When the Chiefs did not match the Dolphin’s offer and allowed Mel Ingram to slip away, I was “disturbed,” to be sure. I am still reflecting on what is planned. The one advantage the Chiefs have by Ingram going to Miami is that he was a “UFA,” and the Chiefs gain a 3rd round Comp Pick in the 2023 draft. So beyond all the promise of the current rookie class, the Chiefs now hold as many cards in 2023 as in the 2022 draft.
Now? In 2023 they are projected to have 12 draft picks again. Even more than this: If Eric Bieniemy finally is chosen by another NFL team as a Head Coach, the Chiefs would gain another 3rd round draft pick. That will hold promise to once again load up with young talent. The Roster will not look the same after that future draft. Considering that the Chiefs hold the ace with our QB Patrick, it is also powerful flexibility to have 24 picks across two years of the draft. Players acquired this year added to the ten brought aboard in 2022 give Brett Veach a malleable situation as a base with which to construct a talented and young roster.
Think about it. The overall outlook and number of draft picks bodes well for stringing together a long run of a potent, powerful, fast, and physical team if we use the 2022 draftees as the model. I had already posted that I believed Mcduffie and Karlaftis were “aced draft choices” in this year’s draft. I will add four more: Skyy Moore, Bryan Cook, Leo Chenal, and Darian Kinnard, for whom I give grade “A” ratings based on the round they were chosen. If I am anywhere close to correct regarding these seven draft picks, all of whom I think will be impactful players in 2022; one can imagine what the future holds after our GM Brett Veach uses the 12 draft picks next season.
Brett Veach told us in early May that his focus for the 2022 draft would be Defense. Seven of the ten draft choices were on the defensive side of the ball. He also told us that he would focus on the Defensive Front four. DE George Karlaftis indeed fulfilled part of that promise. I had thought that Melvin Ingram would be part of the 2022 solution, but that was not the case. I had believed that adding a Free Agent DT with pass-rush skill should be the focus of a Free Agent signing. So far, that has not occurred.
I am fretful about the Front Four. However, I believe that Brett Veach and the coaching staff have a plan. Depending on unproven talent for the edge role, it must include Josh Kaindoh, Malik Herring, and Shilique Calhoun in the thinking. I have written about the roster players at DT and concluded that there is depth, but I don’t see a pass-rush player among the roster players. This presents me with two position groups where I believe a Free Agent signing would help: DE and DT, but I cannot improve by naming or projecting which players might be acquired to fill in what I think are the blanks. On Sunday, I used Akiem Hicks as my DT example. Then the news revealed that Melvin Ingram was signing with the Dolphins.
We are in a wait-and-see mode. What the future holds is dependent on a youth movement in 2022. an only wait and see how things unfold at the OTAs and training camp. Unfortunately, my crystal ball has gone all cloudy. I am not privy to the outlook from within the Kingdom.
I have faith that there is a plan. It’s a good thing my hide is ceraceous, and my errors, like raindrops, stream aside.
David Bell