Day 2 of 2022 NFL Draft will be key for Kansas City Chiefs

The Kansas City Chiefs are coming off a successful first round of the 2022 NFL Draft after selecting cornerback Trent McDuffie and defensive end George Karlaftis, players at two positions where the Chiefs struggled last year.

Going into Day 2 of the draft, the Chiefs have an opportunity to build on a great first round and bring in more players who can help the team improve and potentially make a push to go back to the Super Bowl. In fact, the second day of the draft could be just as good as the first for the Chiefs.

As of now, Kansas City owns the 50th and 62nd picks in the second round and the 103rd pick in the third round. The Chiefs no longer own the 94th pick in the third round as the Chiefs traded that to New England as part of a package deal to move up in the first round to get McDuffie.

Given the team’s track record in the second and third rounds, don’t be surprised if the Chiefs find more key contributors on Day 2 of the 2022 NFL Draft.

Brett Veach joined the Chiefs in 2013 as a pro and college personnel analyst, then became the co-director of player personnel before being named the general manager in 2017. During Veach’s time in Kansas City, he’s had a hand in helping the Chiefs find some talented players in the second and third rounds. Don’t be surprised if the Chiefs find a secret weapon or two in the second and third rounds of the draft.

During Veach’s time in Kansas City, the Chiefs have come away with Travis Kelce, Chris Jones, Kareem Hunt, and Mecole Hardman, who’ve all been selected to at least one Pro Bowl. Outside of non-Pro Bowlers, the Chiefs have found some great contributors in Mitch Morse, Juan Thornhill, Willie Gay Jr., Lucas Niang, Nick Bolton, and Creed Humphrey. All of these players were drafted by the Chiefs in the second and third rounds.

It’s safe to say the Chiefs have a knack for finding good talent in these rounds. While McDuffie and Karlaftis are expected to be key contributors immediately, the Chiefs are capable of finding players who can make an impact in today’s portion of the draft.

Veach and his staff came away with a home run draft last year. The team has a chance to have another big draft with a couple of draft picks on Day 2. The rest will be up to Andy Reid and the Chiefs coaching staff to prove why the team selected the players they drafted.

Assuming the Chiefs don’t trade, they could end up with five players in the first three rounds. There is a good chance the Chiefs come away with Pro Bowl level type of players with at least two of the five selections.

The second day of the draft could be a key factor in helping the Chiefs reach the AFC Championship for a fifth consecutive year and play in the Super Bowl for the third time in four years.