Chiefs mock draft: Mel Kiper predicts WR Zay Jones

The latest mock draft from Mel Kiper, Jr. has the Kansas City Chiefs making a luxury pick in the first round.

Mel Kiper Jr. just released his latest mock draft over at ESPN, and he has the Kansas City Chiefs skipping over any first round quarterbacks for the sake of a (now) little known wide receiver from East Carolina University: Zay Jones.

Kiper writes:

"Not many fans know Zay Jones, but he’s a high-level talent. He slipped a little below the radar at East Carolina, but has the size, speed and hands you want, and he put on a show against good competition at the Senior Bowl. The Chiefs are no longer without weapons, given the presence of Travis Kelce and Tyreek Hill, but another receiver would help."

Of all positions that could be selected by the Chiefs, the idea of another wide receiver ranks pretty low on the list. Beyond quarterback, the Chiefs have a need for an impact player at running back or along the offensive interior. The defense is thin in the secondary and linebacker, so a playmaker at almost any level (depending on whether Dontari Poe leaves) makes sense.

Not only do the Chiefs have Tyreek Hill guaranteed to see significantly more snaps at wideout next year, but they also have an anchor atop the depth chart in Jeremy Maclin and a former third round pick who continues to emerge in Chris Conley. Last year, John Dorsey also selected Demarcus Robinson in the fourth round.

In an ideal world, it wouldn’t hurt to add another offensive playmaker for Andy Reid’s offense to a group that already includes Hill, Maclin and Travis Kelce, but some possibilities exist when the team upgrades running back at some point. There’s also simply too much need on the defensive side for more depth and youth.

Still, Jones has the size (6’2, 202 lbs) and experience to be a solid wide receiver at the NFL. He has the most receptions in FBS history, after all. That said, questions about top-end speed exist and, at this point, it feels like a luxury pick for the Chiefs.