NFL mock draft: Mel Kiper gives Chiefs a defensive lineman

In his latest NFL mock draft (Version 2.0), ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper is looking at the Kansas City Chiefs and seeing a need one the defensive line. In that vein, Kiper is mocking Jihad Ward to Kansas City, who played defensive end at the university of Illinois.

This is an interesting pick. Ward is a senior who is listed at 6-foot-6 and 295 pounds. He is anticipated to be at the NFL Scouting Combine, something that he hopes will further improve his stock. Ward was mostly considered a second-round pick but had a great showing at the Senior Bowl, rising up the ranks.

If Jaye Howard leaves in free agency, than this pick makes a ton of sense. Ward would immediately come in and replace Howard, and general manager John Dorsey could fill out the rest of the depth chart accordingly. Should Howard stay on, it makes sense to think this pick isn’t happening.

In college, Ward was more of a run-stuffer, only racking up 1.5 sacks in 2015. Illinois was also a terrible team the entire time Ward was there, so that is also something to consider. It will be interesting to see how Dorsey attacks the 2016 NFL Draft, which starts on April 28 in Chicago.