2019 NFL mock draft: Kansas City Chiefs linked with defensive help in 1st round
By Matt Conner
Dexter Lawrence, DL, Clemson
The Kansas City Chiefs have a nice defensive front already under contract, anchored by Chris Jones who finished third in the NFL in total sacks in 2018 with 15.5. Next to Jones, the Chiefs added Derrick Nnadi in the third round last year, have Xavier Williams for one more year and watched Justin Hamilton excel with limited snaps down the stretch. The Chiefs might be watching Allen Bailey leave in free agency, but they also have last year’s top pick, Breeland Speaks, as an obvious replacement at defensive end.
However, anyone familiar with new defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo knows there are never enough bodies along the front line for his defense. For the Chiefs to adjust and give Spags what he needs to win, adding a big body like Dexter Lawrence from Clemson in the first round would be a major addition. That’s the direction Matt Stypulkoski decided to go in his latest mock.
"The Chiefs have to dedicate this offense to upgrading the defense in order to make another run at the Super Bowl next season. Lawrence drops down the draft to this spot because of his PED suspension during the college-football postseason. The Chiefs would be wise to grab him as a value pick here."
At 6-4, 340 pounds, the Chiefs would basically be looking at an instant starter and upgrade over Derrick Nnadi in the middle as the nose tackle. That’s a very good thing if the Chiefs were intent on giving Spags every luxury and building one of the NFL’s great defensive lines. This only happens, however, if the Chiefs take care of other needs in free agency very clearly, which means adding a safety, a cornerback and maybe even a linebacker.
In short, if the Chiefs take Lawrence, it means the team already feels good about its defensive makeover before the draft even begins.