2020 NFL mock draft: Chiefs linked with Javon Kinlaw, Shaun Wade
By Matt Conner
Given the responses in a number of recent 2020 mocks, it’s clear the Kansas City Chiefs could go in any number of directions in the upcoming NFL Draft.
As a football fan, the Kansas City Chiefs are in a good place compared to other franchises. There are very real reasons to continue to believe in the present season—a team with obvious Super Bowl hopes—but it can also be fun to look ahead and daydream about what future iterations of the roster might resemble.
Mock drafts are out each and every week and some teams are already desperately clinging to them, hoping in the long-term direction of the team as the current roster flames out. For the Chiefs that’s not the case, but it’s fun to still fun to look at what’s ahead while simultaneously being able to treat it as silly (given that the real draft is several months away).
We took a look at a recent round of mock drafts to see who might be available and how it would affect the Chiefs.
Kinlaw is a 6’6, 310 lb. defensive line prospect from South Carolina. In 11 games this year, he has 31 total tackles, 6 sacks, 2 batted passes, and 2 fumble recoveries.
They say: “Kinlaw is stout against the run and is also one of the best pass-rushing defensive linemen in the country. The Chiefs’ pass defense ranks fourth, according to Football Outsiders, but the run D is an abysmal 31st. Kinlaw helps with that immediately.”
We say: Kinlaw would be a bit of a dream scenario for the Chiefs because of what he would instantly add to the defensive front as such a high-ceiling player. While it’s not the most pressing position (see below picks), Kinlaw seems like a late riser who won’t fall as far as the Chiefs might like.
If the Chiefs were able to add Kinlaw, it would create an ideal combination of talent along the defensive line. Kinlaw would give the Chiefs a proven run-stopper who is also disruptive and would give the Chiefs an ascending, versatile young talent at a very palatable price for the long term.
Consider the fact that Frank Clark is already locked down to big money and Chris Jones is ready to be the same. The Chiefs already invested up front in Derrick Nnadi and Khalen Saunders inside, but Kinlaw would give them the ultimate rotation. In addition, it takes most defensive linemen a year (or more) before they’re able to impact.
This isn’t the greatest need but it would give them perhaps the strongest defensive front in the NFL. That’s not a bad use of a first round pick at such a key position of need.