The biggest theme in most 2019 mock drafts for the Chiefs is that they need reinforcements on the defensive side of the ball.
Despite spending nearly an entire draft class on the defensive side of the ball in 2018, the Chiefs failed to significantly improve the defensive unit. They were fantastic rushing the passer, better than they had been during the previous season. However, marks defending the run and the pass were not as favorable.
The Chiefs had some glaring issues in the secondary throughout most of the 2018 season. Draft Wire’s latest 4-round projections sends the Chiefs some immediate help on the back end. Check out their choices below along with my analysis of each selection.
29 | Nasir Adderley | DB | Delaware
The Chiefs struggled to put the right safeties on the field during the 2018 season. A lot of this had to do with injuries at the position, specifically to Eric Berry, Daniel Sorensen, and Armani Watts. It took them entirely too long to realize that Jordan Lucas needed more playing time. They spent far too much time on Ron Parker and Eric Murray.
When it comes to getting impact players in the secondary at pick No. 29, the cupboard might be empty or close to it. The Chiefs might have to look for a rising prospect. Adderley has ascended throughout the pre-draft process. Most recently he showed off his range, ball skills, and athleticism at the Senior Bowl. Next stop is the NFL scouting combine where he’ll have a chance to put his elite athleticism on display once again.
Adderley has experience at both corner and safety, which makes him a unique fit for the Chiefs. If they get Berry and Watts back healthy next season, Adderley can plug in on the outside as a corner. If there are still health issues at the safety position, Adderley can work in there as well.
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61 | Michael Jackson | CB | Miami
Michael Jackson has potential to be a starter in the NFL based off his press man coverage alone. He would have been the perfect fit in former Chiefs defensive coordinator Bob Sutton’s system. The question is whether he’s a fit for Steve Spagnuolo. Jackson thrives when he can jam a receiver at the line, and knock them off their mark.
The problem with Jackson is that he’s not quite suited for zone or off man coverage. He doesn’t have great recovery speed or burst to the football in space. When he gets beat with speed he gets a bit grabby, as most players do. I fear this will lead to many penalty flags in the NFL.
Jackson also only has four career interceptions in two years as a starter and they all came in 2017. Several of those were on jump balls too, so it begs the question as to whether he can produce on his own.
With the defensive coordinator change, I’m not sure that Jackson makes much sense to the Chiefs anymore.
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63 | Jaylon Ferguson | EDGE | LA Tech
The Chiefs actually met with this player at the Senior Bowl. Ferguson is a 6-foot-5 and 260 pound edge rusher and is the NCAA career sack leader. He’d play rush defensive end in the Chiefs’ new defensive system.
I worry about how Ferguson’s game will translate to the NFL. He’s inconsistent in his ability to bend the edge, and he’s not particularly fast off the ball. He displays good smarts, strong hands, and has several rush/counter moves. I’d like to see him use his arm length to his advantage more often. I’m just not sure that he can be an immediate impact, he’ll need to work with coaches to better solidify his plan of attack.
I liken this pick to a defensive version of Patrick Mahomes. Let him learn behind Justin Houston and Dee Ford for a season. Then unleash Ferguson on the league the following year with the hopes he can put it all together.
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92 | Darrell Henderson | RB | Memphis
I’m not sure there’s a running back in this class that had a more productive 2018 season than Darrell Henderson. He recorded 25 total touchdowns and had over 2000 scrimmage yards. Production is something that always gets the eye of NFL scouts.
Henderson also has 63 career receptions, and experience working out of the shotgun. That’s an added bonus for the Chiefs given their offensive scheme. At 5-foot-9 and 205 pounds, I wonder if he’ll hold up in pass protection in the NFL. A bigger free rusher might bully him right over.
At the end of the day the Chiefs don’t need to add a running back. They have two guys who are plenty capable in Damien Williams and Darrel Williams. The Chiefs had to be three players deep at the RB position in 2018 though. If Darrell Henderson is truly the best available player at 92 then I am all for drafting the talented running back.
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