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2019 NFL mock draft: Kansas City Chiefs linked with defensive help in 1st round

By Matt Conner

BERKELEY, CA - OCTOBER 27: Byron Murphy #1 of the Washington Huskies looks on between plays against the California Golden Bears at California Memorial Stadium on October 27, 2018 in Berkeley, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)
BERKELEY, CA - OCTOBER 27: Byron Murphy #1 of the Washington Huskies looks on between plays against the California Golden Bears at California Memorial Stadium on October 27, 2018 in Berkeley, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images) /
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ATLANTA, GA – DECEMBER 01: Deandre Baker #18 of the Georgia Bulldogs tackles Henry Ruggs III #11 of the Alabama Crimson Tide in the first half during the 2018 SEC Championship Game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on December 1, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Scott Cunningham/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA – DECEMBER 01: Deandre Baker #18 of the Georgia Bulldogs tackles Henry Ruggs III #11 of the Alabama Crimson Tide in the first half during the 2018 SEC Championship Game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on December 1, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Scott Cunningham/Getty Images) /

Deandre Baker, CB, Georgia

It’s not a surprise to see the Chiefs linked with cornerbacks since we’ve already covered Murphy. Baker has been a familiar face in mock drafts before. The cornerback class has several players vying for these coveted first-round spots and Baker is a good bet to be gone by this point or at least by the end of the round.

Lance Zierlein of NFL.com is the latest analyst to link him to the Chiefs. Baker won this year’s Jim Thorpe award as the best defensive back in college football—an honor earned by Minkah Fitzpatrick, Adoree Jackson, Patrick Peterson and even Eric Berry in recent years. He writes:

"Baker feels like one of the safest cornerbacks in this draft. He’s a bit lighter than what you’d like for a starting corner in the NFL, but he’s tough, very sticky in man coverage and has the ability to make plays on the ball."

Baker had 40 tackles for Georgia last season and has seven career interceptions after wrapping his senior season. He also broke up 9 passes both this year and last season.

We already discussed the need for cornerback above a bit, but the Chiefs overall need at the position will depend on what they do with Steven Nelson or how things look coming out of the free agent frenzy that will subside about one full month before the draft. If the Chiefs retain Nelson and can head into the draft with Fuller, Nelson and Charvarius Ward as the core trio moving forward, that’s not the worst foundation in the league. Adding Baker would turn an average unit into a real strength.

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