There are just seven weeks left in the NFL’s regular season and with each passing day, we get closer to draft season. Draft Wire recently updated their 3-round mock draft projections for the 2020 NFL draft. They used the latest draft order to give us the most accurate look they can.
Below you’ll find a quick breakdown of each of their selections for the Chiefs:
Round 1 Pick 23. Georgia RB D’Andre Swift
The first-round pick for the Chiefs remains unchanged in the latest updates projections for Draft Wire. Here’s a look at what Luke Easterling had to say about Swift ending up in Kansas City:
“There are bigger needs on defense, but in this scenario, the Chiefs have the opportunity to give Patrick Mahomes and an already explosive offense the top running back in a loaded class. Swift is a complete prospect who would be a big-play machine in this situation.”
I’ve been a rather vocal detractor of taking a running back in the first round of the 2020 draft, however, in recent weeks I am understanding why it’s often looked at as one of the big needs for this team. The Chiefs just don’t have the same confidence in their run game that they had in years prior. It’s impacting their ability to close out games and it seems like they could really use a go-to weapon at the position instead of their confusing committee approach.
Round 2 Pick 55. Virginia CB Bryce Hall
Hall was on his way to becoming a surefire first-round draft pick before suffering a gruesome left ankle injury which ended his season early. Now, there will be questions about his health and availability leading up to the draft.
This 6-foot-1 200-pound corner displays the size, physicality and ball skills to find success at the next level. He led the nation with 21 pass breakups in 2018. The one question that he’ll have coming out is his ability to challenge receivers in press-man coverage. The scheme at Virginia is zone heavy and doesn’t often ask their corners line up in man coverage up on the line of scrimmage.
Pairing Hall with his former UVA teammate Juan Thornhill would be a knockout move for the Chiefs’ secondary and make them formidable for years to come. Obviously, his health and how quickly he can contribute will be the most important factor here.
Round 3 Pick 87. Notre Dame DE Khalid Kareem
I’ve already covered this player in our weekly prospect series. He has the makeup of what the Chiefs seem to like along the defensive line. He’s big, long and capable of playing the run and the pass. He can play multiple positions along the defensive line, which makes him a valuable asset to most teams.
Through nine games in 2019, Kareem has already matched his sack total from 2018 (4.5) and is just 3.5 tackles for loss shy of matching that total. He’s shown consistency as well as improvements over the past several seasons. He’s been an integral part of the Notre Dame defensive line rotation in 2019, operating primarily as their starter at strong-side defensive end.
I can already tell that the front office in Kansas City will love his effort level. He has a motor that doesn’t quit and is hyper-aware of where the ball is at all times. I’m not sure that the defensive line position will be as high on the Chiefs’ list of needs, but this would certainly be a good spot to grab this player if he was the best available.
