Chiefs Mock Draft: 5 first-round targets for Kansas City

Ahmad Gardner, CB, Cincinnati

Going from the #1 team in college football to the #2 team in the country, Cincinnati’s Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner could finally provide the Chiefs with a No. 1 corner since Marcus Peters was going after every ball thrown his way. The struggles in the pass game have been clear for the Chiefs as L’Jarius Sneed has not played as well in his second year as his rookie season. Gardner has been seen as one of the best players on the Cincinnati Bears’ high-performing defense. Playing in his junior year, Gardner has been receiving playing time ever since his freshman year, which has brought him 8 interceptions in his three seasons.

Gardner currently sits at 6’2 ,188 pounds, and has been seen as having ideal length and athleticism for a NFL corner. The Draft Network’s Joe Marino believes Gardner’s length has been shown in his ability to jam receivers at the line in press coverage. Marino also describes Gardner as an “Exceptional run defender and outstanding tackler”.

Gardner so far seems the perfect package with his athletic profile and his production. His landing spot in the draft is not yet certain, in a cornerback draft topped off with three highly-touted corners in LSU’s Derek Stingley Jr., Florida’s Kaiir Elam, and Clemson’s Andrew Booth Jr. None of them look to be available whenever Kansas City is on the clock but if Gardner falls away from those three, he could find himself with a chance to make an impact on the struggling Chiefs defense.