Chiefly Bacon’s Pre-Combine Mock Draft

4. ILB Connor Harris, 5-11, 244

Connor Harris isn’t just a pick here because he’s a local guy. He might be a little smaller than the average ILB, but he’s solidly built and shows the athleticism and smarts to start at SILB or provide depth behind Derrick Johnson.

5.1 OLB Devontae Fields, 6-3, 242

Do Chiefs have it in them to draft back to back problem guys in the 5^th round? Who knows, but Fields has the potential to be a Hill level hit (no pun intended yuck). Fields was booted from TCU after being accused of punching and threatening his girlfriend. I’m not sure I want him here, but Chiefs might not be able to resist the value, especially considering he hasn’t had any major issues since then. As a player, Fields has been extremely productive. Fields, as a prospect, reminds me of Dee Ford, with a slower first step and more flexible frame. He’ll need some time to transition to OLB and he’ll need to add a little strength, but he has great potential on the field.

5.2 OG Jessamen Dunker, 6-5, 305

I’ve made no effort to hide the fact that I believe this draft to be weak at OL particularly G. That said, I really like Dunker as a prospect. He has the size and athleticism to project well to Chiefs offense. He had some minor character concerns, but seems to have kept his nose clean since his departure from Florida. He’ll need to add some strength and work on his technique, but he’s a nice piece of clay that Chiefs could mold into a solid lineman in a year or two.

6.1 OLB Joe Mathis, 6-2, 255

Mathis is coming off a foot injury. He was never a top-shelf prospect, but don’t let that fool you. What he lacks in athletic uniqueness, he makes up for in technique. He’s among the more polished edge rushers in the draft. While his body will limit his ceiling, he’s a great depth option with a future as a Frank Zombo type guy. Not a bad pickup if he falls to the 6^th.

6.2. Ben Gedeon 6-2, 243

If Chiefs really want to get better against the run, they need a true SILB on the roster. Gedeon is that guy. Don’t look for him to go out in coverage or come on the field in anything, but heavy sets, but when he does, Chiefs will finally have the hole-plugger they’ve lacked for years. Gedeon packs the punch in the run game that Chiefs need and should be able to help on STs.

7. NT D.J. Jones, 6-0, 320

D.J. Jones is a T-Rex on the D-line. By that, I mean, he has a huge body and tiny arms. He’s not a guy what you want to start much, but he can be a solid depth piece in the vein of Nunez Rochez. He boasts a tremendous base and is tough to move off his spot.

There you have it. A few spots go without being addressed, most notably TE, but overall, I think this is a draft that makes the Chiefs better. Between Peterman and Foreman, Chiefs can sow the seeds of a more productive offense. Dline and ILB upgrades help against the run, while Jones forces opposing QBs to choose between Marcus Peters Sr. and Marcus Peters Jr. Here’s hoping for a draft that gets us over the hump and into the Super Bowl. Go Chiefs.

Bonus Priority UDFAs

Here are five guys I want Chiefs to look at, post-draft:

1. QB Sefo Liufao 6-3, 240

Sefo Liufao‘s stock has fallen quite a bit. He struggled at the Senior bowl and has dealt with some injuries. That said, he has tremendous potential, is very mobile and competitive. If it’s obvious early he won’t hack it at QB, Chiefs could try to convince him to move to TE where his natural athleticism could allow him to flourish.

2. FS Fish Smithson, 5-10, 197

Smithson is undersized for your average safety, but he plays with his hair on fire. While he played for a bad KU team, that team had a pretty good defense. He came away with four picks, seven pass break-ups, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery. If he can make his mark on STs, Smithson has a chance to crack the roster.

3. WR Ricky Seals-Jones, 6-5, 235

Ricky Seals-Jones might get drafted, but he has some injury concerns and might lack the speed to be more than a possession WR. It may take a season or two on a team’s practice squad before Jones can run routes well enough to beat press coverage and crack a roster, but his size and catch radius makes him worth a look.

4. P Cameron Johnson, 5-11, 195

Cameron Johnson did a nice job of punting for Ohio State. Even punters don’t play forever and Dustin is getting up there in years. He also soaks up a lot of cap space for a position that shouldn’t be as important as it has become for the Chiefs.

5. DT Ralph Green III, 6-3, 317

Another character concern guy. Green got drunk at a party and slapped a woman. As a player, Green has shown the athletic ability and production of a 2^nd or 3^rd round pick. He’s a good fit for the Chiefs’ defense.

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