The latest mock draft from SB Nation has the Kansas City Chiefs filling a need for an edge rusher in Round 2 with the selection of Ogbonnia Okoronkwo.
The Kansas City Chiefs have to do something with their pass rush. Beyond the presence of Justin Houston, this key component to a winning team is a complete disaster, filled with injuries, questions, confusions and lack of talent. It’s important that Brett Veach find a way to strengthen the depth and overall talent at edge rusher, which is why it’s not surprising to see mock drafts compensating for that weakness.
In the latest two-round mock draft over at SB Nation, Dan Kadar has the Chiefs selecting Ogbonnia Okoronkwo, a pass rusher and outside linebacker from Oklahoma. Okoronkwo was named Co-Defensive Player of the Year in the Big 12 along with linebacker Malik Jefferson (Texas Longhorns) after another big season in which he put up 17.5 tackles for loss, 8 sacks and 3 forced fumbles. That came after his junior year in which he added another 9 sacks for the Sooners.
Okoronkwo would be a welcome addition to the Chiefs roster simply for the fact that he’s another potential pass rusher that could use someone—anyone— to step up and help collapse the pocket.
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The downside to Okoronkwo is that he’s another project on a team filled with project pass rushers. Scouts have knocked him for his lack of competition in the Big 12, for his lack of height or weight or length, for his lack of top speed or experience in coverage. He’s known as a hard worker, a fierce competitor who can help in a rotational role. Would that help? Yes. Is that the answer? It depends on the scout.
The Chiefs might believe that Okoronkwo can turn the corner and prove the doubters wrong, but they also have other players just like that on the roster. Last year’s second round pick was Tanoh Kpassagnon, who is already a developmental project taken with a high-level investment. The team also has former draft picks like Dadi Nicolas and Ukeme Eligwe each waiting in the wings. That’s not to mention former first round pick Dee Ford and his back spasms who is apparently returning for the last year of his deal.
Taken all together it might help the Chiefs to take a more ready-now approach to solve the team’s pass rush issues. Adding someone in free agency and again in the draft with moves ready for the pro level could help ease the burden on projects who can then fill in as they are ready. Yet if Okoronkwo is that guy and we just don’t know it, the Chiefs would do well to stick to their guns.