Recently, my focus has been on the need to trade up. Why? The objective in the articles preceding today’s piece was To get a sure blue-chip player; trading up into the top 15 or 21 positions will result in such a player fulfilling the team’s dream. But we know that the history of the draft is replete with teams selecting a “sure bet” draft pick that doesn’t work out according to the pre-draft plan. Historically though, we know from experience that this is not a guaranteed result since 2013. I offer two examples of the draft picks, Eric Fisher and Clyde Edwards-Helaire. Neither player lived up to the draft position hype. True: I think we must withhold judgment about the “Glyde.”
What If Brett Veach Stands Pat?
The sample mock is probably an exercise in futility. It’s a Mock Draft, run straight through using the Drafttek big board. I must admit my prejudices to address this part of my presentment. If round-one draft picks follow my logic, they should be used to obtain a “skilled” hands player — an offensive target for Mahomes. I have been willing to use two draft picks to move up and select Jameson Williams(WR) or even DT Jordan Davis. Williams fits my ideation that round one players are the most valuable in the draft. It would follow, for me, that a defensive player such as a DE or even a DT. I can see a Safety and even a Cornerback. The Chiefs should not draft an RB in round one, and we do not need a QB or TE.
If you go back to 2013, Fisher was supposed to be a “safe” round one pick. It was not until his fourth season that Eric came into his own. Later still followed Pro-Bowl Nominations. I am not being hyper-critical in what is m presenting. Fisher did not live up to his round one billing. However, I supported Fisher all along. The way Fish departed was not a pleasant experience for fans or the team. Losing dependable bookend OTs was the Tsunami of 2021’s off-season because at the same time the Chief’s lost Eric Fisher(LOT), they also lost fan-favorite ROT Mitchell Schwartz, who was released. Both players had injuries that would have made it impossible to count on at the start of the 2021 season.
In my second example, I used CEH. He may prove himself in 2022. His contribution does not rise to the level expected of a round one draft pick. I consider Veach offering Clyde the 5th-year contract is likely a null and void result.
A Stand Still and Slug It Out in Vegas Mock
In the flow of this article, I did a quick, four-round mock draft with no trades. I couldn’t get one of my early WRs from my board. The idea was to see how close I could get to choosing “Starter Quality or Impact players” with the first eight picks. The result:
Ordinarily, I try to trade around. I would undoubtedly work to use the round-seven picks to move up in the draft. As I see the above list of players, I think there are five or six who will have an impact. Davis, Mafe, and Tolbert will figure prominently in the 2022 Starter-type choices. Perhaps even Bryant could move into the mix at CB very quickly. In the eight players selected, I was able to double up for the edge and CB roles. A second WR was not possible because I chose an RB rather than a WR. So it goes with Mock Draft Simulators.
The idea was to get eight picks — casting darts at players ranked reasonably highly. I made no particular run and did not pick among several mocks. The above was that lone attempt to see how it might play out.
David Bell – ArrowheadOne