We’re just days away from the 2020 NFL draft
The Kansas City Chiefs will look to add several players and Brett Veach has positioned the team to take the best player available approach throughout the draft.
Here at Chiefs Wire, we have differing opinions on which players the Chiefs should go after in the draft. That’s why we’re happy to present to you our fourth annual dueling mock draft. This year, we’re only drafting five rounds since the Chiefs only have selections through round five. We used an actual draft simulation for each of the five rounds, with need-based computation for each of the 31 other NFL teams along the way. The players selected for the Chiefs were from the pool of available players at each pick.
You’ll find mock drafts from Charles Goldman, Talon Graff and Ed Easton Jr along with arguments for why their mock draft is the best and makes sense for Kansas City. Be sure to vote in the poll at the top of the page and let us know which mock draft wins this year’s duel.
Hit the jump to view each of the three mock drafts.
| Vote |
Charles Goldman |
| Round/Pick | Player |
| 1 | Michigan LB Josh Uche |
| 2 | Louisiana OG Robert Hunt |
| 3 | Memphis RB Antonio Gibson |
| 4 | West Virginia DB Kenny Robinson Jr. |
| 5 | Virginia WR Joe Reed |
All of the top linebacker prospects went well before pick No. 32. Uche is a player the Chiefs have shown some interest in that has been viewed as a late-first round type. While he didn’t play off-the-ball much at the University of Michigan, his virtual pro day shows that he has the athleticism to do so. He’s also a dynamo off the edge and can be used as a designated pass rusher on certain downs.
Next up is a player the Chiefs have been connected to throughout the pre-draft process. I don’t think I have to do much convincing when I say protecting Patrick Mahomes needs to be the top priority of this franchise. Hunt anchored an offensive line that ranked fifth in the nation in sacks allowed and third in the nation in yards per carry. He’s probably a guard at the next level but it should be noted that he’s played tackle too.
In the third round, I opted for Gibson and I admit there were a few other running backs available at this pick. I like the idea of Gibson in the Chiefs’ offense because of his experience playing both running back and receiver. I don’t think any other player in this draft can provide Kansas City that same type of threat on the field.
Robinson Jr. is a unique player because he has actually played professional football already. He was declared academically ineligible to play at West Virginia in 2019 and went to the XFL instead of transferring to another school. Why add another safety in Kansas City? Robinson will give Juan Thornhill time to recover from injury without rushing back. I also feel like he’s versatile enough to play a little cornerback in the style of Kendall Fuller.
Finally, I finished off by grabbing Reed. At worst you’re getting a productive kick returner. At best you’re getting an athletic and dynamic receiver who can step into the spotlight when Sammy Watkins and Demarcus Robinson leave in 2021. Not bad for the fifth round, right?
| Vote |
Talon Graff |
| Round/Pick | Player |
| 1 | Houston OT Josh Jones |
| 2 | Ohio State CB Damon Arnette |
| 3 | Wyoming LB Logan Wilson |
| 4 | Washington C Nick Harris |
| 5 | Alabama DB Shyheim Carter |
Eric Fisher and/or Mitchell Schwartz are going to need replacing sooner rather than later and Jones still being available at 32 should be a no-brainer for Brett Veach. Jones is not day one-ready so the Chiefs having the luxury of grabbing him without an immediate need is a win-win scenario.
Arnette out of Ohio State late in the second round is a steal. Arnette can start right away for the Chiefs opposite Bashaud Breeland with Rashad Fenton and Charvarius Ward playing in nickel packages. Arnette is an underrated prospect that should wind up being a stud at the next level.
Wilson is the 2020-version of Blake Cashman. A linebacker prospect from a smaller school who everyone feels will be successful in the NFL but still isn’t taken very early. Cashman went in the fifth round in 2019 but due to a less-than-stellar LB class, Wilson will go much earlier. Wilson fits in well with the Chiefs and will eventually step in as a starter in any LB spot.
The Chiefs have a knack for drafting centers in recent memory. Rodney Hudson was second-rounder in 2011 and Mitch Morse was a second-rounder in 2015. Harris could be the next in line as a 2020 fourth-rounder. The former Husky outplays his measurements and would be a permanent center allowing others to provide more depth at guard.
Carter can play safety and corner in the NFL. A role player who can step in when needed and can be moved around a bit. With Arnette in the second round, Carter can be relied upon solely for depth and backup responsibilities. There are never enough bodies in the secondary and Carter’s versatility outweighs his every-down limitations.
| Vote |
Ed Easton Jr |
| Round/Pick | Player |
| 1. No. 32 | Georgia RB D’Andre Swift |
| 2. No. 63 | Missouri DT Jordan Elliott |
| 3. No. 96 | Notre Dame CB Troy Pride Jr. |
| 4. No. 138 | Temple CB Harrison Hand |
| 5. No. 177 | Virginia Tech TE Dalton Keene |
Swift was a star during his time with the University of Georgia. His blend of speed and ability to make plays in the passing game fits perfectly with the high-powered Chiefs offense. He led the Bulldogs with 1,218 yards rushing last season while averaging 6.21 yards per carry.
Elliott provides the necessary depth along the defensive line to keep the pressure on opposing offenses. He is a solid run-stopper on the defensive front that could help alleviate the problems faced early in the Chiefs 2019 season. Elliott’s 31 solo tackles show his ability to handle many one-on-one opportunities against offensive playmakers.
Pride, Jr. was a leader on the Notre Dame defense last season matched up against some of the top receivers in this year’s draft class. At 5-11 and 194 pounds, he is the ideal size for an NFL corner and is an appealing weapon to add to a secondary that will lose key players this offseason. The star defensive back had 114 career tackles, 17 career pass breakups, and four career interceptions during his four-year career.
I went with another corner in the fourth round. Hand brings the tenacity that would ideally fit in a Steve Spagnuolo defense. Hand, at 5-11 and 197 pounds, is a physical corner. He evolved at Temple to become a better tackler and more of a leader. He has exceptional range and solid ball skills that resulted in three interceptions.
Keene is a good option in this late part of the draft because of his all-encompassing skillset. He was used primarily as a blocker at Virginia Tech but has shown flashes of being able to catch critical passes when called upon. Travis Kelce was banged up towards the end of last year, and a young hard-working back up will keep him fresher towards the postseason.
