2018 NFL Draft: The good, the bad and the curious for the Kansas City Chiefs
By John McCarty
Brett Veach’s first draft class as a general manager brought in talented players but did little to answer some of the team’s major questions.
Kansas City Chiefs general manager Brett Veach has been lauded for being aggressive, for targeting what he wants and attacking in a way that previous general managers maybe have not. However, after the dust has settled on the 2018 NFL Draft, did the Chiefs accomplish what they set out to? Was Veach truly assertive in making the Chiefs better, or simply unable to hold his water?
I will go on record before we start and say I did not like the Chiefs draft (almost) across the board. The more the offseason progresses, the less I understand the organization’s plan for the future. This team came into draft weekend with multiple needs, especially on defense. As the dust settles on the draft, a majority of those needs remain.
Here’s a closer look at the good, the bad and the curious from the Chiefs draft class.
THE GOOD: DERRICK NNADI, ARMANI WATTS
Derrick Nnadi: The third round defensive lineman out of Florida State is likely the quickest-to-contribute player in the draft. A pure nose tackle with little to no ability to rush the passer, a player like this goes in a spot like this. The Chiefs had issues all of 2017 stopping the run, and their top option entering the draft was Xavier Williams, who signed as a restricted free agent from Arizona. Nnadi should be starting before the end of the 2018 season on non passing downs.
A big physical bull, Nnadi brings a strength and toughness in the middle of the defensive line this team has not had in years.
Armani Watts: The Chiefs fourth round selection from Texas A&M appears the most likely to help at a major position of need for the Chiefs. Watts slipped in the draft after trying to test heavier at the Combine and failing to impress. He displays the ability to make plays on the back end of the defense. The secondary needed, at a minimum, some legitimate competition at the safety and they have founded that in Watts.
Eric Murray was the top option opposite Eric Berry entering the draft, so while it took until the third day to address safety, it certainly appears the Chiefs found contributing value on the third day.