Chiefs Positional Priorities in the Draft – The season for the Kansas City Chiefs just ended, and the Superbowl is now over. It may seem too early to discuss the Chiefs draft needs, but that is the task of this article. The Draft on April 28 will be here before we know it, and that’s less than 3 months away. Free agency starts on March 16 (just over 4 weeks away), with the legal tampering period starting March 14, and we all know that’s the true start of free agency.
Since so many things can happen in free agency that can affect the draft. I’m going to approach this article assuming that the Chiefs sign every one of their own free agents while signing no one new. We know that’s not feasible, but for instance if we go out and sign WR Allen Robinson (which I’m a big proponent of), then that affects who we need in the draft making the draft day needs vastly different.
As of today and including the loss of Ryan Poles (the Chiefs former executive director of player personnel and now the GM of the Chicago Bears) — and the additional 3rd round pick — the Chiefs will have picks in the:
- 1st,
- 2nd,
- 3rd,
- 3rd – compensatory pick for Ryan Poles which is yet to be determined,
- 4th, and
- Three picks in the 7th round.
The Chiefs also get an extra 3rd rounder in 2023 for losing Ryan Poles, which will also be the year we get to host the draft. Rather than try and figure where each pick should go, I’ll be ranking the Chiefs positional needs as I see them. Once again remember I’m assuming nothing changes during free agency and we re-sign all of our own players.
I’ll update this priority list in April once things are more clear in that regard, especially after the NFL Combine completes.
Number One Need
To me the Chiefs #1 need is –> a #2 wide receiver. The times our offense stalled — when Tyreek Hill and Travis Kelce were not dropping balls — was when both were covered and no other receivers could get open. Why did I consider a #2 WR the #1 Need?
- Having a number of guys able to accumulate the stats of a true number 2 receiver does not make a viable number 2 receiver, or
- If it wasn’t Demarcus Robinson running backwards to lose 1st downs, or
- Mecole Hardman, who was very unreliable at catching the ball or running the correct routes if he was past the line of scrimmage, or
- The inconsistency or Byron Pringle.
We just needed that 3rd receiving option. Period. The K.C. offense hasn’t really clicked on a regular basis since it had a healthy Sammy Watkins (even though that was rarely). They need someone who can be that guy. In my opinion there is little else we need on offense and the rest of the draft can be used to acquire young and cheap defensive players. I’ve always been of the belief that this team needs to spend the majority of their salary cap on the offense and fill in the draft with defensive talent.
Number Two Need
The Chiefs #2 need is a strong edge rusher. Even if we retain Melvin Ingram, Frank Clark just isn’t cutting it, and we honestly could use more than one of these types of guys. When the Chiefs were getting pressure on the quarterback their defense was playing at a top notch level. When they were not… they were average, or below. Also, in the loss to the Bengals all we needed was for Chris Jones to hang onto Joe Burrow once, and I believe we would have won that game.
Number Three Need
Another need for the Chiefs is a young cost controlled cornerback. Even if we retain everyone there — and I think we have some good players — it seems to be one of the positions on the team you can never have enough of (and Andy Reid says the same). We have had some nice success in later rounds there and Brett Veach seems to have an eye for talent. We picked L’Jarius Sneed in the 4th round, and Rashad Fenton in the 6th round. Both have been valuable players for us. We got Charvarius Ward in a trade with the Cowboys and gave up nothing to get him (Parker Ehinger). So, I don’t think this needs to be a high pick, even though I see it as one of our biggest needs.
Breaking My Own Rule
I know I’m breaking my own rule projecting Free Agency moves, but… I don’t expect the Honey Badger to be back. I won’t get into my opinion on that matter, but I don’t see the Chiefs being an organization that likes to have players calling out the fans. It’s just not good for business. So, drafting a Safety needs to be a priority. Juan Thornhill is a fine safety, but we really need to add at least one more, even if “The Landlord” does return.
Un-Needed
I feel really good about our young linebackers and you rarely have 3 of them on the field anyway so I don’t see that as a need.
Summary
So, in summary, the Chiefs biggest needs heading into the draft for me are receiver, edge rusher, corner, and safety. Let me know where you agree or disagree, and hopefully much will change in free agency — as we once again leave that period better than when we started — since we have an excellent GM. Don’t be surprised if the Chiefs end up without a 1st round pick, as they have only drafted in Round One, once since Brett Veach has been the GM. That always makes the offseason more exciting, and this one is no exception.
.
Shawn Sorter — ArrowheadOne
.
If you are viewing this in Apple News and would like to join the Discussion, [GO HERE.](http://arrowheadone.com/chiefs-positional-priorities-in-the-draft/#disqus_thread)
.