Arrowhead Addict
FanSided

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) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 7
Next
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – DECEMBER 22: Darius Leonard #53 of the Indianapolis Colts celebrates after a play in the game against the Carolina Panthers at Lucas Oil Stadium on December 22, 2019 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – DECEMBER 22: Darius Leonard #53 of the Indianapolis Colts celebrates after a play in the game against the Carolina Panthers at Lucas Oil Stadium on December 22, 2019 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images) /

Linebackers

First up, here’s the linebackers taken in picks 25-48 of the past six drafts:

Kyle Van Noy, Shaq Thompson, Stephone Anthony, Benardrick McKinney, Hau’oli Kikaha, Eric Kendricks, Denzel Perryman, Jaylon Smith, Myles Jack, Reggie Ragland, T.J. Watt, Reuben Foster, Tyus Bowser, Darius Leonard, and Jahlani Tavai.

Now let’s compare that to the linebackers taken in the third round in those same drafts:

Christian Kirksey, Preston Brown, Chris Borland, Eli Harold, Lorenzo Mauldin, Jordan Hicks, Paul Dawson, Jordan Jenkins, Nick Vigil, Kyler Fackrell, Duke Riley, Alex Anzalone, Kendell Beckwith, Fred Warner, Jerome Baker, Malik Jefferson, Oren Burks, Dorian O’Daniel, Germaine Pratt, Sione Takitaki, Cody Barton, and Bobby Okereke.

While the third round group of linebackers is a little bit stronger than the cornerback group, there is still a noticeable drop off in talent between the two groups. Here is how the percentages worked out.

Picks 25-48:

  • 93% still in the NFL
  • 80% started at least one game in 2019
  • 33% have made a Pro Bowl (Kendricks, McKinney, Smith, Watt, and Leonard)

Third Round:

  • 82% still in the NFL
  • 50% started at least one game in 2019
  • 0% have made a Pro Bowl

The percentages for picks 25-48 are pretty similar to the cornerback group (with a slightly higher percentage of Pro Bowlers). The third round picks still didn’t have any Pro Bowlers (although Fred Warner had to be close last season), and their percentage of starters last season were about the same as the corners. However, the percentage still in the NFL was better (82% compared to just 65% of corners).

In recent years there have been less flat out busts at linebacker in the third round than there have been at corner.

While both cornerbacks and linebackers look like worthy first round picks based on the drop off between these groups, cornerback might get the slight edge as a better way to go based on a more drastic amount of busts in the third round at that position.

Now let’s move to the offensive side of the ball and look at the much debated running back position.

Home/Kansas City Chiefs Draft