Brett Veach, the Kansas City Chiefs general manager, spoke to the media on Friday morning about a number of topics including trading up in the draft.
On Friday midday, Kansas City Chiefs general manager Brett Veach spoke to the media about a number of topics, including some new player additions to the team and his feelings about the upcoming 2018 NFL Draft, to be held next weekend.
Perhaps the most discussed item of note from Veach on Friday will be his remarks about trading up into the first round. Currently the Chiefs lack a first round pick due to dealing it to the Buffalo Bills in exchange for Patrick Mahomes in the 2017 NFL Draft.
#Chiefs GM Brett Veach joked that his guys are worried about him trading up..being too aggressive...adding that when they do their own mock draft scenarios to play through different situations...he was often wanting to move up.
— Chiefs Reporter (@ChiefsReporter) April 20, 2018
Asked about trading into the first round, #Chiefs GM Brett Veach answered matter-of-factly: “I think all cards are on the table."
— Pete Sweeney (@pgsween) April 20, 2018
Those are interesting quotes or anecdotes because it would take quite a bit for the Chiefs to trade up from No. 54 in the second round as their highest choice to No. 32 at least, the very last spot in the first round. Fortunately the Philadelphia Eagles hold that slot and they’ve publicly said they’re up for trading out of it in exchange for more picks.
To trade up would cost the Chiefs their second round choice and at least an additional third round choice if not another later round pick as well. The Chiefs have been rumored to be interested in one of the draft’s top cornerbacks in this case, which could mean a move up if Mike Hughes or Jaire Alexander or Josh Jackson are still available.
Securing a player in the first round allows the drafting team to control that specific player for one more year than those taken on Day Two or later. The Chiefs would be able to keep that specific player with a fifth year option if they chose to do so rather than have them hit free agency one year earlier. That sort of eventual control or at least the option might prove worth such a deal.
Among other subjects mentioned, Veach says he’s pleased with the new linebacker duo they’re heading into 2018 with, including Reggie Ragland, who he traded for last preseason, and the newly signed free agent Anthony Hitchens.
Brett Veach is happy with the Reggie Ragland trade so far, says he thinks he can be a star, and that he looks at he and Anthony Hitches as a “dynamic duo” in the middle of the defense.
— Pete Sweeney (@pgsween) April 20, 2018
Re: Ragland - I think part of Veach's feeling about him is linked to his belief in Ragland's football character. Both Ragland and Hitchens are internally regarded very high in that area
— RIP Terez A. Paylor (@TerezPaylor) April 20, 2018
Brett Veach, as he's often done, speaking very highly of LB Reggie Ragland. Thinks he can "be a star."
— Chiefs Reporter (@ChiefsReporter) April 20, 2018
Veach also made a couple observations that could make fans feel a bit better about the state of the roster, especially along the offensive line and the secondary. First of all, for those wondering why there’s been a lack of activity at left guard, where Bryan Witzmann and Parker Ehinger are expected to duke it out, the Chiefs are apparently looking to Cam Erving to be another face to watch in the competition there.
Brett Veach says Cam Erving will have a chance to compete at the interior spots
— RIP Terez A. Paylor (@TerezPaylor) April 20, 2018
That is good news for not only the starting guard spot open across from Laurent Duvernay-Tardif, but it’s also a sign he could help replace Zach Fulton has the plug-and-play starter along the interior.
Veach mentions Keith Reaser and Will Redmond as young corners on the roster he likes
— RIP Terez A. Paylor (@TerezPaylor) April 20, 2018
Veach’s mention of Reaser and Redmond in particular means that the Chiefs aren’t as thin at cornerback as you might believe. For a team that traded Marcus Peters and allowed Terrance Mitchell, Kenny Acker, Phillip Gaines and Darrelle Revis to walk in free agency, the team looks thin at corner. David Amerson, Steven Nelson and Kendall Fuller form a solid trio, but it was hard to imagine what was beyond that. Yet if Redmond is finally living up to his potential and Reaser is a serviceable back-up, then suddenly the Chiefs look a lot deeper before hitting the draft.