Rookie Review: Kansas City Chiefs draft class proved highly productive

Final Thoughts

The 2019 draft class was nearly a slam dunk for Brett Veach. We still have time to see what players become in the near future, but it was a much better showing than his first try at it in 2018. Nearly every player that he selected with his six picks, only three of which were in the top 200, either found starting roles early on or played significant snaps as a rotational piece filling in for injuries. They demonstrated the ability to learn quickly and develop to help the team get through an injury-riddled year. This class is a big reason the Chiefs were able to win the Super Bowl.

Hardman and Thornhill were named in the 2019 PFWA All-Rookie team this year, and Hardman earned a vote as a Pro Bowler. Thornhill also made the Pro Football Focus All-Rookie Team. Even with only three picks inside the first five rounds, none in the first round, PFF named the Chiefs rookie class as the third most productive group in the NFL.

Nearly every player in this class gave us reason to feel strongly about their future. There is a lot of potential in this group, and Brett Veach deserves significant credit for the class. One of the ways to continue having success is building a team through the draft with young players. If Veach continues to find guys that can contribute early and find roles early, the sky is the limit for the Kansas City Chiefs.

The 2020 offseason will be another year of tough decisions to make for the front office. It will also be the first season that Veach makes a first-round selection if he holds onto it. Contracts are coming up, which will bring some hard decisions, but there’s a lot of talented prospects in the upcoming draft that could help this team early.