AA Writers grade the KC Chiefs 2022 NFL Draft class
Round 1 – Pick 30 – George Karlaftis – Edge – Purdue
Matt Conner: “Some folks are down on the ceiling, but the Chiefs need his floor and then some. A glue pick.” Grade: A-
Zach Gunter: “Karlaftis fell right into our laps. I’ve said from the beginning that EDGE was our highest position of need, and I never expected we would get one as solid and NFL-ready as Karlaftis is. Amazing pick.” Grade: A++
Grant Tuttle: “Karlaftis is somewhat divisive in Kansas City. While he is never going to be a 20-sacks-in-a-season kind of guy, Karlaftis is a very intelligent and powerful player and fits the prototype that Steve Spagnuolo loves on his defensive line. While Karlaftis is not a home run, he could certainly be a base-clearing triple.” Grade: B+
Lyle Graversen: “I wasn’t banging the drum for Karlaftis leading up to the draft because I truly believed that the Chiefs would have to trade up for him and I didn’t think he had the elite upside to invest a bunch of picks in. However, he’s fantastic value at pick #30. He’ll be a good starting player at KC’s biggest area of need. I also love his relentless attitude on the field and think when mixed with a couple of other picks KC made will help reinvent the personality of this defense.” Grade: A
Scott Loring: “Hard to find an edge rusher at 30 that is ready to start on day 1, but the Chiefs did. Still just 21, Karlaftis should be able to strengthen up even more in the weight room.” Grade: B+
Jacob Milham: “Don’t let his slide fool you. Karlaftis might not be a Day 1 monster, but his ceiling is higher than his draft peers.” Grade: A+