2020 mock draft: K.C. Chiefs linked to J.K. Dobbins, Zack Baun
By Matt Conner
Given the arrival of a new week, it’s time to peruse the latest mock drafts to see who the Kansas City Chiefs are linked to near the bottom of the first round.
The newest round of mock drafts are out this week, and the Kansas City Chiefs are linked with some major Big Ten prospects this week.
The Chiefs are finally able to talk about the first round again after trading up in 2017 and going without a first round spot in 2018 due to the Patrick Mahomes deal. In 2019, the team traded their first round pick once again for the rights to sign Frank Clark to a long-term deal, which means the team has not taken a first round prospect in three years.
How will they use this year’s pick? Let’s take a look at what some mock drafts are saying.
J.K. Dobbins, RB, Ohio State
The word:
Dobbins is the latest and greatest running back from Ohio State, the same factory that gave us Zeke Elliott, Carlos Hyde, Eddie George and more. Dobbins finished sixth in Heisman voting in 2019 after a season in which he put up 2,250 yards from scrimmage for the Buckeyes. Not only is he a monster on the ground, but he also caught 71 passes in his three-year career at OSU, showing off his ability to be an all-around threat.
"Kansas City’s backfield situation has been inconsistent since Kareem Hunt left. J.K. Dobbins is an all-around back with terrific vision, decision-making, pace, physicality and burst. He can certainly step in and solve the problem."
We say:
Dobbins is likely going to be the best overall running back in this class, or at least the first one taken. The bottom of the first round is a likely spot for Dobbins to go, so it makes sense here that the Chiefs could be considered to take him, at least given the value proposition for the first RB off the board.
However, the idea of the Chiefs ignoring needs for depth and long-term talent in the trenches on both sides of the ball as well as a glaring hole at cornerback makes taking a running back first feel like a luxury pick. Imagine buying a house with a weathered roof and a couple leaking pipes and then paying tons of money to add another bay onto the garage.
If the Chiefs were to bring in Dobbins, it’s clear the offense would be unstoppable for the foreseeable future (as if that was already a concern). The carousel of backs this year has looked solid at times but nothing like the dominant form that Kareem Hunt provided when he was with the team. A lead back has real potential hit 1,500 yards from scrimmage and do major damage when defenses key in on Travis Kelce too much, and Dobbins would look that part.
For now, however, it seems more likely for the Chiefs to grab a tackle, an interior offensive lineman, or a corner or versatile defensive back with this first choice, if only to make sure to establish a high ceiling investment at a thinner position.