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KC Chiefs address offense and defense in first-round mock draft

By Logan Lazarczyk

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - MAR 01: Brett Veach, general manager of the Kansas City Chiefs speaks to reporters during the NFL Draft Combine at the Indiana Convention Center on March 1, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - MAR 01: Brett Veach, general manager of the Kansas City Chiefs speaks to reporters during the NFL Draft Combine at the Indiana Convention Center on March 1, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /
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ORLANDO, FL – NOVEMBER 21: Ahmad Gardner #12 of the Cincinnati Bearcats breaks up a pass intended for Jaylon Robinson #1 of the Central Florida Knights at Bounce House-FBC Mortgage Field on November 21, 2020 in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by Alex Menendez/Getty Images)
ORLANDO, FL – NOVEMBER 21: Ahmad Gardner #12 of the Cincinnati Bearcats breaks up a pass intended for Jaylon Robinson #1 of the Central Florida Knights at Bounce House-FBC Mortgage Field on November 21, 2020 in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by Alex Menendez/Getty Images) /

4. New York Jets: CB Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner, Cincinnati

Gardner is as safe of a surefire pick of any prospect in this draft. It is definitely a possibility that the Jets go this route of selecting the former Cincinnati corner. The 6’2”, 188-pound defensive back never allowed a touchdown through his three years in college. With wide receivers like Tyreek Hill, Jaylen Waddle, and Stefon Diggs in the AFC East, the Jets need a bonafide corner that can suppress the firepower of those weapons. Gardner has the capability of stepping in and making an immediate impact for New York while possessing the ability to be a lockdown corner for years to come.

5. New York Giants: OT Charles Cross, Mississippi State

The Giants have so many needs to fill, but the clear detriment to their team is the offensive line. New York’s offensive line ranked 30th in 2021 according to Pro Football Focus. Andrew Thomas made a significant jump in his second season, but he may be the only member on the line with a clear future. Bringing in Cross would give the Giants some much-needed help on the right side of the line. The 6’5”, 305-pound offensive tackle is NFL-ready and excels in pass protection. Cross is an exceptional athlete and has a great initial first step, keeping up with top edge rushers. Good Morning Football host Peter Schrager talked about Cross in his latest mock draft where he has Cross landing with the Giants.

6. Pittsburgh Steelers (via trade with Carolina): QB Malik Willis, Liberty

This is the first trade of the draft, and it makes a lot of sense for both sides. Besides the sixth pick, Carolina will not make another selection until pick 137 in the fourth round. This allows the Panthers to accumulate more picks, and possibly grab a first-round pick in 2023. As for the Steelers, it is well-known that Mike Tomlin is a fan of Willis, and there is a chance the Liberty quarterback is not available at 20. Willis going to Pittsburgh is a perfect situation, as he can sit for a year behind Mitchell Trubisky, and if Trubisky struggles during the season, Pittsburgh can turn to Willis. Sitting for a year would be the best thing for Willis however. The 22-year-old is the rawest quarterback prospect this year, but clearly possesses the most upside of all the signal-callers in this draft. Willis has a huge arm and is very elusive, but the offense he ran at Liberty was very simplistic. It will be a major learning curve for Willis at the next level, but with a year of learning from the bench, it would be expected of Willis to step in as the 2023 starter.

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