The Kansas City Chiefs had a few needs to fill on Friday night as the 2021 NFL Draft got underway on day two, but the team chose to play the long game with their two scheduled selections in the second round.
The Chiefs made their first moves of the draft by selecting linebacker Nick Bolton out of Missouri and center Creed Humphrey from Oklahoma. While everyone believes that Bolton is a talented player, it’s clear from reactions posted to Twitter that overall reviews were decidedly mixed when considering fit, value, and other players available. As for the latter, the praise for the Humphrey pick was universal.
Here’s a quick rundown to some local and national tweets about the Chiefs’ direction, beginning with the refreshing optimism of the guys from Locked On Chiefs.
That's definitely a pick that makes sense...Bolton and Gay will be a fun duo for years...
— LockedOnChiefs (@LockedOnChiefs) May 1, 2021
It turns out that Willie Gay has instincts.
https://twitter.com/WillieG___/status/1388293855888478213?s=20
Kent Lee Platte with some hard facts.
For all those who think testing doesn't matter, the first player to be drafted this year with below average testing was 58th overall. 0 players before then with poor testing.
— Kent Lee Platte (@MathBomb) May 1, 2021
Nick Bolton was drafted with pick 58 of round 2 in the 2021 draft class. He scored a 4.62 RAS out of a possible 10.00. This ranked 1161 out of 2155 LB from 1987 to 2021. https://t.co/eBxiv4gUsq #RAS #Chiefs pic.twitter.com/pJtZskZjBr
— Kent Lee Platte (@MathBomb) May 1, 2021
However, Brandon Kiley, who covers MIzzou for SB Nation, knows that not everything shows up on testing scores.
Do you like guys who hit *really* hard? Nick Bolton does that. #Chiefs https://t.co/9g4z5T9Xci
— Brandon Kiley (@BKSportsTalk) May 1, 2021
That’s a nice Mizzou connection there.
Nick Bolton was the 58th pick in the draft.
— Dave Matter (@Dave_Matter) May 1, 2021
Markus Golden went to Arizona at No. 58 in 2015.
Not to mention last year’s third round pick will make his debut in 2021 as well.
The Chiefs have now traded for Orlando Brown, Jr. to play LT, signed Gs Joe Thuney and Kyle Long, drafted C Creed Humphrey and signed C Austin Blythe, re-signed RT Mike Remmers and will get G Laurent Duvernay-Tardif back from an opt-out.
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) May 1, 2021
That's an OL overhaul.
One of our favorites, former Chief Geoff Schwartz, weighs in on Humphrey.
Hey @chiefs fans! Here’s your new center from Oklahoma @creed_humphrey. He’s an outstanding fit for that offense!
— Geoff Schwartz (@geoffschwartz) May 1, 2021
Watch us discuss ball on Big Boys Club Draft Academy!!!
pic.twitter.com/SilUd02r5u
Go back and read that third sentence again.
Creed Humphrey was drafted with pick 63 of round 2 in the 2021 draft class. He scored a 10 RAS out of a possible 10.00. This ranked 1 out of 496 OC from 1987 to 2021. https://t.co/6Lf4JeRywo #RAS #Chiefs pic.twitter.com/i7KMgOBKLA
— Kent Lee Platte (@MathBomb) May 1, 2021
That’s the plan.
Rich get richer pick by Chiefs. Creed Humphrey will be snapping to Patrick Mahomes in 2030.
— Jim Nagy (@JimNagy_SB) May 1, 2021
Great short analysis from a well-respected scout.
The #Chiefs select...
— Matt Miller (@nfldraftscout) May 1, 2021
Center
Creed Humphrey
IDEAL scheme fit. Smaller center who can pull, trap and get upfield. Also super experienced and smart. Hard worker. Leader.
We’re sensing a pattern here, and we’re not sure what to think about it.
Andy Reid: "Orlando (Brown Jr.) told us to go get Creed (Humphrey)."
— Nate Taylor (@ByNateTaylor) May 1, 2021
Speaking of teams with similar needs taking a different approach to the 2021 draft.
This Steelers OL is big yikes and they just picked a TE over Creed Humphrey. Good luck, Ben.
— Joe Marino (@TheJoeMarino) May 1, 2021
Checking in around the league…
Chiefs got a potential great one at center in Creed Humphrey. Can't believe he lasted this long. Congrats, Patrick.
— Skip Bayless (@RealSkipBayless) May 1, 2021
That might be the nicest thing Skip has ever said about the Chiefs’ quarterback.
But most importantly…
https://twitter.com/PatrickMahomes/status/1388304291136425987?s=20