The Chiefs’ goal for the 2019 NFL draft should be quite simple: Add as much defensive talent as possible.
The offense, which dominated the NFL in 2018, should be just as good as it was a year ago, but the defense has to be better if Kansas City is going to get over the Patriots hump and make it to the Super Bowl. And after losing both Justin Houston and Dee Ford this offseason, it’s clear where the front office should focus its efforts on building up the defense. Edge rusher is the biggest need, but Kansas City also needs help at cornerback and could use a replacement for Mitch Morse at center.
How will the AFC West champs approach the 2019 NFL draft? Let’s put them on the clock…
Picks
Day 1: 29th
Day 2: 61st, 63rd, 92nd
Day 3: 167th, 201st, 214th, 216th
It seems like the Chiefs rarely pick in the first round these days, but they have a first rounder this year. With a number of high-level defensive line prospects in the 2019 class, Kansas City should be able to land an impact player at a position of need despite picking late in the first.
Primary needs
1. Edge rusher
2. Cornerback
3. Center
Kansas City almost has to go with an edge player in the first round. After that, the secondary becomes the most pressing need.
Secondary needs
1. Linebacker
2. Safety
You can pretty much put the entire defense on the Chiefs’ list of needs. Linebacker and safety are weak spots (though the Tyrann Mathieu signing should help in that regard) but are not considered premium positions in today’s NFL.
First-round targets
1. Clelin Ferrell, DE Clemson
2. Erik McCoy, C Texas A&M
3. Garrett Bradbury, C North Carolina State
4. DeAndre Baker, CB Georgia
5. Amani Oruwariye, CB Penn State
If Ferrell is still on the board at 29, the Chiefs won’t hesitate to take him. But if he (or another pass rusher worth taking in the first) isn’t there, they could address their needs at center and cornerback.
Names to watch
1. Zach Allen, DE Boston College
2. Rock Ya-Sin, CB Temple
3. Jaylon Ferguson, Edge Louisiana Tech
4. Darnell Savage, S Maryland
5. Julian Love, CB Notre Dame
If Kansas City can end up with two of these guys on Day 2, they’d be ecstatic with their 2019 draft haul. Allen, an ultra-productive edge rusher with a good athletic profile, would be a steal that late in the second round.
