KC Chiefs have many first-round options in mock draft survey

Jayson Oweh, DE, Penn State

How does the idea of a pass rusher with elite speed, burst, length, and agility sound starting opposite Frank Clark? That’s the long-term vision in mind for Bleacher Report’s Brad Gagnon when he listed Jayson Oweh as the Chiefs’ selection in the first round of his latest mock draft. He writes:

"The lengthy and explosive 6’5″, 252-pounder is a little raw after limited starting time in college, but the Chiefs can afford that based on their personnel up front. His high ceiling makes him an ideal player to groom as a situational rusher until he’s tapped for a larger role in a year or two."

The Chiefs know a thing or two about pass rushers from Penn State given how much fun it was to watch Tamba Hali go to work against opposing linemen for so many years at Arrowhead. Oweh claims to have sensational numbers, including a 4.33 second time in the 40-yard dash, which means all eyes will be on him in the pre-draft season. If he can live up to the numbers he claims he can reach, he might be out of reach for the Chiefs at No. 31.

The Chiefs certainly have a major need at defensive end heading into 2021. Tanoh Kpassagnon, Alex Okafor, and Taco Charlton are all free agents who can sign with any team beginning next month. That leaves Mike Danna opposite Frank Clark, who himself has not lived up to regular season expectations. Basically the Chiefs could use impact talent up front on a rookie deal that gives them some long-term financial flexibility between now and 2025.

The downside here is that Oweh isn’t a proven product and the Chiefs can ill afford to swing and miss here. Oweh is a redshirt sophomore who is quite lean at 250 lbs., and he’s often projected best as a 3-4 linebacker. He would need a year or even two to reach his true potential which means the Chiefs would still be seeking quite a bit of help for the next season.