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2020 NFL Draft: Which positions hold best value for Kansas City Chiefs?

By Lyle Graversen

NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - APRIL 25: A general view of video board signage during the first round of the 2019 NFL Draft on April 25, 2019 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - APRIL 25: A general view of video board signage during the first round of the 2019 NFL Draft on April 25, 2019 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /
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CHICAGO, IL – APRIL 30: Byron Jones of the Connecticut Huskies holds up a jersey after being picked #27 overall by the Dallas Cowboys during the first round of the 2015 NFL Draft at the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University on April 30, 2015 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL – APRIL 30: Byron Jones of the Connecticut Huskies holds up a jersey after being picked #27 overall by the Dallas Cowboys during the first round of the 2015 NFL Draft at the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University on April 30, 2015 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /

Cornerbacks

First, here are all cornerbacks drafted between picks 25-48 in the previous six drafts.

Jason Verett, Bradley Roby, Lamarcus Joyner, Byron Jones, Jalen Collins, Artie Burns, Xavien Howard, Tre’Davious White, Kevin King, Sidney Jones, Quincy Wilson, Mike Hughes, Josh Jackson, Deandre Baker, Byron Murphy, Rock Ya-Sin, Sean Murphy-Bunting, Trayvon Mullen, JoeJuan Williams, and Greedy Williams.

Now let’s compare that with the corners drafted in the third round of those same six drafts:

Dexter McDougal, Phillip Gaines, D’Juan Smith, PJ Williams, Alex Carter, Craig Mager, Steven Nelson, Will Redmond, KeiVarae Russell, Daryl Worley, Kendall Fuller, Brandon Williams, Ahkello Witherspoon, Fabian Moreau, Jourdan Lewis, Cameron Sutton, Cordrea Tankersley, Rasul Douglas, Brendan Langley, Isaac Yiadom, David Long, Justin Layne, and Jamel Dean.

First off, its pretty evident that the first group is definitely an all around stronger group. Most of the players are at least solid starters in the NFL, with a few great corners like Byron Jones and Tre’Davious White. The third round group is a mix of flat out busts and average (at best) starters.

In fact, you can make an argument that the two best corners taken in the third round over the past six drafts both spent time in Kansas City. Steven Nelson and Kendall Fuller are both definitely solid NFL players, but as the best corners in the third round group they aren’t even close to guys like Jones and White.

Here are how the actual percentages look.

Picks 25-48:

  • 95% still in the NFL
  • 75% started at least one game in 2019
  • 20% have made a Pro Bowl (Verrett, Jones, Howard, and White)

Third Round:

  • 65% still in the NFL
  • 52% started at least one game in 2019
  • 0% have made a Pro Bowl

So it appears to be true (at least in recent years) that the drop off in talent at cornerback from where the Chiefs will make their first selection to the third round is pretty significant, but how does it compare to other positions?

Let’s stick with the defense and look at linebacker next.

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