Draft Targets:
With 10 total projected picks, the Chiefs will have plenty of ammo to upgrade and fill holes throughout the team. As to be expected from John Dorsey the Chiefs will likely take a best player available approach, but that doesn’t mean certain positions wont hold more weight. The top positions the Chiefs should target are: OL, DL, DB, RB, and a developmental QB.
Here are my top potential candidates for each position:
QB: Patrick Mahomes II, Texas Tech, 6′ 3” 219 lbs.
My favorite player in the draft, and one I hope the Chiefs target in the first two rounds. Mahomes played in a spread offense, but showed the ability to read coverages, manipulate, safeties, and hit tight windows. He reminds many people of Derek Carr who also played in a similar spread offense at Fresno State. Andy Reid has gone on record saying he wished he would have drafted Derek Carr, and this time around he may get his chance to get a very similar player.
RB: Christian McCaffrey, Stanford, 6′ 0” 197 lbs.
While the Chiefs did suffer some injuries and deal with inconsistencies across the offensive line. The Chiefs had a notable regression of play at the running back position. I see no better player that the Chiefs could target than McCaffrey. At Stanford McCaffrey ran in a zone-read system, much like the Kansas City Chiefs already run. While at Stanford, McCaffrey was able to do the seemingly impossible and broke Barry Sander’s NCAA single-season record for all-purpose yardage (3,250 yards). Perhaps what the Chiefs may like most from McCaffrey is his ability to catch out of the backfield. The Chiefs are well known for making the running back a high valued target in the passing game. McCaffrey would be the perfect compliment to Spencer Ware, and be exactly what the Chiefs were looking for out of Charcandrick West.
OL: Forrest Lamp, Western Kentucky, 6′ 3” 305 lbs.
Lamp originally started as a right guard at Western Kentucky before moving over to left tackle for the remainder of his college career. Unfortunately Lamp lacks the prototypical size for an offensive tackle in the NFL, but is projected to be a stud at guard in the pros. Lamp doesn’t win with power, but with perfect technique. Playing in a pass heavy offense in college prepared him well for the pass happy NFL. On the ground Lamp is able to redirect his man and open holes for the running back as opposed to winning them over with power. Lamp’s technique and athleticism should make him a perfect fit for the Chiefs zone-read run game.
DL: Malik McDowell, Michigan State, 6′ 6” 276 lbs.
Perhaps the most interesting and intriguing prospect on this list. McDowell was a dominating force on an otherwise weak Michigan State line. There are some character concerns with him, but would be in a strong locker room. McDowell would not be asked to be the defense’s biggest playmaker as he was at Michigan State. The biggest problem the Chiefs have had in the Andy Reid era on defense has been a lack of pressure from the inside. McDowell would be a perfect fit to pair with Chris Jones Jr. rotating from the DE and DT position. McDowell could stand to add some more weight to fit in at the defensive end spot in a 3-4. Current Chief defensive end Allen Bailey is listed at 288 on the Chiefs official website.
DB: Desmond King, Iowa, 5′ 10” 206 lbs
King is an interesting DB prospect. While King is excellent in coverage and plays very instinctively, he’s been knocked for his speed and quickness. Some have suggested that King may be best suited at Safety in the NFL. The Chiefs currently have 2 safeties slated to hit the open market, and have a lack of depth at the cornerback position. Another interesting aspect is one of the Chiefs current starting safeties (Ron Parker) is a converted cornerback. So targeting King could kill two birds with one stone, and may wind up with either a starting safety or starting cornerback. King also reminds me of current Chiefs #2 CB Terrance Mitchell who is about the same size and has speed issues. King should be on the mind of the Chiefs brass throughout the 2nd and 3rd rounds.