Arrowhead Addict
FanSided

KC Chiefs 7-round Mock Draft: Pass rush becomes early priority

By Matt Conner

ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN - NOVEMBER 28: Sean Clifford #14 of the Penn State Nittany Lions avoids the tackle of Kwity Paye #19 of the Michigan Wolverines during the second half at Michigan Stadium on November 28, 2020 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN - NOVEMBER 28: Sean Clifford #14 of the Penn State Nittany Lions avoids the tackle of Kwity Paye #19 of the Michigan Wolverines during the second half at Michigan Stadium on November 28, 2020 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
5 of 8
Next
Jan 28, 2021; American offensive lineman David Moore of Grambling State (60) drills against American offensive lineman Drake Jackson of Kentucky (76) during American practice at Hancock Whitney Stadium in Mobile, Alabama, USA; Mandatory Credit: Vasha Hunt-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 28, 2021; American offensive lineman David Moore of Grambling State (60) drills against American offensive lineman Drake Jackson of Kentucky (76) during American practice at Hancock Whitney Stadium in Mobile, Alabama, USA; Mandatory Credit: Vasha Hunt-USA TODAY Sports /

Grambling. player. David Moore. 4th. 124. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. OL

The Chiefs enjoyed a second pick in the fourth round of the 2021 NFL Draft thanks to the compensatory selection gifted them by the league when they lost Kendall Fuller in free agency back to Washington. It’s here that they take their first truly developmental prospect in David Moore, an offensive lineman from Grambling.

In this scenario, it’s important to note that while Moore plays along the interior, the Chiefs (or any other team) should in no way count on him to come in and provide NFL-ready snaps. Moore is a project, to be sure, and this is entirely a future play with the belief that waiting any longer on day three would cost them the strong potential of a player like Moore.

This means that for our purposes in ’21, the Chiefs should hope that Austin Reiter accepts their offer and returns at center. If so, the interior should be much better than last year with Joe Thuney, Reiter, and Kyle Long or Laurent Duvernay-Tardif across the front. In addition, either Long or LDT will be in a reserve role along with Nick Allegretti and Andrew Wylie. That’s a stacked interior.

From there, however, the Chiefs could look very thin in another year. Assuming Reiter returns on a single-season deal, the Chiefs are also scheduled to lose Long and LDT next offseason, too. Wylie will also be ready to hit unrestricted free agency for the first time. That means developing a potential starting guard or center now is the right play, especially in the late fourth round with a compensatory pick.

As for Moore’s projections, his tenure in the FCS along with his decision to opt out is going to keep him from looking the part for some time at the pro level. However, the Chiefs have proven capable of coaching up long-term projects in the past and Moore’s size, athleticism, and strength make him a desirable project for most teams. The Chiefs could ask him to learn center or keep him at guard and let him grow there. Either way, the long-term need is there and they’ll likely be glad they made this investment when they did.

Home/Mock Draft