Kayvon Thibodeaux, EDGE, Oregon
Projected range:
#2 overall – #15 overall
Overview:
After having an excellent start to the NFL draft process, Kayvon Thibodeaux has seen his draft stock fall all over the board. While it seems relatively certain at this point that he won’t be the pick at first overall, virtually nothing else is off of the table.
Thibodeaux is not a perfect fit for Steve Spagnuolo. While he is 6’5, he is not as heavy as Spagnuolo typically prefers. At 253, he is quick and elusive, rather than the strictly power-driven guys that the Chiefs have preferred in the past. That being said, Thibodeaux is an explosive athlete that could end up being the best defensive player in the draft when it is all said and done.
While the compensation would likely be a lot, the Chiefs would likely struggle at this point to find a better player to fill the role that they need to fill. This move would be a huge one, but one that would fundamentally change the defensive culture in Kansas City.
Compensation:
Depending on whether Thibodeaux drops out of the top 8 (Which is the sweet spot for Kansas City) I would expect the Chiefs to have to trade both first-round picks and a mid-round pick to move up that far. Say, two first-round picks and a fourth.