Picks that could affect Chiefs’ first round selection

Pick 2 (Browns) / Pick 7 (49ers) / Pick 8 (Eagles) / Pick 15 (Rams) / Pick 19 (Bills) / Pick 20 (Jets)

It’s clear what all six of these teams lack; a long-term quarterback option. For the Chiefs sake, however, the ideal scenario would be for only two of these teams to address the quarterback position in the first round. This would make it very likely for Paxton Lynch to be available at pick 28 for the Chiefs.

The reason this would be huge for the Chiefs is that they would have the option of drafting a clear quarterback of the future with upside and would also likely have a few teams calling in trying to negotiate for the pick in order to get Lynch. There’s no denying how important a quarterback is, so if Paxton Lynch were to be available at No. 28 the Chiefs could come out with a potential franchise quarterback or extra draft picks from a trade down.

Pick 13 (Dolphins) / Pick 21 (Redskins) / Pick 25 (Steelers)

The Chiefs struck gold with a first round cornerback in last year’s draft, and it’s likely they’re looking to do the same this year to replace Sean Smith. If the Chiefs are indeed targeting a first round corner they better hope that either Mackensie Alexander, William Jackson, or Eli Apple are available assuming that Vernon Hargreaves is long gone by pick 28.

What’s scary about this hope is that the trio of Alexander, Jackson, and Apple could very likely be selected in any order by the three teams I identified above. If this were to happen, the Chiefs would have to reach if they really wanted a corner and take a player like Artie Burns or Xavien Howard, both of whom I’d only feel comfortable drafting in the second round at the earliest.

Pick 17 (Falcons) / Pick 18 (Colts)

With uncertainty still surrounding the timetable for Justin Houston’s return, we have to think that a pass rushing outside linebacker is being heavily looked into by the Chiefs. It’s a pretty weak class overall for edge rushers, but there’s two guys in Noah Spence and Leonard Floyd that would be very nice additions to the Chiefs defense. The problem is, there’s no guarantee that either of these players make it to pick 28 since many teams, especially the Falcons and Colts, will surely be considering these players.

If both or one of Spence or Floyd were to slip past both these teams, there’s a decent chance they could slide all the way down to the Chiefs. This would be significant since it’s looking like if you want a dynamic edge rusher in this draft you’re going to have to select one pretty early. It’s more likely that Floyd falls than Spence, but let’s hope they’re available so the Chiefs can at least have the option of bringing in an edge pass rusher with plenty of potential.

Next: Second wave