Second Round options for the Kansas City Chiefs

Over the past three months, a lot’s been said about what the Kansas City Chiefs might do with the 28th-overall pick, in the first round, of April’s NFL Draft. Given the team’s free agency haul, it’s become increasingly difficult to predict. I’ve recently thrown my hat into the ring — twice.

Today, will be my third — and final — foray into draft prognostication this year. Only this time, I’d like to turn my attention to the Chiefs’ second-round pick. Without a third rounder, surrendered to the NFL for tampering with Jeremy Maclin, there’s increased pressure to hit on the top two selections.

With only one pick on Day Two of the draft, the Chiefs have their work cut out for them with the 28th and 59th-overall picks. Lately, Kansas City’s had success in finding third-round contributors. Since general manager John Dorsey took office, he’s drafted the following in round three: Chris Conley, Phillip Gaines, Travis Kelce, and Knile Davis.

All four of them made a significant contribution in Year One. On the chance they lose their appeal with the NFL, the margin for error’s much smaller with their second-round selection.

The recent additions of safeties Jimmy Wilson and Stevie Brown have all but taken the team out of the market at safety. If I could hazard a guess about Dorsey’s current big board, I’d wager that cornerback and wide receiver are the two positions atop his list. Sure, I know everyone says he adheres to a strict best player available philosophy, but I don’t buy it.

That’s an oversimplified way to explain the rationale behind such a lengthy, labor-intensive process. Any draft approach worth its salt will consider positional depth, roster need, positional value, fit, liability, and roster value (I defined these six categories in depth in this 2014 draft article). That said, let’s assume they pull the trigger at cornerback in the top round; on, say, Eli Apple.

Next: A pair of players to consider...