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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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Kansas City Chiefs
INDIANAPOLIS, IN – FEBRUARY 25: General manager Brett Veach of the Kansas City Chiefs speaks to the media at the Indiana Convention Center on February 25, 2020 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) *** Local Capture *** Brett Veach /

The Final Verdict

History isn’t everything. I’m not here to tell you that Brett Veach should ignore the scouting grade he has on players and draft 100% off of the positional value determined by players at the same position over recent drafts. However, I do think you can use this information to make more informed decisions in the draft.

Given the results of this exercise, here is how I would now rank the order of value for these positions when considering their first round pick.

1. Cornerback – this group had an equally high hit rate with the 25-48 range picks and the biggest drop off in talent in the third round picks. When Steven Nelson is the best case scenario if you wait, you may not want to wait.

2. Linebacker – While the linebacker position may have lost a little value in today’s NFL, this group had an equally high hit rate in the first group and no Pro Bowlers in the second group. It’s second place because it had a few more hits in the third round than the corners.

3. Interior Offensive Line – This was a close race with running back for the third spot, but ultimately the fact that running backs had a much higher percentage of Pro Bowlers in the third round made it less valuable to take early. The lineman finish behind corner and linebacker because it had the highest percentage of starters that were found in the third round of all these positions.

4. Running Back – I really thought the running backs would finish in fifth, but ultimately the running backs having a higher percentage of early picks that were worth it and a lower percentage that started games in the third round made it a better value in this study than the wide receivers.

5. Wide Receiver – This really shocked me. I came in thinking this group might finish second behind the cornerbacks. Instead, it had the worst group of the early picks and a solid group of third round options. You add in the fact that the Chiefs are already set at wideout for this season and the depth of this wideout class likely pushing talent into the mid rounds and suddenly a first round wide receiver seems like a bad idea.

So there you have it Chiefs fans. That’s what the results of the recent drafts show in terms of value. Does this change your thinking at all? Does it just reinforce what you already believed? Do you feel like these results don’t actually reflect the value that is in this draft class? Do you actually think the Chiefs may consider other positions that I didn’t list like offensive tackle, edge, or defensive line?

I’d love to read your thoughts in the comments below. Catch up with my other draft related posts.

Stay safe and healthy Chiefs fans!

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