Draft Insider Dane Brugler of NFLDraftScout.com shares some thoughts about the upcoming NFL draft and the Kansas City Chiefs.
With the NFL Draft less than two weeks away, the rumors are swirling like never before. Teams are being linked to specific prospects, mock drafts are taking deep dives, and teams are sending smokescreens left and right.
To help sift through the noise, we recently reached out to Dane Brugler, the man behind NFLDraftScout.com, to tell us more about players he likes and how they might fit the Kansas City Chiefs.
Is one position group (or groups) the focus more than others for the Chiefs in the lead up to the draft?
I’d say defense as a whole. The Chiefs need to address each level and add talent to not only provide depth, but push the starters. Kansas City got younger this offseason on defense and that will obviously only continue with the players they add via the draft.
Is there a name (names) attached to the Chiefs?
I don’t think so. And part of that is not having a first round pick. We can track the names the Chiefs are bringing in for top-30 visits—wide receiefr Daurice Fountain, linebacker/safety Foye Oluokun, etc.—and working out, but I don’t think us on the outside can point to any one prospect being a specific target.
What do you view as the Chiefs’ biggest position of need?
There is an argument to be made for several positions, but I’d lean cornerback. Marcus Peters is gone, Kendall Fuller is in. They need an impact outside cornerback. That could come in the second round if a player like Mike Hughes, Carlton Davis or Donte Jackson is available for them.
Completely unfair question, but if there was one player that will be drafted by the Chiefs, who would that be?
Pure shot in the dark, but I’ll saw Ohio LB Quentin Poling in the later rounds. The Chiefs have showed interest and have the need. Poling could be a nice fit.
Names in general a Chiefs fan will want to be familiar with for the upcoming draft.
Too many to name. But I’ll give you a few names that I have projected to the Chiefs in my current seven-round mock draft: linebacker Shaquem Griffin, defensive tackle B.J. Hill, defensive end/outside linebacker Dorance Armstrong, and wide receiver J’Mon Moore.
Thoughts on the Chiefs moves thus far this off season?
A few bombshells—signing Sammy Watkins, trading Peters—and some expected shedding of the older payroll: Tamba Hali, Ron Parker. And then unloading Alex Smith, getting the best deal possible. Overall, the Chiefs look like an improved team based on the moves so far.
A player that will go higher then what experts are anticipating?
Stanford FS Justin Reid. He could sneak into the Top 25 overall.
A player that will go lower then expected?
Oklahoma State QB Mason Rudolph. I’m not buying the first round hype.
What do you believe the Giants do at 2?
Trade. At some point between now and draft day, they will receive an offer that will be too good to pass up.
Where would you rank Patrick Mahomes in this year’s QB draft class?
If Mahomes were in this class, he would be competing with Rosen and Mayfield for the No. 2 quarterback spot behind Darnold for me.
A lot of teams are in need of QB’s, who comes away with their QB in this draft?
Cleveland, N.Y. Jets, Buffalo. And then probably Arizona, Denver. The Giants are the wild card.
Who is your favorite player, regardless of position, in this draft?
Probably Georgia linebacker Roquan Smith. He’s a stud.
What does draft night look like for you?
I’m camped out at The Star in Frisco (Cowboys facility) where I do a live stream and cover every pick all three days.
Dane Brugler is a senior draft analyst for NFLDraftScout.com. His profile on twitter is @dpbrugler