With the second of two compensatory picks in this mock draft, we decided to stick in the secondary and add another defensive back who should excel on special teams early in his career.
Darrick Forrest has been a three-year starter at Cincinnati, which would make him one of the more proven players in this Chiefs draft class given the number of projects who either opted out or have dealt with injuries over the last few years. Forrest is an ideal pick here for a well-rounded skill set that lacks the ceiling of sexier picks. However it also means he’s less likely to flame out in the process.
What is clear is that Forrest would likely be a favorite for this coaching staff as an incoming safety who could be a core four player for Toub and then eventually fall into a safety role as potential exits are made after the 2021 season. Daniel Sorensen was just re-signed to a one-year deal and Tyrann Mathieu is scheduled to hit free agency next year, too, if for some reason his long-rumored extension doesn’t come through. Juan Thornhill is locked into a starting role, but Armani Watts is also entering the last year of his rookie deal.
In short, there’s a need for a younger safety on the depth chart and Forrest’s floor (pardon the pun) makes him seem as near a lock to make the active roster as one can be at the very bottom of the fifth round.