The Kansas City Chiefs reload on the defensive side of the ball in the latest four-round projections from Luke Easterling at The Draft Wire. The team is scheduled to have a lot of free agents depart on the defensive side once the 2020 league year begins. Winning the Super Bowl will bring on a lot of changes to the roster and the team will need to hit on many of their 2020 draft picks.
Here’s a look at the players selected in each round for the Chiefs:
Round 1 – Pick 32: Alabama CB Trevon Diggs
Diggs was also Draft Wire’s first-round choice for the Chiefs in their post-Super Bowl projections for Day 1. Here’s what we had to stay about the choice:
“Statistically speaking, Diggs has his best season yet for the Crimson Tide in 2019. He accumulated career highs in tackles, interceptions, and fumble recoveries. Diggs also has NFL bloodlines with his older brother being the miracle maker at wide receiver for the Minnesota Vikings, Stefon Diggs.
One area that could be a problem for the Chiefs is that he’s not overly physical as a tackler. He did show some improvement in this area in 2019, but if he’s expected to replace someone like Bashaud Breeland, he’ll likely disappoint in this area. He has the size to be successful here at 6-2 and 210 pounds, but he needs to have that mentality instilled in his game.”
If the Chiefs opt to take a cornerback in the first round, they could do a whole lot worse than Diggs. He has the pedigree and looks to be a very good professional.
Round 2 – Pick 63: Wisconsin LB Zack Baun
Baun is listed as an EDGE in Draft Wire’s projections, but for the purposes of the Chiefs, he would likely play the linebacker position. With Reggie Ragland set to depart in free agency, Kansas City has a need for a SAM linebacker. Baun would be a good fit for that role because he does a bit of everything in the Wisconsin defense.
He can line up on the defensive line, as an overhang defender or even in a traditional off-ball linebacker spot. He’s quite comfortable dropping into coverage and finding throwing lanes. He also does a good job rushing the passer from a two-point stance.
There are some analysts that have Baun ranked within the top-30 selections of this draft class. It’d be a bit of a steal for the Chiefs to acquire this player this late in the draft.
Round 3 – Pick 96: Utah RB Zack Moss
Damien Williams isn’t a sure thing to be a member of the Chiefs beyond 2020. The Chiefs will likely pick up his option year, but will they extend him beyond 2020? It wouldn’t be terrible if the Chiefs grabbed a player like Moss in the middle rounds of the draft.
At 5-10 and 215 pounds, Moss is a punishing and fearless runner. When he gets a full head of steam he’s difficult for defenders to bring down. He’s not just a guy who will run over defenders either, he’s capable of making some players miss in the open field.
Two areas that Moss will get points with NFL teams are his pass protection and his ball security. He’s one of the most NFL-ready running backs when it comes to pass protection, and that’s an area where a lot of backs need work in this class. He also doesn’t put the football on the ground, with 712 career snaps he has only fumbled eight times.
Round 4 – Pick 128: Ohio State DT Davon Hamilton
Hamilton is often overlooked in an Ohio State defensive line that features a future top-5 pick like Chase Young. For an interior defender, he flashes some elite physical traits with long arms, quickness and a whole lot of power.
At the Senior Bowl, he was a handful for basically every center and guard that he faced. If guys weren’t prepared to get low and anchor when facing Hamilton, he put them on skates and marched them right into the quarterback.
In 2019, Hamilton proved to be a disruptive presence in both the run game and the passing game. Teams have come away wondering if he is a flash in the pan with only one season of production under his belt.
