You take a look and tell me what you think? Does he remind you of anyone? Chris Simms believes Williams is the top WR in the 2022 draft. Goldman of Chiefswire’s appraisal is this: “Perhaps the most explosive pass-catcher in a loaded class, Williams would easily be the first receiver off the board if not for his injury. The fact that he’s still likely to be a first-round pick speaks to just how much upside he brings, and any team that lands him outside the top half of Day 1 could get a huge steal.”
I am not making the case that this is a ‘must do’ draft pick. I am making the case that he would be a great addition to an NFL High Ceiling and must be considered. This is an especially odd-ball view of the draft from my usual defense-oriented draft outlook.
David Bell – ArrowheadOne