Who Should the Chiefs Target in the 2021 NFL Draft

The Kansas City Chiefs General Manager, Brett Veach, has revealed his team building strategy over the last 3 years. Whether it be free agency or the draft, we can see that he has improved at least two position groups each year. Going forward, as he continues his magical masterly, he must continue to connect at a high percentage with drafted players, producing starters and top quality backups. It is a little early in the scouting process to paint a clear and concise evaluation of the college talent that could be available in next year’s draft, so the players that I mention and discuss, could change draft round position, up or down the board many times and in many cases they will. 

Note: There are the two websites I used to scout potential players for next year’s draft including WalterFootball and Draft Lord Sports.

We have seen what we have on this year’s squad, and it is clearly evident that we need a huge improvement in talent. After all, LB Coach Matt House used to have hair, and now the fans are pulling their hair out in aggravation watching this collection of “play-less making” Linebackers. Pitiful is a harsh word, but I can’t think of anything nice to say. Willie Gay Jr. is the Kansas City Chiefs only long term solution to better this position unit, so far.

Chazz Surratt would be my choice as the Chiefs next MLB. Of his many top level quality talents, I most like the fact that he used to play QB. A LB calling the defensive plays, and orchestrating the defense from a QB’s mindset would be ideal.

He plays with an understanding of how the passer moves through progressions and that aides him well in pass coverage. Surratt has quick feet and the speed to cover tight ends like glue. He has good play recognition and keeps the play in front of him, he’s always in the right position.

They could add a developmental LB as a late round selection, Darius Harris is an UDFA Rookie, that showed enough promise in training camp to warrant a roster spot, but has not played much yet. But they need one player to fill the veteran leadership role, and he is not on the current roster.

At the beginning of this year we thought the Chiefs had a quality set of offensive lineman, both as starters and proven depth as backups. Then the Covid Pandemic happened, which then OG Laurent Duvernay-Tardif, and 3rd round draft choice OT Lucas Niang opted out for the season. RT Mitchell Schwartz, and LT Eric Fisher appeared to be the two reliable positions of this offensive line group. Well their age seems to be affecting their  level of play sooner than what was expected. Which means that Lucas Niang, when he returns to active status with the team, he must be ready to develop quicker than originally planned. In order to justify his 3rd round draft selection, he needs to be ready to take over for one of the starting tackle positions. LDT will likely never play football again, choosing instead to be a fulltime Doctor. Andrew Wylie filled in for him admirably, but is he the long term answer? Austin Reiter has been the starting center for 2 years. His evaluation is complete now, and he is not a long term answer as a starter. LG Kelechi Osemele was playing very well, up until his double knee injuries, Mike Remmers is filling in for him at LG. The Chiefs have Daniel Kilgore, Nick Allegretti, Yasir Durant as backups. Darryl Williams, and Danny Isidora on the practice squad, and Martinas Rankin on the injury list. So what was once thought to be a quality unit now has many questions going forward. 

Creed Humphrey is the leading candidate to win the Remington Award for the best Center in college football. With a little luck, maybe he could fall to the Chiefs in the 2nd round. Josh Myers might also be available in the 2nd or 3rd round. Guards Alec Lindstrom, Alijah Vera-Tucker, Ben Brown, all could be available in the middle rounds. 

Alaric Jackson, Tyler Vrabel, and Jalen Mayfield are all good fits with 2nd to 3rd round grades. Dillon Radunz, and Jackson Carman, could slip to the middle rounds. 

In Travis Kelce we have the best TE in the league, and he is not showing any regression or age yet. But every team needs to have a quality pass receiving threat as a backup, to give the starter some rest, or to have a double TE threat on the field together some of the time. In the last 2 years the Chiefs have tried multiple players as a backup receiving threat, and they have not found one yet. They also need a young player to develop into Travis’ eventual replacement, and the draft would be a better option, than other teams re-treads. 

Charlie Kolar, Brant Kuithe, and Hunter Long all fit the Chiefs style, and they might be available in the third or fourth rounds. Many of these players reviews and rankings could change by April. I don’t usually watch the college players much till during the offseason while preparing for the draft. 

Summary: Possible Chiefs 2021 Targets

The Kansas City Chiefs need better Linebacker play and they also need to protect the “Franchise” Patrick Mahomes as well as open more running lanes, with a more talented and deeper Offensive Line. The Chiefs will be needing a relief TE — and eventual replacement for Travis Kelce 4 years from now – so it might be time to think through Tight End options. While all the other positions on the team still need added depth, LB, OL and TE should be the main targets in the 2021 NFL Draft.

Alan Haupt — ArrowheadOne 

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