Mel Kiper, Jr.’s latest mock draft gives the Kansas City Chiefs the first running back taken overall at the bottom of the first round in D’Andre Swift.
The fourth and latest mock is out from ESPN analyst Mel Kiper, Jr. in advance of the 2020 NFL Draft, and the first running back overall is finally projected to be taken at the very bottom of the first round. Kiper has the Kansas City Chiefs selecting Georgia running back D’Andre Swift at No. 32 overall.
The Chiefs have been linked to a running back early in other drafts before, so in some ways it’s no surprise, but those mocks typically came early in the draft process. Other perceived roster needs for the Chiefs all along the offensive line or at cornerback and linebacker on defense have typically paved the way for the Chiefs earliest projected picks.
Kiper returns to an older storyline that the Chiefs could add the draft’s most talented running back to bolster an offense that’s already among the best in the NFL. He writes:
"Atlanta would have been a possibility, but then it brought in Todd Gurley. That’s why Swift to Kansas City makes sense here. Andy Reid would get the most of him in the passing game, and Swift could break off chunks of yardage on the ground. Cornerback and guard are also options for the Super Bowl champs."
Certainly J.K. Dobbins or Jonathan Taylor could also be a consideration for the first back taken, but Swift would be a very exciting player to watch in red and gold. Regardless of what a person thinks of the actual draft value here, Swift would immediately leap to the top of the depth chart in the offensive backfield as a dynamic option with vision, athleticism, burst, and great hands. Opposing defenses would likely have to add yet another Pro Bowl option to cover alongside Travis Kelce, Tyreek Hill and company.
The downside here is that the Chiefs wouldn’t be able to take a Cesar Ruiz as help along the interior or a Kristian Fulton or Jeff Gladney at cornerback. Instead those needs would fall to Day 2. It’s unlikely given the value, but the excitement would be there either way.