NFL Draft rumors: Kansas City Chiefs expected to trade up for cornerback

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - MARCH 05: Central Florida defensive back Mike Hughes (DB15) runs the 40 yard dash during the NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on March 5, 2018 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - MARCH 05: Central Florida defensive back Mike Hughes (DB15) runs the 40 yard dash during the NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on March 5, 2018 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)

Daniel Jeremiah of the NFL Network says that the Kansas City Chiefs are rumored to be interested in trading up in the second round to secure a top cornerback.

The Kansas City Chiefs need some help in the secondary, and the latest rumors churning about the upcoming 2018 NFL Draft has the team interested in moving up to secure the talent needed to fill the spot.

Daniel Jeremiah, a typically very reliable NFL reporter for the mother ship, came out with a new column on Monday with the latest draft rumors and projections, including the latest on the draft’s top quarterbacks and where Josh Rosen might fall. The entire column is worth a read, but it was surprising to see the Chiefs mentioned at all. He writes:

"More from Arrowhead AddictFormer Chiefs cornerback in legal trouble in Las VegasChiefs Kingdom: Get ready to break contract newsChiefs news: Travis Kelce wants to host fan ‘chug-off’ in GermanyPodcast: Breaking down the Chiefs biggest roster battlesKC Chiefs send Dave Merritt to NFL coaching acceleratorThe Chiefs don’t own a first-round pick in this year’s draft (they dealt that pick away in the Patrick Mahomes trade last year), but I won’t be surprised if they move up from where they’re picking in the second round (No. 54 overall). They have a glaring need at cornerback and the top cover men will be long gone by the time they are on the clock if they stay put at No. 54. They need to get into the range of picks 35-40 in order to secure a Day One starter at that position, and many around the league expect them to make that happen."

The lack of a first round pick is the reason why any draft rumors about the Chiefs are so rare these days. After all, when there are more than 50 picks ahead of where your highest selection resides, there’s typically very little to say given that so much is in the way of even being able to guess what will happen. However a trade up is one such rumor that makes sense given the need, the aggression of Brett Veach this offseason and Andy Reid’s recent comments.

On Monday Andy Reid met with reporters and stated his confidence in the roster, namely that the Chiefs were pretty much game-ready in terms of overall talent top to bottom. That means that the Chiefs might not look at their entire cadre of picks as necessary. Packaging a few of them together to grab some impact talent might make more sense than bringing in eight new prospects to compete with those already on the roster.

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If the Chiefs move up from No. 54 overall to the range indicated by Jeremiah, the Chiefs will likely have to give up a third round pick and maybe a bit more. However that might be worth it for the Chiefs if it means they can grab a player they love, a la Mike Hughes or Jaire Alexander or Josh Jackson. The Chiefs already brought in David Amerson for the next year, but they need another dynamic young prospect to settle in place alongside Kendall Fuller for the long haul.

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