2018 NFL mock draft: Kansas City Chiefs get better defensively

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3rd round – Jeff Holland, edge, Auburn

The idea of another pass rusher from Auburn might make some Chiefs fans cringe, but Bob Sutton’s defense could undoubtedly use another young pass rusher to develop (and maybe even more than one). Last year’s pass rushing effort as a team was unacceptable, and the Chiefs simply must focus on tightening up the secondary and the front line to make the total unit more efficient.

Holland had 45 tackles, including 13.5 of them for a loss, 4 forced fumbles and 10 sacks (the most since Dee Ford) last season in his only year as a starter for the Tigers. He replaced Carl Lawson who made a nice transition to the pros as a pass rusher last year. The limited experience will be a knock against him, which means he’ll need to impress with a standout pre-draft season to wow scouts above a third round grade.

3rd round – Simmie Cobbs, wide receiver, Indiana

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Here’s where grabbing an extra third round choice from Washington really begins to help, because at this stage, Brett Veach has already addressed the defense with two aggressive performers at two positions of need. He can either choose to stockpile talent at those same places in hopes of creating depth, competition and a surplus of talent or he can shift his focus entirely, which is what Miller has him doing here.

The Chiefs are set at wide receiver, even if Albert Wilson leaves. They still have last year’s pick in Jehu Chesson, for whom John Dorsey traded up to get in the fourth round, as a relative unknown as he sits behind Tyreek Hill, Chris Conley and DeMarcus Robinson. Given the presence of Travis Kelce and Kareem Hunt, there simply aren’t a lot of targets to go around in K.C.

That said, Simmie Cobbs is a nice upside play for the present and the future, a prospect whose ceiling could elevate him above Conley from the outset if he’s impressive enough. Even if not, he would create significant competition for Patrick Mahomes’ potential wideouts, and giving their gunslinger the best possible options is never a bad idea.

Cobbs would immediately become the single biggest target for the Chiefs offense and therein lies his value to Veach. At 6’4, 220 lbs., Cobbs would be an end zone favorite alongside Kelce who could create mismatches when the team needs it most. Cobbs had 72 catches for 842 yards and 8 touchdowns last year for the Hoosiers.

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