We’re just a few weeks from the start of the 2020 NFL draft, which is set to be done in a virtual setting because of the situation surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic. our friend Luke Easterling over at Draft Wire has released new 3-round mock draft projections. This time he hits three of the Kansas City Chiefs’ top needs.
If they grab a coverage linebacker and offensive line help in the fourth and fifth rounds, Brett Veach will be patting himself on the back. Here are my thoughts on the latest prospects that Draft Wire is sending to Kansas City:
32. A.J. Epenesa | EDGE/DL | Iowa
Epenesa has been the pick in Kansas City for Draft Wire for over a month.
I keep teetering on whether I like this pick for the Chiefs. On one hand, he can be an investment for Kansas City, who is versatile and doesn’t have to play early on. He absolutely fits the mold of Steve Spagnuolo defensive lineman at 6-5 and 275 pounds.
On the other hand, he’s lacking a lot of the desirable traits you want to see in a pass rusher such as bend, explosiveness, and ankle flexion. Where Epenesa wins is his power, size and length. He has a ton of production at the college level using those elements of his game. Will that be enough for him to hold up in the NFL, though? I have my doubts and it’s giving me second thoughts about this player for the Chiefs, especially in the first round.
63. Cam Akers | RB | Florida State
Akers is one of the mysteries of the draft class.
He’s loaded with potential, as evidenced by his performance at the 2020 NFL Scouting Combine. At Florida State, Akers was stuck behind a poor offensive line and worked some serious miracles. His work behind the line of scrimmage reminds me of Le’Veon Bell, as he has that same type of patience and burst as a runner.
Akers has solid contact balance and knows how to finish his runs. He gets the most yardage possible. His feet are extremely quick, which gives him an advantage against defenders in the open field. He definitely has the type of receiving ability and numbers that will pique the interest of Andy Reid. My biggest concern with Akers in Kansas City is that I feel he’s a better fit for a gap-power scheme as opposed to the zone and RPO-heavy stuff that Chiefs run.
96. Michael Ojemudia | CB | Iowa
Another Iowa Hawkeye for Kansas City.
Ojemudia has some of the best length in a draft class that is really lacking for long players. He ran a 4.45 40-yard dash at the combine, proving to be one of the faster corners in this class. Coaches will love that he’s a willing run defender. They’ll also enjoy that he has the ability to play a variety of different coverages including zone and man coverage.
I worry about his ability to play press coverage because he wasn’t asked to do it a lot at Iowa. He has the length to succeed there, but I think it will be an adjustment for him in the NFL. You could do a lot worse in the third round if you’re Brett Veach. At the same time, I worry about waiting until the third round to address the top need of the team.
