Kansas City Chiefs Mock Draft

by John Unrein

This time of the year is affectionately known as “Draftmas” for die hard football fans.

Thursday, April 25th through Saturday, April 27th are the upcoming dates of the annual selection meeting for the National Football League. The first round of the draft will be held on Thursday. The second and third rounds on Friday and the final rounds four through seven will be held on Saturday.

The Kansas City Chiefs were one overtime possession from advancing to the Super Bowl in January. Change has been common at One Arrowhead Drive since then. Defensive Coordinator Steve Spagnuolo has replaced Bob Sutton. The team has transitioned to a 4-3 defense.

Personnel moves to upgrade the new scheme have been frequent. The Chiefs have added via free agency Linebacker/ Defensive End Jeremiah Attaochu, Cornerback Keith Reaser, Defensive End Alex Okafor, Linebacker Damien Wilson, and Safety Tyrann Mathieu who Head Coach Andy Reid recently identified as the leader of the defense in spite being a new face in the locker room.

The team also swapped Safety Eric Murray for former Cleveland Browns Defensive End Emmanuel Ogbah. The first glimpse at how all these new pieces fit was provided when the Chiefs started their offseason workout program the week of April 15th .

The Chiefs currently possess eight picks in the upcoming draft. That may change as General Manager Brett Veach is not shy about moving up in the draft to assure he comes away with the players he’s targeted.

Last year would be a prime example. Veach traded up to the 46th spot in the second round to draft Ole Miss Defensive Lineman Breeland Speaks. He was later aggressive again trading the 86th and 122nd overall picks to move up 11 spots in the draft to select Florida State Defensive Tackle Derrick Nnadi with the 75th overall pick in the third round.

Below is a breakdown of who the Chiefs might select in an effort to gain the conference trophy that bears their founders namesake (the AFC Lamar Hunt Championship Trophy).

Round One, Pick 29- Jerry Tillery, Defensive Tackle- Notre Dame

Tillery possesses good quickness for a man his size. He led the Fighting Irish last year with a team high 8 sacks on the season. He also contributed 3 forced fumbles, 30 tackles (10.5 which were for a loss), and five quarterback hurries.

Tillery was no stranger to the opposing team’s backfield. He played the final 8 games of last year with a torn labrum in his shoulder displaying toughness. The shoulder checked out as healed at the Scouting Combine in Indianapolis. A front four of Speaks, Jones, Tillery, and Okafor has the potential to generate a significant pass rush for the Chiefs.

Round Two, Pick 61- Lonnie Johnson, Cornerback- Kentucky

Johnson has the height, size, arm length, and athleticism the Chiefs covet at cornerback in their new scheme. Former Kentucky Wildcat Defensive Coordinator and current Chiefs Linebacker Coach Matt House’s familiarity with Johnson doesn’t hurt in vouching for his abilities. Johnson competed well last year versus SEC wide receivers. The Chiefs had a confirmed pre-draft visit with him scheduled April 4th .

Round Two, Pick 63 (from the Rams via the Marcus Peters trade)- Terry McLaurin, Wide Receiver- Ohio State

McLaurin’s ability to get separation and polished route running caught the attention of scouts at the Senior Bowl.

His determination to catch contested footballs and the speed he showed at Ohio State is impressive as well. The Buckeye ran a blistering 4.35 40-yard dash at the combine along with a 37.5 inch vertical jump.

McLaurin’s ability would provide an insurance policy at wide receiver with Tyreek Hill’s status still up in the air.

Round Three, Pick 93- Josh Oliver, Tight End- San Jose State

Oliver is a mismatch problem for opposing defenses at 6’4” and 250 pounds. His senior numbers included 56 receptions for 709 yards and four touchdowns. This was with him being the center of attention for opposing teams.

Oliver adds depth to the Chiefs Tight End position that does not possess anyone with significant experience in the league past Travis Kelce who is coming off ankle surgery.

Round Five, Pick 168- Alex Barnes, Running Back- Kansas State

General Manager Brett Veach has an admitted affinity for big 220 pound plus backs who run hard and can catch the football. Barnes posted the most bench press reps of any running back at the combine with 34.

The Chiefs think enough of him to have conducted a private workout with him already. This selection provides the organization which depth at the position.

Round Six, Pick 203- Emeke Egbule, Linebacker- Houston

Egbule has been moving up draft boards late in the process. He may not last until this spot in the draft. He was originally projected as a mid to late round selection.

Egbule started all 13 games in his senior campaign. He was all over the field compiling 69 tackles (5.5 for loss), two sacks, four fumble recoveries and two forced fumbles.

Round Six, Pick 216 Compensatory Pick- Sione Takitaki, Linebacker- BYU

The BYU Cougar product is a prototypical SAM Linebacker in the 4-3 Under Scheme Spagnuolo likes to deploy as his base defense. He can set the edge in the run and jam the tight end at the line of scrimmage. Takitaki led his conference with 7 passes defended. He would compile 69 tackles (39 solo), two interceptions, two forced fumbles, two sacks and four forced fumble recoveries during 2018.

It would not be surprising to see Brett Veach trade up for either Egbule or Takitaki. The Chiefs have stockpiled extra draft compensation with an additional 2 nd round pick from the 49ers in the 2020 draft via the trade for Dee Ford.

Round Seven, Pick 218 (from the 49ers)- Paul Adams, Offensive Tackle- Mizzou

The 6’6” inch 315-pound Adams is hard to miss. He started games at Right Tackle for the Tigers in 2018. Adams held his own against the relentless pass rushers in the SEC conference.

His long arms and movement abilities for a man his size could give the Chiefs some nice depth at tackle along the offensive line depending on where Andrew Wylie and Cam Erving end up on the depth chart this season with the return of Dr. Laurent Duvarney-Tardif and Center Austin Reiter replacing the departed Mitch Morse who left to the Buffalo Bills via free agency.