2022 NFL Draft: Boye Mafe makes sense in first round for KC Chiefs

Now just a few days out from the 2022 NFL Draft, it is crunch time for the Kansas City Chiefs and their scouting department. Surely, they’ve done extensive work on many pass-rushers with a huge need in that department. Defensive end is probably one of the most ailing needs for the Chiefs because of the lack of talent. The Chiefs have by far the worst edge group among AFC Contenders with a room that consists of Frank Clark, Mike Danna, and Joshua Kaindoh.

Not only do they need a talent injection, but they need instant impact. Even if this year is going to be a soft reset for the Chiefs, you’re still trying to be competitive and it will be extremely hard to have a competent defense with such a lousy pass-rush that Brett Veach aimed to fix at the beginning of the offseason

A common player linked to the Kansas City Chiefs who makes sense in the first round is Minnesota defensive end Boye Mafe.

If the Chiefs don’t plan on trading up in the first round when most of the elite edge prospects will go that’s fine, they can still find quality at the end of the first round. A common name linked to the Chiefs is Minnesota’s Boye Mafe.

Mafe, who is 6’4″ and 265 lbs, possess decent size for a 3-4 defensive end who would obviously transition to a 4-3 scheme if he were to end up with Kansas City. Ultimately, the scheme is a little overrated in today’s day and age and you’re more looking for guys who can do things well that you’re in need of. Being a scheme fit is just gravy on top.

Luckily, Mafe does one thing pretty well that the Chiefs desperately need: winning off the edge as a pass rusher. Mafe was able to rack up 15 sacks, 87 combined tackles, and 19.5 tackles for a loss with 10 of them coming in his final season in his 4 years at Minnesota. Mafe was able to use his athleticism to his advantage in college and generate a lot of pressure because of his ability to win with speed and his short-area quickness.

His first step isn’t the cleanest, but he is violent in his get-off at the line and his relentless motor is evident. Where Mafe lacks is technique. He can be swallowed up by blockers because of his inconsistent hands at times and his rushes can be inefficient, but the effort is there. he’s not quite a “project” like Joshua Kaindoh last year where he had all the athletic upside but no pass-rush knowledge but Mafe will need a little bit of refining at the next level.

Mafe’s run defense will be another thing that needs improvising. I wouldn’t say he is a bad run defender but once he learns to better manipulate blockers, use his length, and overall discipline the potential is there to still be a competent run defender that you can leave in the game because he won’t burn you.

I’ve seen a lot of “developmental starter” takes regarding Mafe and his potential and I think that’s a bit misleading. Mafe absolutely has the ability to produce while being used situationally as a rookie because of the traits. That said, of course, he’ll have to develop. Most players the Chiefs take in this draft will have to develop to an extent but Mafe isn’t so far off in his technique that he will have to sit back and learn most of his rookie year. He should have no problem coming in and competing for playing time. Overall, Mafe is a relatively high floor/high ceiling prospect who projects as a plus pass-rusher for a Chiefs team in need of one and a safe choice at the end of the first round.