Every NFL draft is different.
The strengths and weaknesses of each position group change by the year. The types of players and the quality of players available also fluctuate. As Kansas City Chiefs general manager Brett Veach likes to point out, the pockets where players are selected change with each year. Everything shifts, sometimes for the better, and other times for the worse.
One thing that is constantly changing is the draft picks that your favorite team possesses. In 2020, Kansas City will have pick No. 32, 63, 96, 138 and 177. Below you’ll find a look at the players selected at each of those draft slots in 2019. While the same type of players might not be available in 2020 because of all the moving parts, this still gives us a baseline for the upcoming draft. We’ll have a better idea of what to expect in terms of impact out of the players selected in those draft slots.
Round 1, pick No. 32 – Arizona State WR N’Keal Harry
Harry appeared in just seven games, starting a total of five during his rookie season. This was due to an ankle injury that landed the first-round pick on injured reserve. During those games that he played, Harry recorded just 12 catches for 105 yards and two scores.
It wasn’t an ideal launching point for Harry, and now that Tom Brady has left New England, it makes his rookie season that much more bittersweet. In 2020, Harry will be out to prove his doubters wrong. But the quarterback situation for the Patriots leaves a lot up in the air. This could serve as an example of a situation being an important factor in the success of an NFL draft prospect.
Other players available: CB Byron Murphy, CB Rock Ya-Sin, CB Sean Murphy-Bunting, WR Deebo Samuel, WR Mecole Hardman
Round 2, pick No. 63 – Virginia S Juan Thornhill
That’s right folks, the Chiefs currently hold the same pick that they drafted Thornhill with during 2019. You don’t need me to tell you how great a selection this was for the Chiefs. He came in and worked behind Daniel Sorensen throughout the offseason, but he did enough to become the starter opposite Tyrann Mathieu on Day 1.
Thornhill recorded 56 tackles, five passes defended and three interceptions during his rookie campaign for Kansas City. Had Thornhill not been injured in the final game of the season, he would have made a strong case to become the Mack Lee Hill Award winner for 2019.
Other players available: WR D.K. Metcalf, WR Diontae Johnson, WR Terry McLaurin, DE Chase Winovich, DE Oshane Ximines
Round 3, pick No. 96 – Ole Miss TE Dawson Knox
Next to Denver Broncos TE Noah Fant, Knox was the best rookie TE in the NFL in 2019. He had the second-highest yardage total, best yards per reception average and tied for the third-most touchdowns among rookies. The great thing about that was that he was selected a whole 76 picks after Fant was in the draft. He ended up with 28 receptions for 388 yards and two touchdowns.
This was a great value pickup by the Buffalo Bills, but it’ll be interesting to see what the future holds. They were looking at some veteran free agents to come in and play the mentor role for Knox. They’re clearly expecting him to step up and be that primary receiving threat at the TE position, but how quickly will he do that?
Other players available: DE Maxx Crosby, DB Chauncey Gardner-Johnson, CB Julian Love, TE Foster Moreau
Round 4, pick No. 138 – Penn State DE Shareef Miller
Miller appeared in one game for the Eagles in 2019. He had a very good offseason and training camp for Philadelphia, but he was buried on a talented depth chart. He had a strong showing during the 2019 preseason, recording eight total tackles and two sacks. This is a player who will have a chance to see more action during his second season, but the verdict is still out regarding how much he’ll be able to contribute.
Other players available: LB Ryan Connelly, LB Dre Greenlaw, WR Hunter Renfrow, DE Charles Omenihu, WR Darius Slayton
Round 5, pick No. 177 – Rutgers DB Saquon Hampton
Hampton appeared in just five games during the 2019 season for the New Orleans Saints. During Week 15, he saw multiple snaps on defense against the Indianapolis Colts. He recorded his first career tackle, but would subsequently be placed on injured reserve with an undisclosed injury.
Other players available: QB Gardner Minshew, DT Armon Watts, CB Rashad Fenton
