2017 NFL mock draft: Chiefs haul includes new quarterback
By Matt Conner
Round One: Sidney Jones, CB, Washington (No. 27 overall)
The Marcus Peters comparisons come easy with Sidney Jones, but it’s not just because he’s a cornerback from Washington who is being mocked to the Chiefs. He also has an incredibly high ceiling at the pro level with a knack for making game-changing plays. Last year he was named first-team All Pac-12, and even though he’s only a junior, he comes with three years starting experience with eight career interceptions.
As for his potential fit on the Chiefs, Reuter has a good understanding of what the team needs on defense, even if most fans will hope for a quarterback here instead of another cornerback. The Chiefs have invested heavily in the secondary in recent years, and they’ve been rewarded with Peters’ play as well as the emergence of Steven Nelson at corner.
Unfortunately, Phillip Gaines, the primary recipient of every chance to start opposite Peters in the defensive backfield, has yet to take full advantage of the opportunity. The former third round pick has shown flashes of why John Dorsey picked him so high, but injuries have kept him from getting the reps needed to find out if he’s the real deal or not. With only 13 starts in three years, Dorsey has been forced to try others at the spot, including last year’s surprise Terrance Mitchell.
Despite Mitchell’s breakout performance, no team should rely on him going forward, since Mitchell was a practice squad player until November who was trying to make his fourth NFL roster. That makes Jones a solid get, a game-changing corner in a pass-happy NFL on a team who could use another top flight corner to make the secondary a truly elite unit.