2022 NFL mock draft: KC Chiefs stay and address needs in first round

(FROM SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS THROUGH MIAMI DOLPHINS)

The Chiefs saw a ton of the best receivers come off the board before they picked. In true Brett Veach fashion, I believe that he will have a player in mind as one of his guys. At pick 29, that’s Skyy Moore. While Moore is not from a huge college and is not drawing the same attention as some of the other receivers in this class, it is not unreasonable to believe that he will have a Pro Bowl-caliber career in Kansas City.

If one were to say Moore would have the best career out of any of the receivers in this class, it would not be all that surprising. With an electric first step and ability to create separation quickly, Moore would become one of Patrick Mahomes’s favorite targets immediately. While he is not the biggest receiver or the fastest, he consistently beats coverages. As a guy who can play both inside and out, he provides a versatile piece of the offense.

While the Chiefs could make a defensive selection here such as Travis Jones out of UCONN or even Jalen Pitre out of Baylor, they will likely be looking at “pockets” of players. Brett Veach has often spoke about finding value in those groups and knowing when the time is right to select a player. Skyy Moore is the last player available in the upper-echelon of receivers in this draft class. Veach is not letting him slip by.

Finally, the Chiefs land their guy at the EDGE position. George Karlaftis may not be everyone’s favorite pick, but he is A) a Steve Spagnuolo fit and B) Excellent value at pick 30. Karlaftis has been in mock drafts and has been all over the place. Some have him going mid-first round and some have him being a second-round pick. Either way, it seems unlikely that the Chiefs would let him slide past pick 30.

Karlaftis is not for everyone. He is not great at changing direction. He is a bit predictable with his pass moves. That being said, he can consistently make plays and overpower offensive linemen. With a bit of NFL development, he could one day blossom is to a top pass-rusher in the NFL. In a room with Frank Clark and Chris Jones, Karlaftis could quickly refine his craft and be an effective player.

Again, who knows what the Chiefs do with this pick? A lot of people expect them to address the EDGE and wide receiver positions, but Veach is not afraid to take guys that are not necessarily popular. I would expect that there is a possibility that they look at any of the following positions with this pick: wide receiver, EDGE, right tackle, defensive tackle, cornerback, and safety. Karlaftis, however, is too good to pass up at 30.

The Bengals are hot off of successes of an AFC Championship victory over the Kansas City Chiefs. Now, they turn to the question of how they can sustain that success. The Bengals will want to build up their defense and Devonte Wyatt would be a nice piece to pair with DJ Reader. Or, at the very least Wyatt would make an excellent rotational piece for the next season.

Wyatt developed in the shadow of Jordan Davis at Georgia, but quietly put together a very nice career, playing all four years and becoming a great run stopper and adequate pass-rusher. Although, he is not what many would categorize as flashy, he is very good on a consistent basis. For the Bengals, that is really all that you need.

Wyatt is a guy that fits a clear need, but if the Bengals wanted to nab a guy like Kyler Gordon as the replacement for Eli Apple at the end of the first, that may also be on the table. The Bengals have a quarterback and good weapons, they just need there offensive line and defense to carry them the rest of the way.

(FROM LOS ANGELES RAMS)

Desmond Ridder is not for everyone. For the Lions, however, he is a great fit. While not on the same level as Kenny Pickett and Malik Willis, he is a leader and could be molded into a good player at some point. With time to grow behind Jared Goff, Ridder could one day be a solid NFL starter. Taking Ridder here would be good for several reasons.

Ridder is a proven winning with a collegiate record of 44-6, he has shown growth on a yearly basis. Although he does not have the strongest arm or most overall talent, he is a hard worker that leaves everything that he has on the field. With great pocket presence and technique, Ridder may one day be a very efficient system quarterback. That is certainly not a knock, system quarterbacks have had great success over the years.

Detroit could use someone like Ridder at pick 32 because he would have time to learn the system and eventually take that system over. With the last pick, they could also get that coveted 5th-year option on a rookie contract. Ridder would have a chance to single-handedly change the culture of the football team.