The Chiefs are legitimate Super Bowl contenders for 2019. This is the draft they need to add some splashy players to push them over that edge.
The Chiefs were one overtime period away from reaching the 2018 Super Bowl. With multiple second round selections and a decent first round pick, now is the time to add to this team to make a legitimate run at a championship.
The Offense
On offense the Chiefs have their franchise quarterback in superstar Patrick Mahomes. In his first full year as a starter he won the Offensive MVP of the NFL. They dumped Kareem Hunt last season after his domestic violence case. Damien Williams started in his place and played very admirably. Williams has not been able to make a niche in the league and the Chiefs should draft a replacement at running back in case it was a fluke.
At tight end the Chiefs have arguably the best in the business with Travis Kelce. At wide receiver they have a stud receiver in Tyreek Hill but he may have a domestic violence case himself and the Chiefs are waiting on all the information from that case. Other than Hill, the Chiefs employ Sammy Watkins who is a legitimate number two receiver but needs to stay healthy. This should be an area of focus for the Chiefs in this draft as they need to surround Mahomes with weapons. This has the potential to be one of the best offenses of all time.
The Defense
The Chiefs need to add some life in the middle of the defensive line. The only true star on this line is Chris Jones who may be sliding into the middle this season. They traded Dee Ford this season to the 49ers but will be replacing him with recently acquired Emmanuel Ogbah.
Anthony Hitchens and Reggie Ragland are decent options in the middle and the Chiefs should be hoping Ragland makes a leap in 2019. They signed Bashaud Breeland to be the number two corner on the team to play across Kendall Fuller. At safety, they finally filled one of their holes deep with the addition of Tyrann Mathieu,qq via free agency. Amani Watts is coming off of a wasted season due to injury and looks to make an impact this season.
Trade: The Chiefs receive Round 1 Pick #18
The Vikings receive Round 1 Pick #29, Round 2 Pick #61, and a 2020 3rd Round Pick
Round 1, Pick #18 A.J. Brown, Wide Receiver- Ole Miss
A.J. Brown may very well be the most polarizing and polished receiver in the 2019 draft. He is listed at 6’0 and 226 Lbs. and ran a 4.49 second 40 yard dash at the combine. He also put up 19 reps on the bench press which is very impressive for a receiver. Brown is one of the better route runners in the draft and Mahomes would love to find him coming across the middle as a chain mover with Kelce.
Brown had solid NCAA production having been a large part of the offense the past two seasons. During that time he had 160 receptions for 2,572 receiving yards and 17 touchdowns in 23 games. With the uncertainty behind the Tyreek Hill situation it would be wise to draft somebody who can not only pick up Hill’s targets but also play alongside him.
Round 2, Pick #63 Jeffery Simmons, Defensive Lineman- Mississippi St.
Jeffery Simmons is a no-doubt first round prospect but tore his ACL this offseason. Because of this I have him falling down draft boards but he will not make it out of the second round. When Simmons is healthy he is the best defensive lineman in this draft. He has amazing athleticism for his size with the ability to rush the edge as well as up the gut.
During his three seasons at Mississippi St. he totaled 163 tackles, 33 tackles for a loss, seven sacks, seven passes defended, five forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, and a touchdown. The Chiefs could use a disruptive force up the middle to pair with Chris Jones, although not this year most likely. Simmons and Jones next to each other would be an absolute nightmare.
Round 3, Pick #93 Mike Weber, Running Back- Ohio St.
Mike Weber is a good all around back that can run between the tackles as well as catch out of the backfield. He ran a 4.47 second 40 yard dash at the combine and put up 22 reps on the bench press. That only showcased his combination of speed and strength. He has very good vision and patience and uses his quick feet to shift along the line to find the best running lane.
Over three years at Ohio St. he totaled 2,676 rushing yards at 5.9 yards per attempt, 24 rushing touchdowns, 54 receptions for 297 yards, and another touchdown. With the state of running backs with the squad now leaves the Chiefs with a solid all around back in Damien Williams but I do not believe he is the long-term answer. They also have power back Carlos Hyde but he is on his fourth team since being drafted. Weber has a chance to win the job and literally run with it.
Round 5 Pick #168 Johnnie Dixon, Wide Receiver- Ohio St.
Dixon needs to work on his routes a little bit to be productive in the NFL but he is strong for his smaller frame. He is 5’11 and 198 Lbs. and has 4.41 second 40 yard dash speed which sets him up perfectly in the slot. If he can refine his route running he could be a nice fifth round steal.
Dixon showed a good nose for the football in the red zone for Ohio St. In his two years as a starter he found the end zone 16 times in 14 games. His yard numbers do not pop out at you but he was also playing with Parris Campbell and Terry McLaurin so yards are harder to come by.
Round 6, Pick #203 Jamal Davis II, Edge- Akron
Jamal Davis II originally was recruited to play at Pittsburgh University but low playing time had him transfer to Akron. He is 6’3 and 243 Lbs. and can play both 4-3 defensive end or 3-4 outside linebacker. At the combine he ran a 4.60 second 40 yard dash and had a 39 inch vertical. Those are some explosive numbers for a man that size.
Davis II almost fits the same mold as Dee Ford and would be a solid replacement for him. During his two years at Akron he totaled 149 tackles, 31.5 tackles for a loss, 7.5 sacks, six passes defended, one interception and two forced fumbles. He moves very well for his size and changes direction very well. Outside linebacker is where Davis needs to play in the NFL and he could be a starter day one despite being a sixth round pick.
Round 6, Pick #216 Chris Slayton, Defensive Line- Syracuse
Slayton is a large man and a physical presence in the middle of the defensive line. Standing at 6’4 and weighing 307 Lbs. he has huge power and surprising flexibility. He put up top 10 numbers in the bench press at the combine for defensive lineman. Slayton has great initial quickness and plays great in the run game clogging up lanes. He has a chance now to compete for starter snaps until Simmons is back from injury.
Round 7, Pick #218 Jabril Frazier, Edge- Boise St
Frazier is a nice late round pick with solid production. In 3 years as a starter he totaled 121 tackles, 20.5 tackles for a loss, 16 sacks, two passes defended and three forced fumbles. He has great bend and flex and performs well both against the run and the pass. The Chiefs are devoid of any outside linebackers so Frazier can be thrown into the mix to compete for snaps.
Summary
The Chiefs get a little desperate and do not want to wait to see what happens with Tyreek Hill, so they trade up and grab A.J. Brown in the first round. They had the luxury of having two second round picks this year so losing one to move up was not terrible. With their second round pick they go defensive and grab Jeffery Simmons who is probably the best interior defensive lineman in the draft. He only dropped to the second round because he is likely to miss the season with a torn ACL.
With their third round pick the Chiefs draft their possible running back of the future in Mike Weber. I feel his running style fits perfect to the Kansas City scheme. Their next pick came in the fifth round grabbing a future slot guy in Johnnie Dixon out of Ohio St.
My favorite pick that the Chiefs make comes all the way in the sixth round when they select Jamal Davis II out of Akron. A former Pittsburgh transfer he was highly productive and should take over the Dee Ford role across from Breeland Speaks. With the second pick in the sixth they grab big interior defensive lineman Chris Slayton to add depth to the line.
In the seventh round they grab another outside linebacker to add to the rotation by taking Jabril Frazier out of Boise St. Some good editions to a great team, they can compete for the Super Bowl again.
Follow me on Twitter @JoeyTheToothIDP and @IDPGuys. Keep an out as I keep writing 7 Round mock drafts for every team leading up to the draft. Remember…the Tooth has the taste for IDP.
