Adam’s Seven-Round Chiefs’ Mock Draft
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Arrowhead Addict is currently working on a Chiefs Ultimate Mock Draft, but that doesn’t mean the Draft Thursday Mock machine stops. We are a mere three weeks away from the NFL Draft so Merlin, Andrew, and I felt the need to sneak one more seven round mock draft in before the big day. Without further ado, here is my mock.
Round 1, Pick 21 (21) Phil Taylor 6’3” 334 lbs. Nose Tackle Baylor
Honestly, I’ve been on the Taylor bandwagon for a while. My problem was always picking him at 21 in the first round. I still have a bit of a problem with it, but I’m willing to look past it. The two questions that keep Taylor from being a rock solid 1st rounder are his character questions and the worry of him being a “one year wonder.” For me, I am cautiously optimistic that Taylor’s character issues are behind him. And if those being behind him are the reason for his production this last year, then as long as those issues stay away he should play well.
Round 2, Pick 23 (55) Torrey Smith 6’1” 204 lbs. Wide Receiver Maryland
This pick was by far the toughest pick I had to make. There was a flood of options here. In the end I had to choose between linebacker Akeem Ayers, center/guard Rodney Hudson, and Smith. I chose Smith because I figured moving Chiefs’ guard Brian Waters to center is a temporary fix if Casey Wiegmann retires and I’m willing to take a chance on linebacker Andy Studebaker. What I have no patch for is the Chiefs’ poor wide receiving corps, hence the pick of Smith. He ran a 4.41 40-yard dash at the combine. The only thing more impressive than his big play ability is his intangibles. They are Tamba Hali level intangibles, I kid you not. His hands are a little on the small side, I’m willing to take the chance.
Round 3, Pick 22 (86) James Carpenter 6’4” 321 lbs. Offensive Tackle Alabama
I’m not going to waste time writing again what I already wrote over here. Carpenter provides the Chiefs with a project tackle and adds depth as a backup while adjusting to the speed of the NFL. The fact that Carpenter played in the SEC should score points with Chiefs’ General Manager Scott Pioli.
Round 4, Pick 21 (118) Greg McElroy 6’2” 220 lbs. Quarterback Alabama
I’ve picked McElroy in a mock before and this pick still seems like a good one. Taking a look at Pioli’s draft preferences, McElroy meets them all. Played in the SEC? Check. Smart? Check. High character? Check. Good work ethic? Check. Team captain? Check.
Round 5, Pick 4 (135) Bilal Powell 5’11” 207 lbs. Running Back Louisville
The Chiefs seem to be indicating that RB Thomas Jones will be staying on for one more year. While that may be true, that doesn’t mean they should sit pat at RB. They need to be grooming a player to help share the load with RB Jamaal Charles. Ideally the player should have a power running style that would complement Charles’ style. Enter Bilal Powell. He’s a bit of a raw prospect, but he seems to have the ball carrier vision/instinct that analysts/scouts say “you’re either born with it or you’re not.” A year of tutelage under a classy, quality RB like Thomas Jones will help prepare him.
Round 5, Pick 9 (140) Clint Boling 6’5” 308 lbs. Offensive Guard Georgia
With me being unable to find a pick a center I liked in this draft, the plan is to move Brian Waters to center as a stop gap until next year. By executing that move I leave the offensive line thin at guard. So grabbing Boling here is a smart move. Boling has tons of experience as a four-year starter. He has experience at both guard spots and right tackle for the Bulldogs. He did have one DUI incident two years ago, but that is the only blemish on his record and it didn’t stop him from being named offensive captain in 2010. Honestly, I think Boling will be gone by this pick, but he will be a steal if he isn’t.
Round 6, Pick 34 (199) Brandon Bair 6’6” 276 lbs. Defensive End Oregon
Bair first came on my radar in one of Drafttek’s mock drafts, but had no further interest until NFL Network Draft Analyst Mike Mayock had some good words to say about him. What it boils down to is that Bair is a project. He needs to add some weight and strength but then should be able to play as a 3-4 defensive end. One thing that is off-putting to me is that he is 26 years old already. Generally, I like players that are drafted to be 23 or younger. However, there is good that comes out of him being 26 already. He is a mature adult who has a family, teaches Sunday school, and volunteers with the Boy Scouts. That kind of a foundation having already been laid in his life means that off the field issues will not be a problem. If anything he’ll be an example to other players.
Round 7, Pick 20 (223) Ryan Jones 5’11” 195 lbs. Cornerback Northwest Missouri State
The Chiefs are fairly set for starters in the secondary assuming last year’s draft pick Kendrick Lewis is ready to start at free safety. What is the problem with the secondary is the lack of depth. So what I’m doing here is picking an athletic, small school player who needs to learn to play his position more completely. Jones is that kind of player who is practically in the backyard of Arrowhead Stadium. For the Chiefs not to grab him is just so easy there isn’t a good reason not to.