2018 NFL Draft: The good, the bad and the curious for the Kansas City Chiefs
By John McCarty
THE BAD: KAHLIL McKENZIE
Beyond the cute storyline of the Chiefs drafting the son of their rival’s general manager, the selection of Kahlil McKenzie is bizarre and borders on ridiculous. After playing defensive line, the Chiefs used two seventh round draft picks and traded up to select a guy with the intent of completely changing his position.
Don’t make the mistake of dismissing late round selections. Starting right guard Laurent Duvarney-Tardiff was a sixth round selection as was current Texan and former Chiefs guard Zach Fulton. Interior lineman Bradley Bozeman (Alabama, 7-215) and Will Clapp (LSU, 7-245) both played center in the SEC and would have provided the Chiefs will valuable depth at multiple spots along the interior. Both were on the board when the Chiefs traded up for McKenzie.
Considering current center Mitch Morse was injured much of last year and your 2017 backup was Fulton, McKenzie’s spot would have been far more valuable finding someone that can back up multiple positions. Currently, no one is sure if McKenzie can back up any of the positions.
You don’t trade up in a spot like this unless the guy is on the roster. Expect a college defensive tackle to be your versatile interior lineman this season. Feeling good if there is an injury? Me neither.