Chiefs mock draft: Corner is coming
The Kansas City Chiefs have a clear need at one spot of their defense, and most experts are noticing.
The 2016 NFL Draft is on April 28, and the experts are starting to pump out mock drafts like they are going out of style. Of course, there will be a million of them in the coming six weeks, with people taking them as gospel and screaming about the pick from the hilltops.
Kansas City is sitting with the 28th-overall pick and could certainly go in some different directions. General manager John Dorsey could be looking to replace Sean Smith with a corner, taking a man on the outside for a second straight year. Then there is wide receiver. The Chiefs could absolutely take a partner in crime for Jeremy Maclin, hoping to make some bigger plays downfield.
Let’s see what the experts have to say about the Chiefs and their first-round pick:
CBS Sports (Pete Prisco) – Eli Apple, CB, Ohio State
"They lost Sean Smith to the Raiders, and even with Philip Gaines coming off injury I think they could use another. Apple is a talented player who could be the nickel as a rookie."
Pro Football Focus (Cris Collinsworth) – Jerron Reed, DL, Alabama
"Reed is one of the best run defenders in this draft. He’s a powerful inside defensive lineman who sheds blocks quickly and holds his ground against double teams. The reason he falls to the end of the first round is that he hasn’t produced as a pass-rusher. But the more I watch of his tape, the more I think he will surprise as a pass-rusher. When given a chance to get on the edge of a blocker, he can get up field and has surprising quickness closing on a quarterback. Statistics show he is not a pass-rusher, but I believe he will at least get penetration and five sacks per year."
SB Nation (Dan Kadar) – William Jackson, CB, Houston
"The Chiefs lost Sean Smith to division rival Oakland, but there are some options to find his replacement. Sure, this would mean Kansas City has picked a cornerback in the first round two consecutive years. But last year’s defense showed how much it needs two lockdown corners."
CBS Sports (Rob Rang) – Le’Raven Clark, OT, Texas Tech
"Eric Fisher has yet to live up to expectations after being selected No. 1 overall three years ago and depth remains an issue all over Kansas City’s offensive line. Head coach Andy Reid, a former offensive line coach, himself, could be intrigued by the remarkable combination of length (including 36 1/8” arms) and light feet on the 6-5, 316-pound Clark. Protecting the edges is key with Von Miller and Khalil Mack in the division."
Sports Illustrated (Chris Burke) – Eli Apple, CB, Ohio State
"Could the Chiefs double down on first-round cornerbacks, after landing Marcus Peters last year? Why not? They likely are about to lose Sean Smith, whose early-season absence caused substantial issues. Apple (6′ 1″, 200) is cut from the same cloth: aggressive, almost to a fault.If the Chiefs sign a cornerback … or if they decide they can wait in the draft thanks to Peters’s presence, this is another team where the defensive line and linebacker spots are short on long-term talent. A wide receiver—Tyler Boyd, Sterling Shepard, Corey Coleman, Michael Thomas and Braxton Miller are all sitting there—would open up the offense."