David Bell
The End Goal is Still the Lombardi
I sat back to do an appraisal, thinking to myself: “Well, the addition of Jawaan Taylor shifts my thinking about the draft.” I also like the other three Free Agents that Brett Veach accumulated. They all fit, and solve positions of exposure that existed before the signings. I Dilly-Dally around with Mock Draft simulators for entertainment, and using the premise that there will be other key additions in free agency — mostly for position depth. I’ve reverted to thinking that the DL would be the main focus as the draft approaches. This should be an interesting period as that time will seem slow as molasses in December in Montana… but… Brett Veach still has a roster that needs pieces added. So it is a WIP.
We must wait on our Maverick GM to fill in the remaining pieces for a complete roster. I remain convinced that the Chiefs should both sign and draft an OT. This piece uses that format –> Get an OT that can compete with Taylor on the left. Plus, later in the draft, bring in a new ROT type player or sign an experienced player for the right price. The OT pairing and depth is the “the pièce de résistance”… and is a position Group that is crucial to QB Patrick Mahomes’ success. It remains a position group of focus for 2023’s draft for that reason.
Fix it completely… if that is possible.
Veach had to rebuild the OT pair on the fly a couple of years ago. It wasn’t enough due to Orlando Brown choosing was a flaky-self-inflated path and leaving millions on the table two years in a row. His current deal that is pending is approximately Brown’s value. It is actually good that he is gone (which has resulted in this Free Agency period).
Drafting Offensive Tackles
The real question becomes is Broderick Jones (OSU) worth trading up to select to get a young, up and coming starter for the LOT role? Jawaan Taylor plays LOT and I can see putting Jones as the ROT for a year or two to break-in to the NFL. I like Broderick Jones over Anton Harrison – but Harrison will go late in round 1 and maybe drop into round 2. Jones will probably go as Pick #20 or before. After those two? Bergeron or Wright are the best fits in Round 2. However, a trade up to try to take Broderick Jones if LOT is their goal, then fill in the right side with a solid #2 ROT in Free Agency. This is why Anton Harrison remains a top consideration, though only 6-4. He checks off all the boxes though including collegiate play as a LOT. I do like the signing of Jawaan Taylor a lot.
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Wide Receivers
I still like Jalin Hyatt (Tennessee) or maybe Nathaniel Dell (Houston) and it seems to me that Jaxon Smith-Njigba (Ohio State) is probably gone in the top 20, and too costly to trade up to get him. I think Hyatt may be the true sleeper WR in this draft. Laddie has focused on Jaxon Smith-Njigba. I like this choice as well – he is 5-10 with good speed and deft feet. I think it would be a high cost to pick JS-N due to trading up into the top 15 draft picks. I still think Veach will add a WR in Free Agency, but either of those players are a great fit for the Mahomes led offense. Chiefly Bacon tweeted that the draft offered mostly smaller in stature WRs. I agree and I don’t think this is a great draft class for WRs at the top. There is one potential WR, that will be drafted in Round 2 that is worthy of a look and that is Rashee Rice (SMU). He is 6’0″, 204 lbs. and checks off all the boxes, except, he has 4.51 speed (unofficial). All the rest of the metrics are good, including his feet and quickness. The rating shows Rice at 86.2 and Hyatt is 88.0. Rice’s draft overview looks like this:
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I believe in the build-through-the-draft mechanism. Rice could be a long term fit. Otherwise, I think Veach will add a Free Agent Vet and likely still use a pick somewhere in the process that his scouting crew has brought to fore. Also, we must keep in mind that the Chiefs could bring back Watson and in the existing group there are both newcomers and Vets in the mix. Here is a table of WRs as roster depth:
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Adapted from ESPN
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What I Do Know About the WRs
No matter who we field, the ball will be spread around. The ultimate goal is to give Patrick Mahomes every potential pass-game snap a dynamic group of wideouts that all defenses will have trouble defending. Someone needs to be added who can be the go-to Wideout for Patrick Mahomes. Or that player must emerge from those on the roster and camp invitees. Or… Brett Veach must add someone with the catches and yards that went missing when JuJu departed in free agency. I have no doubt that the Chiefs will add such a player. It’s the waiting for the final result that is tough for fans and analysts alike. Getting a top WR in the crew would be the Capuan Cat’s Meow, for Patrick Mahomes.
