Laddie Morse
It’s the season for, and time of year for, more mock drafts. Here’s a five round mock that I think turned out pretty good. It also reveals several ideas that may be nails hit right on the nose. Take a peek:
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Before we get into the mock, let’s take a look at the Chiefs current choices. I say, “current choices” because GM Brett Veach could trade out of any round at any time prior to, or during, the draft. Below are the Chiefs choices which are provided by chiefs.com:
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I’m only focusing on the first five rounds because it’s hard enough to predict up to pick #173, much less the 252nd pick. From 3 weeks ago in March, Chiefs.com and Matt McMullen shared that:
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“The NFL adjusted its compensatory selection allocations on March 11, moving the Chiefs’ additional pick to No. 173 overall. The change also impacted a handful of the Chiefs’ other selections… the league made another adjustment on March 19, moving the Chiefs’ fourth-round pick (No. 132 overall) up one spot. No other selections were altered.”
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From operations.nfl.com, here are the lists players lost and gained last offseason during Free Agency that resulted in the Chiefs gaining Compensatory Pick #173 this year:
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Once again, here’s my recent mock, plus commentary:
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Pick #32: WR, Adonai Mitchell
The reasoning here is that while Xavier “Mr. 4.21” Worthy is gone in this mock situation, Adonai Mitchell was the preferable choice anyway. At 6-foot-2 and weighing in a 205 lbs. DraftBuzz.com has Mitchells ranked as the 5th best WR in this years draft class right behind, Marvin Harrison Jr., Malik Nabers, Rome Odunze, and Brian Thomas Jr.. The Chiefs have been focused on Texas Wide Receivers, or at least Chiefs Kingdom has been, so it was time to cure what seems to have been ailing the K.C. WR room. Hookemheadlines.com has the Chiefs ranked as the first place that will be a landing spot for Mitchell. I sure hope so. I love this kid! Here’s Mitchell scoring a TD and out jumping the defender in the end zone. The Chiefs haven’t had a guy — beside Travis Kelce — who could catch passes like that in quite some time. (0:14):
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Pick #64, RB, Trey Benson
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The Chiefs haven’t had a great RB since Kareem Hunt was in town. Trey Benson is not a first round choice, and he may be gone by the time the Chiefs pick at the end of he second round, but if he’s there, I’d hope that Veach and crew jump at the Chance to pick a starter. What am I saying? That Trey Benson could supplant Isiah Pacheco? Yes, that’s exactly what I’m saying. Benson is that strong of a running back that he could be the starter on most any NFL team right now. The Chiefs haven’t re-signed Jerick McKinnon nor Clyde Edwards-Helaire and any time the Chiefs can make a position better, they should do it. No questions asked.
In this case, i think CEH has soured the Kingdom on taking a RB in the first few rounds. Pacheco has become a hero iin K.C. because he was drafted so late (a 7th rounder two years ago) and so it’s not been possible because the Kingdom would explode with rage if Veach dared to take a RB as early as the second round. It may be time to change that way of thinking. Trey Benson is the best RB in this draft and if he’s available to K.C. in R2, they should jump at the chance to pick him. A pairing of Benson and Pacheco would be dynamic… to say the least. Here’s Trey Benson’s RAS:
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Let’s take a look at Benson’s highlights (10:00):
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Pick #95, Safety, Javon Bullard
Javon Bullard hits hard. He also runs a 4.47 – 40 yard dash so, he not only hits hard, but runs fast. He’s like a freight train colliding at full speed.
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Bullard may hit hard but the one issue I have with him is his size. He’s 5-foot-11 and goes at 195 lbs. so his size could possibly be an issue but if he’s made it this far, it might not be an issue as well. Eric Berry was one inch taller and aronjd ten pounds heavier so…. Bullard calls himself “Hit Man” and for those who want to see the NFL filled with clean hits, Bullard may not be your cup of tea. Although Bullard himself will tell you his hits are all of the clean, fair and safe variety. With enough speed to get to any ball thrown across the back of the field, I like Bullard’s chances of getting time on the field right away in the Chiefs system. Here’s Bullard runnign the 40 at the combine:
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Plus, here’s a little hype video of Bullard (you may want to mute):
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“Hard Hitter”… “An Assassin”… “Hit Man”… Bullard goes by many names characterizing his brutality… the Chiefs could use a guy like that. Before heading onto the Chiefs next pick, let’s take another look at the last three choices of this mock:
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Pick #131, TE, Theo Johnson
Theo Johnson played his college ball at Penn State and is 6-foot-6, 250 lbs.. While I see the rest of these mocked picks as developmental players, Johnson could end up seeing the field a lot sooner if he masters the Pro blocking game right away. In other words, Theo Johnson is big and could end up as a blocking tight end from the outset. He’s got the size, so why not? Here’s Johnson’s stats while he was with Penn St.:
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Theo Johnson could give Noah Gray and Irv Smith Jr. some competition. Here he is scoring his 6th TD of the season in 2023:
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Pick #159, DT, Keith Randolph Jr.
Keith Randolph Jr. is 6-foot-3 1/2 and tips the scales at 296 lbs.. He plays like a ball of fire and is one tough cookie. DraftBuzz.com lists one of his weaknesses as: “needs to improve his hand-usage skills” but that can be taught by Joe Cullen. DraftBuss also says his Strengths include:
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- Randolph has an impressive blend of length and movement skills, capable of dominating shorter interior blockers as a penetrator and showing lateral agility in addition to speed in pursuit.
- He has the lateral agility and balance to cover two gaps, and Randolph shows some good closing burst when moving down the line in pursuit.
- Strong tackler. Has good power in hands and can anchor, shed, and chase.
- With a powerful lower body and the ability to hold up at the point of attack as a run defender, he is remarkably instinctive.
- He’s very good with his hands, a technician with the violence, quickness, and the long arms to ward off blockers. Randolph has a great motor and enough creativity to make plays late in the down as a pass rusher.
- Possesses the length and power to ward off offensive tackles.
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I’m kind of wondering about these Prospect sites when they say conflicting things like: “Must improve hand use” and the nturn around and say “He’s very good with his hands“… it sure makes me wonder. So I trust my own eyes, and the tape.
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Pick #173, OT, Javon Foster
Javon Foster is a Missouri grad playing there from 2018 to 2023 and he was entrenched at Left Tackle for 39 games. In his last season he was named to the All-SEC Conference first team. Foster can not only play Left Tackle but he can switch to the right side if needed. Here he is talking to Kay Adams about just that subject (0:39):
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Here’s a breakdown of Javon Foster as a Tackle and/or a Guard (7:09):
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What do you think? Have any problems with this Mock? Let me know.
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Laddie Morse — ArrowheadOne
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