The Kansas City Chiefs have never really been considered a top-tier team as far as utilizing their draft picks, and it’s a glaring problem now. I know you’re all thinking: Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce, Tyreek Hill were all drafted as Chiefs. Yes, but how about the other 50 players? This team is struggling and there’s no denying that anymore.
Since Brett Veach took over as general manager, he’s made multiple picks that have turned out to, at least, hold the value of the pick. The question that needs to be tagged with that is: Is a seventh-round pick who plays as a seventh-round talent cutting it? The Chiefs need to add some firepower and high-impact talent which means they need to start hitting on more of their early picks.
When you look at the last couple of years and the picks they’ve made, there is one that stands out to me though: Clyde Edwards-Helaire. Looking back to the time and situation of that pick, it was right after the Chiefs won Super Bowl LIV against the San Francisco 49ers. Although Patrick Mahomes won MVP, most fans can agree that the player who should’ve won MVP was running back Damien Williams. However, knowing they had pressing needs other than running back, they took Edwards-Helaire in the first round—a player who wasn’t even the top back on some draft boards.
What should the Chiefs have done with that 2020 pick? Let’s take a look.
Antoine Winfield Jr., DB, Minnesota
Antoine Winfield Jr. was one of my favorite defensive back prospects from the 2020 draft class. Looking back, it seems as though he was a hit. As one of the most impactful players for Minnesota’s defense, Winfield should’ve been targeted as a top pick in the draft. However, after falling into the second round, he was able to end up down south in Tampa Bay.
Last season Winfield played in all 16 games which gave him a good start to his career. Winfield had 94 total tackles, one tackle for loss, four QB hits, six passes defended, one interception, and two forced fumbles. However, what the numbers don’t tell is just how much of a factor he was on the field. A similar player to Tyrann Mathieu, Winfield was able to contribute as a rookie right off the bat for a Super Bowl-winning roster.
Jaylon Johnson, CB, Utah
Jaylon Johnson was a very good cornerback prospect who came out of the University of Utah. Johnson, who showed a lot of positive traits while playing college ball, has transferred those talents over to the NFL and has found early success in the NFL. Although his talents can be overlooked due to the Chicago Bears not being very good, he has played well
Johnson was targeted 78 times last season and allowed 44 completions. Within those 44 completions but he allowed 694 yards and five touchdowns. Now I will say that those stats could’ve been better, but as a rookie, those stats are definitely something he can build on. This year he’s even better with an opposing passer rating of 85.2 and a completion percentage allowed of 48.7 percent.
D’Andre Swift, RB, Georgia
If you’re determined to take a running back, this should’ve been the pick. Swift was one of the most dominant running backs available in the 2020 NFL Draft, and he was the top-ranked RB in the draft for many. With phenomenal speed, strength, and acceleration, he had all the tools needed to become a franchise running back at the next level—skills which he has shown this season for the Detroit Lions. Not to mention the fact that he was one of the best receiving backs in the draft as well.
Coming out of college, Swift reminded me a lot of Kareem Hunt. With the power, speed, and hands that Kareem Hunt had, the similarities were there throughout the entire draft process. However, after going a different way, the Lions ended up with the better running back.