We know from comments made by GM Brett Veach and Andy Reid, that we can look for increased involvement in the aerial attack from both Skyy Moore and Kadarius Toney. I have high hopes for the improvement of Cornell Powell and high hopes for Justyn Ross to get back to his best NFL form. I still think they need to bring in a proven Vet to take the place of the missing ingredient that JuJu Smith-Schuster added in 2022. Of course if Toney, Moore and/or Justyn Ross are playing at their anticipated or previous value, the mix could work anyway. I do not know what to anticipate about John Ross, Ty Fryfogle or Jerrion Ealy. Veach could also re-sign Mecole Hardman at the same time.
I know –> throw your hands up to the heavens.
Tight Ends
We are gifted with three Tight Ends. Kelce, Gray, and Fortson. Add Kendall Blanton to the group. The Chiefs can field three TEs in a 12 or 13 personnel sets without a problem. There is some talk around that Veach needs to find Kelce’s replacement. I don’t think that is true, but it can’t hurt to bring a rookie to camp and see what he offers. I don’t have a horse in that race. Maybe prospect Dalton Kindcaid — Utah, 6-4, 246 lbs — who played prep school at Faith Lutheran, but was mostly a round ball athlete until his Senior year. He then started in the NCAA as a freshman at San Diego, and was then offered a scholarship at Utah. He is a player that fits the Chiefs persona and has a ton of room to develop and improve.
Edge
Bring Carlos Dunlap back and use a round 1 or 2 pick for another Edge player. Please. Laddie and I have discussed doubling down with two Edge players, but with the signing of Charles Omenihu, K.C. solved part of the problem, which probably means that Dunlap lands elsewhere. I believe the edge position returns to the top of the Brett Veach considerations for the draft, keeping in mind that I continue to have OT near the top of my needs list.
Defensive Tackle
Wow, do we ever need one. Someone to compliment CJ who can also give us 5 sacks and stack up the middle and push it into the pocket. That type of DT.
Linebacking Crew
Now we’re full up. I really like signing Drue Tranquill. Behind that we have Leo Chenal and Jack Cochrane. We are good to go. This group of players will be among the top LB groupings in the NFL. Bolton and Gay are one of the best duo’s in the NFL already.
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Safety
S Mike Edwards was signed and that gives K.C. three (3) solid safeties, plus Nazeeh Johnson. Edwards fits very well, and with Justin Reid and a rising talent in Bryan Cook, they’re set.
Cornerbacks
Veach needs to extend L’Jarius Sneed. With Sneed, Trent McDuffie, Jaylen Watson, and Joshua Williams, add a good pick in the draft and we’re good to go. Man, if we could follow up a CB who can fit quick that would solidify the CB Group. Dicaprio Bootle is going to be penciled in for the group. A free agent Vet would fit here well too.
Running Backs
Like Laddie, I wish they would cut the check for McKinnon now; Veach and Reid could go with CEH as #3, but we already have our Feature back: Pacheco. He needs a true #2 behind him though. Personally? CEH snubbed the team and fans at the parade. I hope they can go ahead a trade him for a round 5, or round 6, pick. I think if they can make that happen, it’s time for Clyde to Glide into the KC sunset. Add a draft pick or sign another F/A–that’s my take.
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QB#1
Patrick Mahomes was an ace John Dorsey pick: The GOAT! There is more!
QB#2
This looks to be Shane Buechele. The question is, does he have the maturity in the NFL to be the #2 QB and work the sideline with the clipboard?
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… and there is also QB#3, Chris Oladokun.
We need a solid vet though, like we had with Chad Henne. I truly don’t know if Buechele is ready to hold the clip board for Patrick. The Chiefs will bring someone aboard before the Rookie Mini Camp. Arms are needed even if it’s only to be a camp body.
Finale
So far, the Chiefs have signed key free agents that are important. I like all four player who Veach signed. Charles Omenihu (Edge), Jawaan Taylor (Probably LOT), Mike Edwards (S), and Drue Tranquill (LB). The players on the defensive side of the ball bring Versatility to the table. Omenihu can move inside and out, Tranquill brings pass rush and coverage skills to the LB mix and, Edwards fits and can play up in the box while Taylor has played OT on both left and right.
There is still work that needs to get done. I view OT, Edge, DT and WR as the biggest positions of need. I’d wager they will sign some depth players before the team reports for camp. Likely there will be important additions before the draft. Pins and needles got to you, due to waiting?
Just for fun, a 5 round Mock Draft from Sunday:
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David Bell — ArrowheadOne
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