2017 NFL mock draft: Chiefs avoid QB until late rounds
By Matt Conner
Nico Siragusa, San Diego State, OG (4th, 131 overall)
The acclaimed guard out of San Diego State is better suited as a run blocker at this point, but there’s a lot to like about his game. For the Chiefs, the guard slots are likely filled already at starter, although Siragusa could certainly push Parker Ehinger for a starting role in camp if Ehinger can’t return to form from a season-ending injury. The Chiefs are looking ultra-competitive along the offensive line, but adding a prospect like Siragusa makes sense as the team could likely move on from Jah Reid in 2018.
Chad Kelly, QB, Ole Miss (5th, 170 overall)
There are two schools of thought about Chad Kelly. There’s the obvious physical talents that are apparent from the start, the kind that made him such a celebrated recruit as a high school QB and the ones that led to wins over Alabama and LSU during his junior season. That said, the off-the-field issues never seem to stop, from authority issues on the team to a nightclub altercation. There’s a reason he wasn’t even allowed to throw at the NFL Combine.
This seems more about grabbing a quarterback than anything else. No one thinks Kelly will ever be the sort of franchise quarterback that would supplant Alex Smith. If anything, Smith’s ceiling is as high as Kelly’s and it’s already proven. This pick just makes no sense other than filling out the depth chart at quarterback.
Aaron Jones, UTEP, RB (5th, 180 overall)
Jones was a highly productive back at UTEP with over 4,000 career rushing yards during his tenure. He ran for 1,773 of those just last season with 17 touchdowns. He has some injury history, and the level of competition is suspect here, but this is a fifth round pick. Jones is a nice pick-up for a team looking for some competition with Spencer Ware, C.J Spiller and Charcandrick West in the backfield