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Chiefs mock drafts: Big trade has impact

By Matt Verderame

Dec 31, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Houston Cougars cornerback William Jackson III (3) accepts the award for most outstanding player on defense from ESPN
Dec 31, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Houston Cougars cornerback William Jackson III (3) accepts the award for most outstanding player on defense from ESPN /
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Last week, the Tennessee Titans and Los Angeles Rams made a massive trade, shaking up the entire 2016 NFL Draft.

As all of you have surely seen by now, Tennessee and Los Angeles flipped the draft upside down with their huge deal on Thursday. With the trade (Los Angeles and Tennessee flipped first-round picks, with the Rams sending two 2016 second-round selections, this year and next year’s third-round picks as well while getting back fourth and sixth-round picks in 2016), the NFL Draft has taken on a new shape.

While some might not believe this move impacts the Kansas City Chiefs, it most certainly does. With three quarterbacks almost certain to go in the first seven picks now, look for Connor Cook to get more action early. This means one more non-quarterback is likely to slide to the Chiefs at No. 28.

Also, the Denver Broncos are much less likely to get Cook at No. 31. Figure Jared Goff and Carson Wentz go off the board in the first two picks. Paxton Lynch could go to either the San Francisco 49ers or Philadelphia Eagles, both picking in the top 10. If he falls a bit, the New York Jets could scoop him up before we get into the playoff teams.

Expect a team like the Arizona Cardinals or even Dallas Cowboys to be aggressive in hopes of beating Denver to the punch for Cook. Kansas City will likely be able to sit back and watch the scramble while players fall down the board because of this. It doesn’t have an Earth-shattering effect on Kansas City, but it certainly matters.

In any event, here is who the experts believe will be coming to the Chiefs on April 28:

SB Nation (Dan Kadar) – Robert Nkemdiche, DT, Ole Miss

"At what point does the reward outweigh the potential risk in the draft? That is what every team considering Nkemdiche will wonder when the draft starts. If Nkemdiche stays on the straight and narrow, some team could get a steal. That team could be the Chiefs, who could upgrade an end spot with the athletic, former blue-chip recruit."

NFL.com (Charles Davis) – William Jackson III, CB, Houston

"Lose terrific CB Sean Smith in free agency?! And, to division rival Oakland?! Time to add a running mate to last year’s NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year, Marcus Peters."

NFL.com (Daniel Jeremiah) – Kevin Dodd, DE, Clemson

"Andy Reid and John Dorsey know you can never have enough pass rushers."

NFL.com (Bucky Brooks) – Eli Apple, CB, Ohio State

"After losing Sean Smith during free agency, the Chiefs could go after the Ohio State standout to fill the void on the perimeter."

CBS Sports (Rob Rang) – William Jackson III, CB, Houston

"After losing Sean Smith to the division-rival Raiders, the Chiefs have a huge hole at cornerback opposite rookie Pro Bowler Marcus Peters. Scouts have some reservations about the level of competition Jackson faced at Houston after transferring in from a junior college, but his combination of length, speed and awareness of the ball in coverage stand out on tape, making him a potentially ideal complement to Peters. – William Jackson III, CB, Houston"

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