Aiming at the Chiefs Draft: A Peek at the Defense

David Bell

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With a second Lombardi in House in the past four seasons, the Kansas City Chiefs will once again be drafting at the bottom of the pack. We cannot say exactly what Brett Veach will do in the offseason. I listed 10 items in my previous article. The cupboard is far from bare, but a lot of decisions will need to be made about the Chiefs Free Agents: who should be retained and who will fly off into the Free Agent-sphere.

Examples that I listed found that Brett Veach will lock up the LOT position, determine what to do about cap impact of Chris Jones and Joe Thuney in 2023. Laddie Morse in his article on Saturday, showed the success of the previous two draft classes.

In 2020, the Chiefs drafted LB Willie Gay and CB L’Jarius Sneed. That class also had CEH (LSU – a draft bust?) and Lucas Niang (OT- TCU-verdict is still out). Still 2020 Veach & Staff came away with 2 starters. I think/hope that Lucas Niang reemerges in 2023. We must wait and see. In 2021, the Chiefs added three starters: Green Dot LB Nick Bolton, Center Creed Humphrey, and ROG Trey Smith. In 2022, the Chiefs added three Starters: CB Trent McDuffie, Edge George Karlaftis, and RB Isiah Pacheco.

Beyond the Six Rookie Starters of 2022

Far beyond these six players, the draft presented key players whose significance will be crucial to the 2023 roster. For example, the only draft pick from 2022 who did not play a significant role last season was S Nazeeh Johnson. Johnson did get game snaps and had a role in 2022 on Special Teams.

2023 Safeties

In 2023, I expect to see him — Nazeeh Johnson — emerge in the Safety rotation and I am certain that Bryan Cook will play a huge role at safety in 2023. Retaining Justin Reid is a must. He took over the leadership role after Tyrann Mathieu was released to free agency in 2022 and did an impressive job in his first season as a Chief. He directed alignments for the DBs, and provided mature, savvy veteran leadership for the group.

What is needed if Juan Thornhill departs? A rangy safety who fulfills the free safety position and can be adept as a single-high. That is important because I hold the view that Juan Thornhill may not return. Is Nazeeh Johnson that Player? We also do not know if the Chiefs will tender a contract to Deon Bush. Here, I am not saying I want “the Juan-and-only” to depart, merely observing that monies may play a role in his departure. Deon Bush could receive a contract as the fourth safety, and it could be a low-cost investment for an experienced veteran. However, I do think Brett Veach will draft a safety in 2023.

2023 Cornerbacks

The 2022 CB Trent McDuffie draft pick turned in an outstanding performance for the season. That draft added Joshua Williams (Fayetteville St) and Jaylen Watson (Washington St) to add to veteran L’Jarius Sneed who was drafted in 2020’s fourth round (LA. State). Sneed is the most versatile of all the CBs and can play outside or in the slot with aplomb. That versatility cannot be minimized. Those four players will comprise the CB room. It might be that Dicaprio Bootle is to be the 5th CB. Here, as for the Safety group, I anticipate adding a 2023 draft pick. It might work out that Veach finds a solid veteran to add to the room in free agency.

2023 Linebackers

I cannot say enough about this group, led by SILB Nick Bolton playing alongside WILB Willie Gay Jr.. If any particular group was responsible for stopping the Bengals and Eagles, it was this pairing (together, Gay and Bolton were in on 17 tackles in the Super Bowl). Bolton was drafted in 2021 and Gay in 2020. Please add these two draft class starters from the past three off-season efforts. In 2022, I was highly encouraged by the drafting of Leo Chenal, and then, looking back to 2020, the Chiefs signed Darius Harris (UDFA, Middle TN. St) who has played well, too. I view our LB corps as the top drawer grouping and it will improve with age and experience.

The Defensive Line

In 2016, K.C. drafted DT Chris Jones (MS. St) and he was one of my “To-Draft” players. The immediate problem regarding Jones is his Cap hit ($28M+) In 2022, Veach drafted Edge Rusher George Karlaftis (Purdue). He was another ace of the draft and showed it, developing and improving all season long. By signing veteran Edge Frank Clark three years ago and adding Carlos Dunlap in 2022, the Chiefs had a significant improvement across the defensive front. With so much money tied up with Frank Clark ($28M+ in 2023), it will be difficult to have Clark return this year. Dunlap was a 2022 addition (an elder statesman). I wrote a week ago, I would like to have both Clark and Dunlap for one more season. If Veach could retain one of the veterans for 2023, I’d be happy. I am certain that both want to remain with the Chiefs — envision Carlos wearing his hat in a photo of the Chiefs defenders not long ago. Having that veteran maturity on for Edge players was a huge benefit to Karlaftis. Since I foresee an Edge Rusher draft pick, that same benefit would be great for the incoming rookie.

The value of both Clark and Dunlap was working with rookie George Karlaftis from early in training camp and all season long. Extend that to the 2023 draft — I am certain that Brett Veach and his group have already created a draft board which will have multiple edge players on the rounds one and two lists. There are several players who fit what I think the Veach edge player-profile is across both those rounds. Daniel Jeremiah (NFL Analyst) views this draft as a deep draft for the Edge players.

Laddie wrote a great article for Saturday which highlighted key factors for what lies ahead, called “Chiefs: Tasks For GM Brett Veach.”

He quoted Lyle Graversen a couple of times and pointed to Lyle’s most recent article called: “Why the KC Chiefs don’t have to re-sign anyone this offseason.” I suggest you read that piece. Above, I have taken a look at the Defensive side of the ball and sure, there is work to do, but I did not highlight existing DTs other than Chris Jones. I think a draft pick at both Edge and DT is in the offing. A CB and Safety also.

Still, I am comfortable with my E-Y-E-BALL** — Crystal Ball — test, that I am using to look into the near future.

** You must read that in terms of diagnosing System 370 software problems (my former Sr. Software Engineer’s term).

Sample 2023 way-to-early Mock (For grins and laughs)

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Disclaimer: I realize that OT Broderick Jones is far-fetched. He will be drafted in the top 15 and too expensive to trade up to obtain. My original intent was Dawand Jones, or another OT outside of round one — because I believe Veach & Co. will be targeting an Edge Rusher in round one. That’s my view anyway.

Editor’s Note: When you get an “A+” in early rounds of mock drafts it means you’re right on track with the value system being used at that particular simulator site. The late round grades are anyone’s guess. Looks like David did an exceptional job with this mock. BTW, I’m a big fan of RB Tyjae Spears out of Tulane. Getting him at pick #134 would be great.

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David Bell — ArrowheadOne

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