2022 NFL Draft grades: KC Chiefs earn high marks in first round

The Kansas City Chiefs earned some high marks when it comes to their immediate draft grades after taking two players in the first round

Coming into the 2022 NFL Draft, the Kansas City Chiefs were labeled as one of the cornerstone teams to watch thanks to a few elements coming together: an aggressive general manager in Brett Veach, a league-high 12 picks overall, and two first-round selections at their disposal.

While it took some time for the Chiefs to become relevant to the broadcast of the first round, the final third of Thursday night’s action featured the Chiefs front and center as they made two defensive selections of guys who could start from day one of the 2022 season.

Veach was one of the general managers who made sure Thursday will be remembered as perhaps the most active in NFL history. Nine trades went down in the first round alone, one of which sent the New England Patriots the No. 29 overall pick along with third- and fourth-round selections in exchange for No. 21. With that pick, the Chiefs selected cornerback Trent McDuffie.

From there, the Chiefs were able to stay put at their original slot at No. 30 as the board fell quite well to them in the last few picks with offensive linemen taking up several spots in the mid-twenties. The Chiefs stuck to their guns and landed Purdue pass rusher George Karlaftis with the second pick.

With the selections of both McDuffie and Karlaftis, the Chiefs were able to shore up significant areas of need on the defensive side of the ball. The team already had a massive need for a pass rusher and that was before Melvin Ingram left in free agency. The Chiefs also lost cornerback Charvarius Ward and Mike Hughes in free agency, so both young draft picks have a good chance to be starting options even as early as Week 1.

So what did NFL analysts think of the Chiefs’ picks? Did they like them? And what value did the Chiefs get at those specific spots? Let’s take a look at what experts are saying with their round one draft grades.