2022 NFL Draft quick guide for KC Chiefs fans

As stated earlier, the Chiefs have a huge haul of picks, thanks to the Hill trade. The team also gained a third-round compensatory pick in both 2022 and 2023 when the Chicago Bears hired Ryan Poles as their general manager.

Entering the draft, here is the complete list of the Chiefs’ selections:

• Thursday night (Round 1): Pick 29, Pick 30
• Friday night (Rounds 2 and 3): Pick 50, Pick 62, Pick 94, and Pick 103
• Saturday (Rounds 4-7): Pick 121, Pick 135, Pick 233, Pick 243, Pick 251, Pick 259

Because of their high volume of picks, I expect the Chiefs to make several trades in this draft. The obvious train of thought is to move up with one of their two first-round selections. Odds are, that player will be a defensive end, but don’t be shocked if the team moves up for a wide receiver, if the right player falls.

Depending on how high they move up, the Chiefs will likely have to give up one of their second or third round picks in order to make a move in Round 1. A trade to the mid-teens will likely cost Kansas City No. 29 and 50. A trade to the early-to-mid twenties will cost something like No. 29 and 94.

If the Chiefs don’t move up, I think it would be more likely to expect them to stand pat and take two players in the back end of the 1st round. Keep in mind, first round picks get a fifth-year option in their contracts that other players do not get.

One other strong possibility would be the Chiefs packaging a 2nd and 3rd round pick in order to move up into the top half of the second round. This is a tempting option because the Chiefs might come away with three players in the top-30 on their own board.

Another much less likely option would be to use their existing draft capital to trade back and acquire more picks in 2023. By parlaying a pick or two this season, the team could put themselves in a very strong position next season while still coming away with an entire draft class in 2022.

My prediction:

• Mid-1st round: Trade up with Picks 29 and 62, select DE George Karlaftis (Purdue), also receive a Day 3 pick in return
• Pick 30: WR Treylon Burks (Arkansas)
• Pick 50: S Jalen Pitre (Baylor)
• Mid-3rd round: Trade up with picks 94 and two 7ths, select DE Drake Jackson (USC)
• Pick 103: LB Brandon Smith (Penn State)
• Pick 121: CB Martin Emerson (Mississippi State)
• Pick 135: RB Dameon Pierce (Florida)

Compared to recent years past, in which the Chiefs have traded away first-round picks (2018, 2019, 2021), the team has a ton of assets and is bound to make several splashes in this year’s draft. While one could make an argument to trade up, trade down, or stand pat, the one thing we know is that you won’t want to miss it. The quantity of picks give the Chiefs a lot of flexibility and that means the Chiefs can do what is necessary to acquire their targeted players.