Checking out the K.C. Chiefs report card from 2021 NFL Draft

Round 5, Pick 181: WR Cornell Powell, Clemson

Kansas City went with another offensive weapon with their second fifth-round pick when selecting Cornell Powell out of Clemson. It took awhile for Powell to find opportunity at Clemson because of all the wide receiver talent that the school continues to showcase year-in and year-out. However, this past season, Powell was given consistent playing time, and he produced once given the chance with 53 passes for 882 yards and 7 touchdowns.

In his one year of true time on the field, Powell showed that he had some game-breaking ability. Kansas City has two excellent options in Travis Kelce and Tyreek Hill, but the team is missing a possession-type receiver who can get the yards underneath. Mecole Hardman and Demarcus Robinson have shown inconsistencies and the Chiefs need more reliability from the position.

If teams take away Kelce and Hill with safety help, there should be plenty of open space underneath the coverage. Powell is a big-bodied receiver who can develop more of his route-running and be a player the team can depend on in crucial third-down situations.

Grade: B

Round 6, Pick 226: OL Trey Smith, Tennessee

Picking Trey Smith in the sixth round was a bargain for the Chiefs, as the former Tennessee Volunteer was viewed as a third-round talent. However, a medical history of blood clots in his lungs scared teams off the guard, which meant another player had fallen into Kansas City’s hands.

Smith will offer more competition in the offensive line room, while having a real chance of playing time sometime this season. The Tennessee product has high athletic ability, while flashing power at the point of attack. His fluidity allows him to shift over to unblocked defenders where he will look to enforce his will. If he is able to win a starting job, which may be difficult for him this season, look for the 321-pound lineman to play at the right guard position.

The left side of the line is as formidable as it gets, but the question remains on how the right side of the line will transpire. Smith can have a say in that if he develops and works on his technique throughout the offseason.

Grade: B+