The 2020 NFL Draft class is deep with talent and in Brett Veach’s tenure, the Chiefs have never selected in the first round. Now, K.C. could do it again.
The Kansas City Chiefs won their first Super Bowl since 1970 and entered the offseason as a team that is looking to hold on to all of their pieces and make it two in a row. Sammy Watkins took a pay cut when it seemed likely that he would be released and, according to Adam Schefter, the Chiefs are expecting to retain Chris Jones, who was franchise tagged earlier this offseason.
This means that the Chiefs are looking to retain the bulk of their starters and add a few pieces in the draft and second wave of free agency. It also means Brett Veach may continue his trend of not selecting in the first round.
With their typical picks at the end of the first three rounds, the Chiefs have three picks in the Top 100. Last season, the Chiefs selected Mecole Hardman in the second round and created yet another weapon on their offense. With the next pick, the Chiefs claimed Juan Thornhill who instantly became one of the best overall coverage defensive backs on the team, recording three interceptions including a pick-six. Veach maximized the talent that he could get out of the second round and may do it again.
Sitting at pick 32, the final selection in the 2020 NFL Draft’s first round, there are a number of reasons may want to trade up with the Chiefs. It may be that a team really loves a player and doesn’t want to risk another team taking him on Day 2. The most important reason, however, is the fifth-year option—a way for a team to automatically control a player for an additional season after the initial four-year rookie deal expires.
The fifth-year option is available for any position, but it makes the most sense with the rising cost of quarterbacks. In 2020, there are a number of quarterbacks that may be available when the Chiefs are set to pick at 32.
When it comes to possible suitors, it obviously comes down to the way that the board falls and how teams draft early, but it is possible that a number of teams would be interested in the Chiefs pick at 32 for that fifth-year option for a franchise QB. At pick 34, the Indianapolis Colts are a team that may want a developmental quarterback who can learn from Philip Rivers for the next year. In this case, they may like Jordan Love from Utah State if he is available. Another interesting scenario would be if the Chargers wanted to move up. Jacob Eason is another name to watch. Depending on the way that the board falls, there are hundreds of possible scenarios.
Needless to say, the Chiefs will have some interesting decisions to make. Perhaps Brett Veach will like a player enough to actually move up in the draft. While conventional wisdom says that the Super Bowl winners should look to move back and bring in more overall potential, there is a possibility that Veach stands pat at 32 and makes a selection.
That being said, Veach is on a streak, and I would expect him to trade back if at all possible in such a talented draft class. With only five overall picks, the Chiefs could use more assets. What say you, Chiefs fans?