2022 mock draft survey: KC Chiefs linked to Andrew Booth Jr. and more
By Matt Conner
Andrew Booth, CB, Clemson
In the latest 2022 NFL Mock Draft over at the Pro Football Network, Ian Cummings has the Chiefs thinking about getting a lockdown cornerback to add to the mix of young players at the position. Andrew Booth Jr. is an exciting prospect out of Clemson and he has the Chiefs grabbing him at No. 32 overall. He writes:
"It’s unlikely he will last this long with his physical tools if he reaches his full potential. Booth is long, explosive, twitchy, and fiery as a competitor. He needs more consistency, but 2021 can be a proving ground for him."
If that means introducing plays like this into the Chiefs secondary, we’re here for it.
https://twitter.com/ClemsonFB/status/1312574163786244097?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1312574163786244097%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fclemsontigers.com%2Fsports%2Ffootball%2Froster%2Fandrew-booth-jr%2F
If Booth is going to be available to the Chiefs, he will need to declare himself eligible for the draft given that he’s a redshirt junior this season. However, if his NFL stock is high enough, that seems like a fairly safe bet. He’s already earning first-round mentions from draft analysts like this, and his college reel already has some significant wow moments.
As for his fit, it’s important to note that the Chiefs are presently set to lose Charvarius Ward and Mike Hughes next spring as free agents. The latter is expected given that the Chiefs just traded for him as a flyer of sorts, but Ward has been a part of this secondary for years.
The Chiefs now have L’Jarius Sneed to go with Rashad Fenton and Deandre Baker going forward, but having potentially lockdown talent on a cost-controlled deal would go a long way in this secondary that could get much more expensive overall as Tyrann Mathieu signs a new extension and Sneed nears one himself.
Booth had 27 total tackles, 4 pass deflections, and 2 interceptions for the Tigers in 2020.