Brett Veach’s approach to the 2020 free agency period was keeping as many players together from their 2019 roster as possible. The general manager of the Kansas City Chiefs was successful, with all of the major contributors on the Super Bowl LIV-winning squad returning for at least one more year.
It is great to see so many familiar faces coming back for a run at a Super Bowl repeat but what does that mean for the 2020 NFL Draft and years to come? Well, with quite a few prominent players being probable cap casualties in 2021, Veach should look ahead in the upcoming draft in preparation for the eventual departures.
Round 1, Pick 32 – Houston OT Josh Jones
Eric Fisher is one of those staples on the Kansas City offensive line that could be a cap casualty in 2021. The 2013 number one overall selection is set to hit free agency in 2022 but carries over $14.5 million in cap space commitments in 2021 with only three million in dead money. We could possibly see a restructure/extension to keep him around but the team could prioritize other players.
Jones has the potential to be a top-20 talent in most draft classes, but with such a loaded OT class, he could fall to the Chiefs at 32. He has good size and some really nice traits but he needs refinement in his technique. Jones could push Fisher for playing time and might even unseat the incumbent, but Kansas City doesn’t need to be in a hurry with this pick.
Round 2, Pick 63 – Virginia CB Bryce Hall
Hall is a pick who will be a future star but could also step into an early starting role for the Chiefs’ secondary. One free agent that was not retained in Kansas City was cornerback Kendall Fuller, who returned to the Redskins where his career started. Bashaud Breeland is also only returning to K.C. on a one-year deal. That opens up a need on the depth chart for the Chiefs.
Hall suffered a season-ending ankle injury back in October of 2019. Prior to the injury, Hall was widely considered a first-round talent coming out of Virginia. He has been pushed down boards due to the injury and the strange pre-draft process this year. So far there hasn’t been anything out there that signals he won’t return to his pre-injury form.
Round 3, Pick 96 – LSU OG Damien Lewis
The offensive line for Kansas City could look a lot different following 2020. Not only could Eric Fisher be a cap casualty but offensive guard Laurent Duvernay-Tardif could join him as early as this year. It looks like Duvernay-Tardif will remain in the starting lineup in 2020 unless the Chiefs trade or cut him ahead of the draft.
A potential replacement should be brought in during the draft, no matter what happens this season. Damien Lewis is a raw but talented offensive lineman out of LSU. He’s a powerful run-blocker with a good base and decent athleticism. He would be the perfect type to benefit from a developmental year and then competing for a starting role in 2021.
Round 4, Pick 138 – Utah State LB David Woodward
Woodward is a solid linebacking talent out of Utah State. He is a gap shooter, with experience at MIKE and WILL. He would fit in quite nicely in Steve Spagnuolo’s scheme, providing depth and versatility. He’s technically sound fundamentals, which make up for his lack of pure athleticism. Woodward likely would not contribute too much on defense right away unless he could secure the starting job on the weak side. Regardless, he would be a perfect special teams contributor to start his career.
Round 5, Pick 177 – Arkansas DT McTelvin Agim
The defensive line has a good list of run stuffers like Derrick Nnadi, Mike Pennel, and Khalen Saunders. However, the group could use another pass-rushing interior defensive lineman like McTelvin Agim from Arkansas. With experience playing defensive end, Agim played his final year as a Razorback as a defensive tackle and impressed immediately. He could step in for the Chiefs during pass-rushing scenarios where the other defensive tackles, besides Chris Jones, may not be as effective.
