2022 NFL Draft: KC Chiefs fans can expect a home run class

The Kansas City Chiefs currently have 12 draft picks going into the 2022 NFL Draft with the event less than three weeks away. A big part of that was due to the Tyreek Hill trade. Yes, he was a fan favorite. However, the Chiefs can erase the pain of losing Hill in this upcoming draft. In fact, don’t be surprised if the Chiefs have a home run draft class this year.

The Chiefs have two first-round picks, two second-round picks, and two third-round picks. Their first pick is at No. 29. Obviously, it’s a late first-round pick. It doesn’t sound as enticing. But Chiefs fans should know by now that this team does not need high draft picks in order to find the most talented players.

As you may recall in the 2016 NFL Draft, the Chiefs traded out of the first round. Despite not having a first-round pick, the Chiefs scored big when they drafted defensive tackle Chris Jones in the second round and Hill in the fifth round. (Yes, Hill dealt with an accusation in college that caused him to fall in the draft.) In 2021, the Chiefs traded their first-round pick for offensive tackle Orlando Brown. The team drafted linebacker Nick Bolton and center Creed Humphrey both in the second round and guard Trey Smith in the sixth round as all three shined as rookies last season.

The KC Chiefs have 12 draft picks, which will play a significant role in the Chiefs having a successful draft.

After his fourth draft as the general manager of the Chiefs, Brett Veach succeeded with his picks in 2021. Now, he has a chance to repeat that as the team has more draft picks this year than they did last year.

Under Andy Reid and the scouts that have been with the team since 2013, the Chiefs have been fortunate to find other top-notch players in the draft outside of the first round, such as Travis Kelce in the third round in 2013, center Mitch Morse in the second round in 2015 and running back Kareem Hunt in the third round in 2017.

The draft is still more than two weeks away and a lot of trades will take place during the draft. It is uncertain if the Chiefs will still walk away with 12 draft picks by the conclusion of the draft. But assuming the Chiefs keep all or a majority of their six picks in the first three rounds, it’s reasonable to expect the team to have a draft similar to 2021 and 2016. The only difference this time is that the Chiefs have two first-round draft picks.

The Chiefs can go in many directions with their two first-round picks, which are back-to-back. They should find instant key contributors in most of their first six picks that will help them reach a fifth straight AFC Championship and a third Super Bowl appearance with this core unit.