The haul that the Chiefs got during the 2016 NFL Draft included some players who have been integral to the recent success of the team.
It was John Dorsey’s second-to-last draft with the team and included nine picks total. It would have been 10, but because of a violation of the league’s anti-tampering rules involving wide receiver Jeremy Maclin, a third-round pick was forfeited. Kansas City traded pick No. 28 in the first round to San Francisco, which used that selection to take Stanford guard Joshua Garnett, so the Chiefs’ first selection came at No. 37 overall in the second round.
Let’s take a look back at how the Chiefs did now that we have had time to see these picks in action for three years.
Round 2, No. 37: Mississippi State DT Chris Jones
Grade: A
Jones slipped out of the first round largely because of the number of defensive tackle prospects available in 2016, which had one of the best classes for that position in a long time. Guys like Kenny Clark, Sheldon Rankins and A’Shawn Robinson were all taken prior to Jones and are all now staples on their respective teams. However, Jones could be considered the best prospect to come out of that class.
Jones has been in the defensive line rotation since his rookie season and showed vast improvement in each of his three seasons in the league. In 2018 he was the sack leader for the Chiefs with 15.5 while notching at least one sack in 11 straight games. He clearly thrived in the 3-4 scheme, but we can only look back to his college days to see what his potential in a 4-3 scheme can be.
Jones and the front office are at an impasse over his contract, which is set to expire after 2019. Jones wants an extension and held out of mandatory minicamp. There is no doubt that Jones has earned a big contract, but for as good as he has been, he may not even be the best pick from the 2016 class who needs a new deal.
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Round 3, No. 74: Notre Dame CB KeiVarae Russell
Grade: D
Russell was the first of three corners drafted by the Chiefs in 2016 — none of which are with the organization any longer. Russell never played a regular-season snap for the Chiefs. Instead of getting something back for their pick, the Chiefs simply waived Russell in September 2016 and he landed with the Bengals. He’s found a role as a rotational player with the Bengals but hasn’t been very productive, with only a single interception during his career.
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Round 4, No. 105: Cincinnati OL Parker Ehinger
Grade: B-
Ehinger started four games at guard during his rookie year for the Chiefs, and many felt that he may be a future staple of the offensive line. He tore his ACL later that year, and a promising season was cut short. Ehinger was once again in the starting lineup the for the first game of the 2017 season, but failed to appear in another game that entire year.
The Chiefs traded Ehinger to the Dallas Cowboys and received cornerback Charvarius Ward as compensation before the start of the 2018 season. Ehinger never saw any action for the Cowboys thanks to injuries and was waived this year. The day after being waived, he was picked up by Jacksonville, but was once again waived and is currently a free agent.
What looked like a promising young career has been derailed by injuries. This pick receives a B-minus because of the fact that Kansas City seemingly got an impact corner out of the deal.
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Round 4, No. 106: Minnesota DB Eric Murray
Grade: C
Murray was the second defensive back taken in four picks by the Chiefs. He was converted over to a full-time safety by Bob Sutton and earned more playing time toward the latter part of his time with the Chiefs.
After the new defensive staff was brought in, Murray was dealt to Cleveland and the man who drafted him, John Dorsey. In exchange, the Chiefs received defensive end Emmanuel Ogbah. The safety room isn’t hurting after trading away Murray, who failed to make an impact during his time with the Chiefs. Ogbah adds pass rushing depth for the new 4-3 defense that the Chiefs have installed. Anytime you can swap a former fourth-round pick for a former first-round pick, it’s a no-brainer.
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Round 4, No. 126: Florida WR Demarcus Robinson
Grade: B+
Robinson did not make a catch in his rookie campaign, but in his second year, he exceeded 200 yards for the season. He still didn’t record a touchdown, but showed solid growth and development.
The 2018 season was clearly his best, with 288 receiving yards and four touchdowns, all while fighting for playing time in a crowded receiving room. Robinson will be vital for the Chiefs this season with a potential suspension coming for Tyreek Hill and former Chiefs WR Chris Conley now in Jacksonville. So far, Robinson has outperformed the average fourth-round wide receiver, and entering a contract year he could be in for a breakout season.
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Round 5, No. 162: Stanford QB Kevin Hogan
Grade: F
Hogan was taken by the Chiefs on Day 3 and didn’t make it very long with the team. He was part of the final roster cuts in 2016.
He was subsequently picked up by the Cleveland Browns and spent his rookie season with them. He played in four games and threw no touchdown passes and two interceptions. He was brought back to the Browns for a second season and started one game, appearing in four. He ended the year with just over 500 passing yards, four touchdowns and five interceptions. He was traded to the Redskins during the 2018 offseason but did not make the 53-man roster for the regular season. He is currently a member of the Denver Broncos.
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Round 5, No. 165: West Alabama WR Tyreek Hill
Grade: A-
The steal of the entire 2016 draft, Hill immediately put his explosiveness on display. He almost reached 600 receiving yards and hauled in six touchdowns. He rushed for 267 yards and three more touchdowns. On special teams, he had three more scores (one kick return, two punt returns).
He followed his rookie campaign with 1,100 receiving yards and seven receiving touchdowns in 2017. He was a favorite target of Alex Smith’s because of his superior ability to run after the catch.
The 2018 season was his true coming-out party and he proved to be Patrick Mahomes’ favorite weapon. Hill amassed nearly 1,500 yards and caught 12 touchdowns while rushing for one more. He cemented his value as a punt returner by taking another punt back to the house.
I struggled a little with the grade because of the checkered past of Hill. He was involved in a domestic violence situation back in college, plus there’s a recent child abuse investigation. It is still not clear whether Hill will be suspended by the NFL in 2019. Still, Hill’s abilities make him one of the best receivers in the game.
If the Chiefs choose to re-sign him, this pick is in contention for the best the team made in 2016. It could perhaps also be viewed as one of the best picks in the entire 2016 NFL draft, depending on what the future holds for Hill.
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Round 6, No. 178: Georgia Tech CB D.J. White
Grade: D
White was the third defensive back taken by the Chiefs in this draft. As a rookie, he recorded an interception and three passes defensed. He was waived late during the 2017 season. He spent time with the Indianapolis Colts but made no significant contributions. He is currently a free agent, and his NFL future looks bleak.
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Round 6, No. 203: Virginia Tech LB Dadi Nicolas
Grade: D
Nicolas was drafted largely on his potential to be a pass rusher in a 3-4 defensive scheme. Having played on the defensive line in college, he was pegged as a tweener in the NFL, so the Chiefs moved him to outside linebacker. He spent his rookie year in a limited role and was injured heading into his second year, which was a big setback. The Chiefs traded Nicolas to the Cleveland Browns for tight end Randall Telfer. Telfer was unable to pass his physical, and the trade was subsequently nullified. Nicolas was waived in 2018’s offseason. He was recently signed by the Colts.
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