Chiefs: Who Do You Choose?

David Bell and Laddie Morse

David Bell and I talk regularly about the Kansas City Chiefs and possibly even more in the offseason. More then, because of the draft and with this one coming up in Kansas City — at Union Station — we are more pumped than ever. Here’s a look into some emails and chats we’ve been exchanging for the last few days, or so.

Mock Number One

Laddie: What if the best RB in the draft fell to the Chiefs… who would you take then? Here are some recent choices from Pro Football Network Draft Simulator:

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David: He [Bijan Robinson] would have to be the next OJ for me even to consider a RB in round 1 or 2. Maybe even round 3. Getting Robinson would be a coup but the ground game is not Chiefs football with Reid as HC. In the NFL, the value has dropped across the board for RBs. In Andy Reid’s Offense, it has even less significance. The Chief’s top needs are Edge, OT, and WR. I am not a fan of Dawand Jones. I view his length as a detriment, and his feet are slow–it would be like getting another Orlando Brown. Nolan Smith is a special player and I think he will make a splash in the NFL. He is undersized as you know, Speed is key for me. I like Hyatt, but he is round 2. Anton Harrison is at the tween stage – late round 1 or early round 2. I like Hyatt a lot but Keeping mahomes clean is job one. In this case, I’d choose Harrison. Smith is going to be a bigger gamble and probably a round 2 edge.

Key points:

• I like Jalen Hyatt

• I like Nolan Smith (my second choice)

• I like Anton Harrison (Most bang for the buck at the most important task – Job 1!)

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David: Let’s presume we fill one of three exposures [OT, DL, WR] with a Free Agent signing before the draft. You choose: WR, OT, Edge (discounting all others). With Free Agency, I think it’s unlikely that they will find a worthy OT and Edge Rushers are going to come at a premium. Will the Chief’s sign D-Hop or OBJ? If they were able to work a deal with either WR, which player would be your preference? (pre-draft signing but late)… and How will that affect the draft, if at all? If Smith fell to us somehow, that is a great choice…. Hyatt I like a bunch. I guess I’d go with Smith and hope to get [Zay] Flowers in round 2, or [Rashee] Rice. As you know, I like Harrison at OT too. Not a Dawand Jones fan.

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Laddie: I like Nolan Smith a lot and even though he’s undersized — 6-3, 238 — for someone who fits into Steve Spagnuolo and Joe Cullen’s DL prototype, he reminds me of Micah Parsons in Dallas. Smith’s superior athleticism and hyper-ability to rush the passer is unequaled by anyone in this draft. Take a look at his tape:

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A Possible Pre-draft Trade

For DeAndre Hopkins

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From Pro Football Network on a Hopkins trade possibility:

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“Arizona Cardinals wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins has been a rumored trade candidate for the entire offseason. If he moves to a new team, Hopkins wants a contract extension and to play for a winning organization, according to Armando Salguero of Outkick. Hopkins is under contract through 2024 under the terms of the deal he signed with Arizona in 2020. Any team that acquires the 31-year-old would inherit a two-year, $34.365 million pact. A new club could theoretically offer Hopkins a signing bonus and future guarantees in order to reduce his cap figures.

“Right now, I’m operating under the premise Hop is our starting X (receiver), and people are going to have to defend him,” Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon said this week. “That’s probably a better question for (GM) Monti (Ossenfort), but (Hop) has been great, and I am looking forward to working with him.”

Hopkins is scheduled to count for nearly $30 million on Arizona’s 2023 salary cap. That’s an untenable number for a rebuilding franchise, so a trade or release seems incredibly likely.”

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David: Why? It’s funny money as Seth Keysor says and a front-end bonus reducing the remaining commitment to something like 20 MIl would get handled.

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Laddie: Funny money? Geez, easy to say for someone not paying the bills. I can’t see KC paying more than $12M for a featured WR. Period. Full stop. 

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David: If it were 20M, over 2 years, it would be 10m each year with a pro-rated bonus each year.

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Mock Number Two

Laddie: Which of these prospects would you choose?

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David: Round 1: Bresee. [otherwise]… BPA… We can use the IDL. My natural inclination was to select an OT or Edge Player, but Bresee is going to be an impact player on the DL. Thinking the choice? I like Harrison, but if Josh Downs were available, I’d be torn here too. Previously, Bresee was available and he is one of the top 5 DT’s in the draft and his rating has climbed.

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Laddie: I’d probably go with the OT, Anton Harrison. He may be a bit undersized for Reid’s Offensive Line, but if he can play Right Tackle, he’d be best. I like the idea of getting TE Michael Mayer who could eventually replace Travis Kelce. He’s been called the “Little Gronk” by national media so there’s that. However, the first round is just too early to be thinking about a TE… even if he’s a good one. I’d be fine with Bresee if Veach goes that direction. I trust he’ll make the best choice as far as team-fit is concerned.

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Mock Number Three

Laddie: Here’s another Mock I did. Who do you think is best for the Chiefs in round one this year?

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David: Tough choice all round — I have come to think Wright is a grade A choice but have also believed that Anton Harrison fits the Chiefs and has started as LOT for the Sooners. I do like adding another UTenn Offensive Lineman because I have been, from the start, a big Trey Smith fan. Because we have at least 3 ROT’s on the roster, I think I would still opt for Harrison.I am torn about this choice.

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Here’s Darnell Wright in a pass rush drill:

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Laddie: I’d jump at the chance to draft Darnell Wright. Darnell Wright is 6-5, 334 and Anton Harrison is 6-4, 315, so there is a noticeable difference, enough for me to want the bigger guy. LB Trenton Simpson is the best OLB in this class, but the Chiefs already have the best LB crew they’ve had in years.

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Mock Number Four

Laddie: Here’s one last mock for today. This one features all the possible picks done at FanSpeak.com. Who do you take?

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David: This one is easier. We won’t draft a RB, TE or LB in round one. I do like both Washington and Kincaid though. As you know, I would not draft Jones. I’d like an OT but with Zay Flowers available, and because we need a top WR to add to the arsenal, though Bergeron would be a good fit, getting Flowers who I think fits the Mahomes-led aerial attack would be my choice. At the same time, I also think DT Calijah Kancey is a great fit too. Because adding a tool such as Flowers would be the right kind of draft pick, he likely won’t break into a starter roll in 2023. but he is great choice.

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Here are some Zay Flowers Highlights:

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Laddie: I think that in most instances, the draft pick will come down to choosing between two prospects and in this case it would be: DL Calijah Kancey or WR Zay Flowers. Knowing that Andy Reid likes to restock his WR Pantry most of all, I’d say the Chiefs would draft Zay Flowers over Kancey. While that’s my first inclination, the presence of D-Line coach Joe Cullen in the house would mean Kancey is a possibility. However, Kancey is only 6-1 and we know both Cullen and Steve Spagnuolo like their DL to be bigger, taller guys. So, I’m with you… this year’s first round choice is WR Zay Flowers, given the choices… no matter how long it takes for him to assimilate into the offense.

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Who are you liking best? Do you have a mock that brings a prospect forward which you think K.C. should consider?

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Laddie Morse — ArrowheadOne

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