The first round of the 2018 NFL Draft is now in the books, but there are plenty of players left for teams like the Kansas City Chiefs to be excited about.
After the Cleveland Browns finally decided to end the suspense of what would happen at the top of the first round, the rest of Round One of the 2018 NFL Draft included plenty more surprises where that came from. What began with gasps when Baker Mayfield’s name was selected continue with the fall of Derwin James, the multitude of trades, the value of interior linemen and more.
Looking ahead to Round 2 on Friday night, there are still plenty of very, very exciting players available for teams to select. Let’s get ready for the next two rounds for the Kansas City Chiefs by looking at five players still available who should intrigue Brett Veach enough to potentially trade up (or cross his fingers in hopes he can still get them by the time he picks.
Harold Landry, Boston College, EDGE
Two season ago, Harold Landry led the country with 16.5 sacks. Last year, inconsistent play and injury kept Landry’s numbers low and those injury concerns in particular are what kept Landry from being a top 10 pick.
Despite the issues, most NFL analysts are dumbstruck that Landry’s name was never called during the first round. The raw ability is simply too good and the need on many teams too great to pass up a player like Landry.
For a team like the Chiefs, Dee Ford is around as is Tanoh Kpassagnon, so there’s reason to believe that there might be hope across from Justin Houston. But as they say, you can never have enough pass rushers and having such a strong talent able to learn and grow as a second round choice would make him a fantastic addition for the Chiefs.
James Daniels, Iowa, Center
The Chiefs might have more defensive needs, but when the best overall center according to several NFL draft analysts remains available, you have to at least think about it.
James Daniels is a top center prospect from the University of Iowa, a factory of offensive linemen custom-made for the Kansas City Chiefs zone blocking scheme. Kirk Ferentz knows how to get his guys ready for the pro level, and Daniels is a guy who will be able to plug right in as a starter.
Now that would mean the Chiefs would have to shuffle some things. Daniels might be able to step out as a guard instead of center, but to play to everyone’s strengths, it might be worth shifting Mitch Morse to guard. Daniels could come in and become the next center for the next several years for the Chiefs and Morse could audition as the team’s left guard in a contract season, a place he already has experience during his career at Mizzou.
Josh Jackson, Iowa, Cornerback
Let’s stay in Iowa but switch sides for a second.
Josh Jackson was a ballhawk last season for the Iowa Hawkeyes and led the country with 8 interceptions and 26 passes defended. Those sorts of numbers turned him into a likely first round prospect. Given the need for playmaking corners in the league, it’s a shock to see Jackson still on the board after the first round.
The knock against Jackson is likely his one-year wonder numbers, but let’s not forget that Jackson was a wide receiver as recently as 2015, so he’s still a work in progress. What’s clear is that he has a nose for the ball and comes ready to be a press man corner.
What the Chiefs might need to realize is that Jackson is going to be learning on the fly so he might make some early mistakes, but the reality is that the Chiefs need such a playmaker after trading away their single best turnover machine in Marcus Peters to the Los Angeles Rams. If the Chiefs could add Jackson in the second, it’d be a major get and would complete a remade secondary in a single offseason.
Carlton Davis, Auburn, cornerback
Speaking of very physical cornerbacks, Carlton Davis has been mocked to the Chiefs by several NFL Draft analysts, and fans and maybe even Brett Veach are certainly glad to see the Auburn product is still available after the first round.
Davis doesn’t come with the numbers that Jackson put up with Iowa last year, but he’s very physical and comes with a lot more experience than Jackson at this point as a four-year starter. Davis has also been playing at a high level against college football’s best for some time, which means the Chiefs could draft him and be very confident by putting him on the outside from Week 1.
Having an experienced player come in could be a huge help to the Chiefs who have traded Marcus Peters and brought in Kendall Fuller from the Washington Redskins. Fuller has the talent to play outside but his primary experience is inside as a slot corner, where he excelled last season. Unfortunately that’s also Steven Nelson’s primary spot as the incumbent. That leaves David Amerson to start outside unless the Chiefs bring in someone like Davis.
Bringing Davis to play opposite Fuller would allow Amerson and Nelson to excel against lower-tier options on the depth chart and round out a pass defense that lost 7 players from last season.
Justin Reid, Stanford, Safety
The Kansas City Chiefs already look thin at safety and that’s before you think too critically about the fact that Eric Berry is returning from a season-ending injury for the third time in his career. Berry is certainly an extraordinary athlete, and if anyone can return to form, it’s him. That said, is it a must that he will be as dominant as before when the Chiefs suit up in Week 1? It’s hard to say.
Even with Berry back at full strength, the Chiefs are still in need of some young talent with a high ceiling at the position. Eric Murray is in place opposite Berry at this point with Daniel Sorensen around to back them up and play a hybrid role in subpackage situations. Ron Parker was released, however, and that mantle being placed on Murray’s shoulders is likely a bit too much.
Enter Justin Reid, brother of free agent safety Eric Reid, who was a second-team All-American at Stanford. Last season, Reid had 99 tackles, 5 interceptions, 6.5 tackles for a loss and 6 passes defended. He can step right in and start for the Chiefs, showing a nose for the ball while possessing the sort of speed to play deep at the next level. He’d be a nice fit next to Berry and would provide a high investment in case everything falls apart at the position.
Mike Gesicki, Penn State, Tight End
For years, Chiefs fans have dreamed of the sort of dual tight end threat that the New England Patriots have enjoyed at one time or another. It’s simply Madden-esque to think about running Travis Kelce out there with someone just as talented on the opposite side. How could defensive coordinators even bother defending such a duo?
Well perhaps the Chiefs could utilize such a set-up if they were to take Mike Gesicki in the second round. The Penn State weapon is a future star at the position and together with Kelce, they could make life miserable for opposing linebackers (and imagine the safety net that both could provide for Patrick Mahomes in his first season as mismatches in the passing game).
As a blocker, there’s plenty of work ahead for Gesicki, but there’s no denying that his hands are among the best in the draft.
Next: How the AFC West changed during Round 1
Who interests you, Chiefs fans? Anyone we missed? Do you have a favorite from this list? We’d love to hear from you in the comments.