It’s the halfway point of the 2019 NFL season which means the people that love the NFL draft are already looking forward to 2020. The good folks over at Draft Wire recently released their updated 3-round mock draft projections for the 2020 NFL draft. They used the latest updated draft order to give us the most accurate look they can this early in the process.
Below you’ll find a quick breakdown of each of their selections for the Chiefs:
Round 1 Pick 23. Georgia RB D’Andre Swift
D’Andre Swift is one of the most talented running backs in this draft class. He’s only a Junior but given the short career-span for NFL running backs he might be encouraged to go pro and end his college career early.
I’ve already told you many times that the Chiefs don’t have a history of valuing running backs in the first round. It’s been over 10 years since they last selected a RB in the first round of the draft. For the right player that could always change.
At 5-feet-9 and 215 pounds, Swift doesn’t have prototypical size but he is difficult to tackle because of his low center of gravity. He’s got great speed and acceleration, making him a homerun threat every time he touches the football. He has seven career games over 100 rushing yards which is no easy task playing in the SEC. That’ll get noticed by Brett Veach, who is a former SEC scout.
What could really be appealing is Swift’s ability in the passing game. The offense in Kansas City runs through Patrick Mahomes throwing the football. Swift has caught 62 passes for nearly 600 yards and five touchdowns, averaging 9.6 yards per reception during his career at Georgia.
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Round 2 Pick 54. Notre Dame EDGE Julian Okwara
Julian Okwara could add an element of speed to the Chiefs’ group of defensive ends that they’re currently lacking. At 6-foot-4 he’s got great length but he’s only listed around 246 pounds and I’ve heard that he might be even lighter. He’s an explosive athlete with active hands and good technique that will certainly challenge tackles as a pass rusher at the next level. The question will be if he can hold up against the run at that weight or less?
Pick No. 54 seems to be rather low for Okwara right now based on where some other evaluators have him in the draft. Mel Kiper and Todd McShay both had him rated with a first-round grade ahead of the 2019 college football season. He currently has 15 tackles on the season to go with six tackles for loss, five sacks, one fumble recovery and two forced fumbles.
Julian happens to be the younger brother of Romeo Okwara who played for the Giants under Steve Spagnuolo in 2016 and 2017. Familiarity is always a good start in the NFL, so even though the younger Okwara isn’t the ideal size for what Spagnuolo might be looking for, he could opt to make an exception. Talent will obviously be the determining factor and this player certainly has it. He could even be considered a steal were the Chiefs to land him this low.
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Round 3 Pick 87. Oregon CB Deommodore Lenoir
There’s no guarantee yet that Deommodore Lenoir will be available for the 2020 NFL draft. He’s only a Junior so he’d have to be an early declaration to be available. He also happens to be young and were he to declare for the draft he wouldn’t even be old enough to drink until nearly halfway through the 2020 NFL season.
Lenoir’s best football is still ahead of him. His top season for the ducks came as a sophomore in 2018 where he played in all 13 games and recorded 52 tackles, three interceptions and nine passes defended. His Junior season hasn’t been quite as successful with no interceptions and just passes defended through eight games. Lenoir definitely has the speed and coverage ability to make it in the NFL but he might better-served going back to school for his senior season.
At 5-feet-11 and just over 200 pounds, Lenior has enough size for the NFL, though some teams might seek to use him in the slot. The Chiefs will be looking to add many corners with only two under contract beyond the 2019 season. Waiting until the third round to grab a corner for the Chiefs will probably leave the fan base anxious about this draft class.
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