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2021 NFL Draft: Second round targets for the KC Chiefs

By Lyle Graversen

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - SEPTEMBER 19: Payton Turner #98 of the Houston Cougars celebrates a tackle during the first half of a game against the Tulane Green Wave at Yulman Stadium on September 19, 2019 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - SEPTEMBER 19: Payton Turner #98 of the Houston Cougars celebrates a tackle during the first half of a game against the Tulane Green Wave at Yulman Stadium on September 19, 2019 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images) /
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COLUMBIA, MO – SEPTEMBER 07: Linebacker Nick Bolton #32 of the Missouri Tigers reacts to a tackle against the West Virginia Mountaineers at Memorial Stadium on September 7, 2019 in Columbia, Missouri. (Photo by Ed Zurga/Getty Images)
COLUMBIA, MO – SEPTEMBER 07: Linebacker Nick Bolton #32 of the Missouri Tigers reacts to a tackle against the West Virginia Mountaineers at Memorial Stadium on September 7, 2019 in Columbia, Missouri. (Photo by Ed Zurga/Getty Images) /

Linebackers

The Chiefs still don’t have a clear starter at Damien Wilson‘s old SAM linebacker position, so adding a linebacker in the second round for a second straight year is definitely an option. However, the Chiefs have seemed willing to go with low investment free agents in that spot before so I don’t think they will see it as a “must fill” position, but if the value is there they may be tempted. There are a lot of people that might want to see Jabril Cox of LSU on this list, but I just don’t love his fit in KC. I don’t think he has the size or run stopping ability to play either the SAM or MIKE linebacker spots, so he’d either be fighting Willie Gay for snaps or would only be used strictly as a sub package player. I just don’t know if that’s worthy of a second round pick.

Nick Bolton – Missouri

I think Nick Bolton would be a perfect fit for the Chiefs. Bolton is already a physical force in the run game, so he could easily play in the base defense at the SAM position this season. He isn’t as strong in coverage as some of the other top linebacker prospects, but if he improves a little in that area he could eventually become the heir to Anthony Hitchens at the MIKE linebacker spot. While I’m guessing Bolton will be gone before the Chiefs pick, linebacker isn’t the high priority position that it used to be and if a linebacker was going to fall farther than expected, it would make sense that it was one with some coverage ability questions. There may be a little hope for Chiefs fans to make this happen.

Jamin Davis – Kentucky

I actually think Jamin Davis has a lot of similarities with K.C.’s Willie Gay, but that wouldn’t stop me from taking him if he were to fall to the Chiefs in the second round. While I don’t think he’s a good fit to play SAM linebacker in Damien Wilson’s old spot, I think with a little more bulk he could succeed Anthony Hitchens at the MIKE linebacker spot next season and the thought of Davis and Gay in the sub package giving K.C. two explosive athletes that can get sideline to sideline in a hurry is tempting.

Baron Browning – Ohio State

I really like Baron Browning’s fit with the Chiefs. He’s a natural SAM linebacker with his size/length and even has some pass rush upside. I like his ability to take on blockers and he’s a sound tackler. While he isn’t an elite man to man cover linebacker, he has good athleticism and his height and long arms give him some reach when dropping back in zone. I don’t know that Browning will ever be a star in the NFL, but he’s does so many things well that Spagnuolo could move him around and get the most out of him. He might not be the flashiest second round pick on this list, but I think he could be really successful in K.C.

Finally, let’s look at some cornerbacks that could fall to K.C. in the second round.

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