Draft Wire’s latest 7-round mock draft is sending the Chiefs help on offense early and leaving defense to the later rounds.
This is certainly a different strategy that Chiefs fans are used to seeing in mock drafts thus far. There are only just three weeks remaining until the 2019 NFL draft is here. So here is a look at the updated projections for the Chiefs along with my thoughts on each selection and their fit.
29. Marquise Brown – WR – Oklahoma
Marquise “Hollywood” Brown has been Luke Easterling’s pick for the Chiefs for a good while now. This has more to do with the prospect of adding a dynamic receiver to an already potent Chiefs offense than it does the Tyreek Hill situation. Though Brown wouldn’t be a bad option if Hill were unavailable to play for the Chiefs.
The truth is, Brown is probably being underrated right now because he’s dealt with injury throughout the pre-draft process. Medical re-checks take place on Wednesday April 10th, so we’ll see how that goes for him. He’s already been invited to attend the 2019 NFL draft in person, which suggests he’ll go within the first two rounds.
One reason the Chiefs might value Brown over other receivers — he plays with a QB who is known for extending plays. Brown has experience getting open when his QB is buying time, and the Chiefs need receivers like that to maximize Patrick Mahomes’ abilities.
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61. Justin Layne – CB – Michigan State
Justin Layne is an ascending corner prospect in the 2019 pre-draft process. He’s wowed with his size, and had a great day at the combine. His play strength is his redzone coverage. Layne seems to really lockdown receivers in those types of situations because it allows him to maximize his physicality.
The concern with Layne is that he’s still quite raw at the CB position. The 2018 season was only his second season playing CB after converting from WR. Some teams will want a more complete product in the early rounds of the draft. Other coaching staffs will see a relatively clean slate in Layne that they can teach and mold to their liking.
The question is where do the Chiefs stand on this player?
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63. Elgton Jenkins – C – Mississippi State
The Chiefs haven’t typically placed a whole lot of value on the interior offensive line position in the NFL draft. Their highest-drafted interior offensive lineman in recent years is a second round pick in Mitch Morse, who Elgton Jenkins would ultimately seek to replace.
Jenkins is a fine player and one of the better pass-blocking centers in this draft class. He even sports a bit of versatility to his game with experience at left guard and left tackle.
I wonder if this is really the best use of a draft pick for the Chiefs. They are consistently finding starting caliber talent in the late rounds, undrafted free agency, and while picking through other teams free agents. I’m not sure I see this one for the Chiefs.
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92. Darrell Henderson – RB – Memphis
Running backs are getting severely undervalued in this draft class. There are a ton of guys worthy of draft picks, but they keep getting pushed down the draft board in lieu of other positions. Yes, the RB spot isn’t valued the way it once was, but not all of these guys are going to fall.
Touchdown Wire’s Doug Farrar recently reviewed a bunch of film with Henderson, and it’s a really good read. I think it illustrates why Henderson could end up being the top running back in this class, and if the Chiefs manage to get him at the end of the third round it could be a steal. Sure he’s not the prototypical size and type that Brett Veach likes, but sometimes good players will make you compromise on things.
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167. Terry Beckner Jr. – DL – Missouri
Terry Beckner Jr. was formerly the No. 2 recruit in the country out of high school. He didn’t live up to expectations at the University of Missouri, and a lot of that has to with injuries. He’s had major surgeries on both knees and I’m sure the Chief are doing their homework there.
The team got a first hand look at Beckner Jr. at the Chiefs’ local pro day. If they think they can get more out of him in the NFL, then this could potentially be a big steal in the middle of Day 3 of the draft. They obviously have to be careful though, the last thing they can afford to do is draft an injury prone defender.
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201. Jalen Jelks – DE – Oregon
Jalen Jelks is a bit undersized for what the Chiefs are looking for out of the defensive end position. Steve Spagnuolo seems to like guys closer to 260 pounds or more so that they can hold up against the run and be effective on his NASCAR blitzes.
Jelks uses quickness to frustrate interior offensive lineman and tackles, but when he meets someone more powerful than him he has a tendency to get blown off the ball. He has some experience playing along the interior and the outside so maybe this is a better fit than I’m giving it credit for.
Either way I don’t suspect the Chiefs will wait this long to address the position. They have significant needs there given the recent departures of Justin Houston and Dee Ford.
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214. Kendall Joseph – LB – Clemson
Getting a player that played defense for a championship team in the sixth round of the draft would be a big win in my book. Pairing Kendall Joseph with his former teammate Dorian O’Daniel in the linebacker room could also be a smart move. They’ll already have some chemistry built up that they can lean on if they see the field together.
I’m not sure that I see this player lasting this late, but I wouldn’t be complaining if he did. Joseph has an attacking mentality from the middle linebacker position. He also has prowess coming in on linebacker blitzes. Don’t forget about his special teams versatility as well.
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216. Greg Gaines – DL – Washington
Greg Gaines is a stout, powerful, run stuffing defensive tackle. The Chiefs currently have a couple of those guys on the roster in Derrick Nnadi and Xavier Williams, but this could be a nice pick with the future in mind. Williams is scheduled to be a free agent in 2020.
I really liked what Gaines was able to show at the Senior Bowl. He can play the run at a high level, but also has some pass rush ability to his game. The Chiefs need all the help they can get in that department after shedding two of their top three sacks leaders.
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