NFL mock draft: Chiefs’ offense gets even better with projections

The Kansas City Chiefs offense is already high-powered, but CBS Sports’ latest mock is giving them even more weapons to toy around with.

The workload for defensive coordinators around the NFL is already much heavier on any week his particular team is playing the Kansas City Chiefs. With the NFL’s reigning MVP under center in Patrick Mahomes and an assortment of dangerous playmakers, the Chiefs offense will likely remain at or near the top of NFL rankings for some time.

A new two-round mock draft at CBS Sports seems intent on making certain the Chiefs are the best offense in the business. Despite serious holes on defense, Ryan Wilson of CBS Sports has the Chiefs loading up on the opposite side. If it seems far-fetched, just know that Wilson isn’t completely ignorant of the details at work in K.C. these days.

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In the first round, Wilson knows what the Chiefs need most and that’s pass defenders. He’s made a popular connection at No. 29 overall in the bottom of the first round to bring Georgia cornerback DeAndre Baker to Kansas City. He writes:

"Baker is only 5-foot-11 and 190 pounds but he faced off against the best best wideouts in the country and rarely lost. He’s not as athletic as Greedy Williams but he’s a more consistent playmaker, something this Chiefs’ secondary lacked a season ago."

Wilson is right on here. The Chiefs failed to sign Ronald Darby and are currently Darqueze Dennard. But even with a potential free agent addition (or even two), the Chiefs’ only dependable corner is Kendall Fuller. Baker would go a long way toward bringing talent and depth to a unit with a lot of uncertainty and lack of experience.

The Chiefs have two picks at the bottom of the second round, and it’s here that Wilson has them cranking up the offensive wattage. In near back-to-back picks at No. 61 and 63 overall, Wilson has the Chiefs taking Ohio State wide receiver Parris Campbell and Penn State running back Miles Sanders.

While the Chiefs seem like they have enough playmakers, there are actually some cracks in the foundation. Recent incident reports of child abuse that feature the names of Tyreek Hill and his wife have revealed just how quickly things could unravel for the Chiefs most dangerous target, given his history. Fair or not, the rug was pulled out from under him faster than the news could even break. Wilson gets this and writes:

"Campbell ran a 4.31 40-yard dash at the combine, and while not many of his routes were deep ones, he’s a crafty underneath technician who will flourish in an Andy Reid offense offense, especially if Tyreek Hill faces sanctions from the league."

Even beyond Hill’s current circumstances, the Chiefs offense slowed when Sammy Watkins was injured for a spell and the team has lost Chris Conley in free agency to the Jacksonville Jaguars. Adding another speedy option like Campbell for Andy Reid to use to create mismatches makes a lot of sense for the Chiefs. Campbell would remain a young versatile option on offense who is also cheap for the next four years, even as other players get expensive.

As for Sanders, it might surprise some Chiefs fans to see a running back taken in the second round here, especially after signing Carlos Hyde. But Hyde is himself a one-year commitment and Damien Williams has been signed to a two-year extension that’s easily trimmed to one year if the Chiefs wanted. Neither player is expensive, and neither offers the tremendous all-around impact of Kareem Hunt, who was let go in early December. Wilson writes:

"Sanders sat behind Saquon Barkley in 2017 but rushed for 1,274 yards last season (5.8 YPC) and 9 touchdowns. He’s also a threat in the passing game and would go a long way in replacing Kareem Hunt, who was released in 2018."

It’s likely here at No. 63 that most Chiefs fans will disagree with Wilson and that makes sense. Hyde and Williams will get the job done adequately for this coming season and the Chiefs have far more pressing matters, especially if they’ve already landed Campbell.

It’s here that Wilson still hasn’t drafted corner options like Lonnie Johnson or Rock Ya-Sin for any team or a safety like Darrell Savage. Any of those players would be welcome in Kansas City in that slot over Sanders, especially if other options like Devin Singletary could be picked up in the third round at running back.

Wilson’s mock is a nice reminder, however, that the Chiefs have offensive holes to address to maintain their dominance. That also includes tight end behind Travis Kelce and center with Mitch Morse out of the way. There might be short-term answers installed, but the Chiefs would do well to keep eyes on both sides of the ball as they draft in April.