2019 NFL Draft: A comprehensive preview and predictions for the Kansas City Chiefs

Round 3, Pick 92

Priority #1: Development and Special Teams

This is the range in the draft where Kansas City should shift their focus to finding diamonds in the rough. These young players are typically going to have an elite trait, maybe two if they’re lucky. They will offer some special teams value and the team will need a clear path to develop them-which, if done correctly, should produce a starting caliber player sooner than later.

Priority #2: Trade Down

This is the spot where Kansas City can hop down into the early-to-mid part of the 4th round, and potentially pick up an additional pick for next year’s draft class. The Chiefs are in prime position at the end of day 2 to unload this pick and allow a team to jump back up and grab a final player from their top 100.

Primary Targets

Blake Cashman, LB, Minnesota

Cashman flashed at the combine with a solid workout, which got many people to go back and watch tape on the Golden Gopher. Cashman has plenty of concerns: undersized, average athlete, and injury history. Buried beneath all of that is an instinctive, hard-working, and technically sound player who offers leadership ability and special teams value. Cashman met with the Chiefs at the NFL combine.

Khalen Saunders, DT, Western Illinois

Saunders made headlines when he remained at the Senior Bowl despite his fiancee giving birth to their daughter. Saunders kept that attention and showed out at the senior bowl, and had a better than expected showing at the combine. Saunders looks to be the best fit as a 1 tech nose tackle in a 4-3 defense and would provide a solid rotational player to give Derrick Nnadi some relief. Saunders has plus athleticism and that could be developed into improvement as a pass rusher. The Chiefs met with Saunders at the NFL Combine.

Dexter Williams, RB, Notre Dame

Running backs are valued at an all-time low, and the 2019 NFL Draft is not particularly strong at the position. Dexter Williams is an interesting name at running back and provided Notre Dame with a home run threat for their offense. Williams did not have a great combine showing, but his film shows a player who excels in a zone run scheme.

Williams could find his way as a special teams player, and eventually, find some carries in the offense. As an added bonus, Dexter Williams would be the third “D. Williams” running back in Kansas City. The Chiefs hosted Williams for a private workout. Williams was one of three offensive players that the Chiefs have reportedly used a private workout, so the interest could be pretty strong here.

Honorable Mention

• Terrill Hanks, LB, New Mexico State
• Justice Hill, RB, Oklahoma State
• Dawson Knox, TE, Ole Miss