I have no clue as to what is going to happen from Today until the 28th. We are all digging and trying to loot a nugget of gold from some pronouncement by the powers that be at One Arrowhead Way. I have yet to discover even the glint of a shiny rock panned in the stream of the media coverage of what is truly going on in the world of the Chiefs and the NFL.
Trades and Free Agent Signings are likely to be a moot point until after the draft. Even if they intend to sign a free agent, it now will likely occur after the 30th.
Melvin Ingram – I can see the Chiefs re-signing Melvin Ingram, as I have written frequently. It makes sense. Mel has been out visiting but has not been tendered a contract. What I think has gone on is that he tested what his market was, the approximate value was set. Brett Veach will sign Ingram to a contract based on that. I see value in his return based on what he instilled in the defense in 2021. He can tutor the young players. Maybe Veach works a 2-year deal to keep him in the fold providing the spark that he brought to the kingdom in 2021, and educating young players such as Josh Kaindoh and any rookie edge defenders that are drafted or signed as UDFA’s. Brett Veach informed the public that the defense would be a primary focus for 2022. So far, DE remains un-addressed.
DE’s in the draft – There are several Defensive Ends who are valid NFL prospects who will be starters. I am going to presume that 3 QB’s are selected in the top 25 picks. I suggest that it is likely that the top 5 or 6 Edge Defenders will also likely be drafted before the Chiefs make their first selection with pick 29. It’s difficult to make judgment calls about players who might be on the Chief draft board. I think they have 4 or 5. The players that I want to go get should be round 2 draft picks. I have eliminated Purdue’s George Karlaftis and SC’s Kingsley Enagbar. I hope they are taken by other teams in front of unaddressed Chief’s draft picks. Aiden Hutchinson(Michigan), Trevon Walker(Good), and Kavon Thibodeaux(Oregon) will be drafted in the top 10-15 draft selections. If the Chiefs intend to draft a DE in round one, it should be Walker, but trading up into the top 10 to get him would be highly costly in terms of draft capital. Jermaine Johnson(FSU) has risen to that ultimate fifteen type appraisal, followed by George Karlaftis whom I addressed above as one of two “No-Go” edge play. Those players comprise the list of talent who should be drafted in round one. All others are rated as beyond round-one selections. I have no earthly concept that Brett Veach will trade up into the top 10 to ensure he could draft Tavono Walker, as my example.
DTs – I wrote two days ago that the only DT I felt was a round-one quality player is Jordan Davis(Georgia). I can see trading up to obtain Davis in the draft but not earlier than pick 15 or something similar. In fact, I think he will be selected somewhere between pick 20 and 25 which makes him a potential target for Brett Veach. His mirror at Georgia is similarly ranked, possibly the top 25: Davonte Wyatt. I believe that Wyatt is a borderline round-one player or high round two. We will have to wait to see how that unfolds. I know many like Davis. I think Wyatt has the ceiling the Chiefs would look to find. Other DTs fit as well, and I have listed them on prior occasions.
WRs- Chris Olave(OSU) and Jameson Williams(Alabama) are WRs who fit the Chiefs. I really like William’s prowess and dynamic style of play. Olave possesses a high quality speed that would work. Still, Jameson’s “Juice” is what I am looking to bring aboard. . After those two, despite higher rated players in front of them, I doubt that Veach would even entertain a trade-up scenario. If I were to guess, they will consider with great scrutiny Williams or wait out and see how the draft unfolds. Who knows? Williams injury may cause him to drop into range of Veach using the #29 pick. In round 2? I see Skyy Moore(W. Michigan) as possessing the speed and route-running ability that the Chiefs are looking for and W. Michigan has been a school of target possibilities in past years. You make the call on the high-qualityoked like Jameson was within reach and if his medicals are cleared, I can see them ensuring he is the pick even if Veach had to use two draft picks to move up and draft him. Moore is a round 2 talent, verging on the back end of round one of late. Watch out for that possibility. In my analysis, Olave and Williams would top William’s. I think they like George Pickens(Georgia), John Metchie(Georgia), Skyy Moore(W. Michigan) and Christian Watson(NDSU). Beyond that, it’s anybody’s guess.
A LB – No matter what I think, completing the LB group is part of the goal. There are several worthy players. I personally value Chad Muma(Wyoming), Christian Harris(Alabama), Quay Walker(Georgia), and a couple of other players. Out of this, I would like to see the 3rd LB who can cover the pass and play the run with speed enough to get to the edge at the off-ball side. We could include Troy Anderson(Montana St), Brandon Smith(PSU), and a couple of others in that outlook.
RB – Not a crucial pick, but KC could use a surprise here. They need to bring aboard a dynamic RB who can field passes. There are several. Three that I like later on str James Cook(Georgia), Kyren Williams(ND), Zamir White(Georgia).
I do not have TEs in my outlook. It is a poor draft for the position group. Nor do I target any IOL. I would look at an OT in round 4. Beyond that? I want Veach to double-dip for DE, CB, and WR and use the late-round draft picks to marshall power and trade into the right position. The Chiefs do not need 12 new players.
That’s my view, six days from the draft.
David Bell – ArrowheadOne