What Chiefs fans learned about Brett Veach in 2022 NFL Draft

Veach can show restraint/patience

Coming into the weekend, the Chiefs had 12 picks and, as we’ve covered, the expectation ahead of the draft was that Veach would burn through those in an effort to move up the draft board and grab his guy. He’s been doing that since Breeland Speaks was his first-ever pick, and when given 12 overall selections to bolster a roster already worthy of contention, it just felt like Veach’s aggression could really come into play.

What we learned about Brett Veach this weekend is that he’s learned to pair restraint and patience with his signature aggression—a sign of maturity and perspective that’s come from his experience in the Chiefs front office.

While Veach moved up eight spots in the first round to grab Trent McDuffie at No. 21 overall in a deal with the Patriots, he also gained a pick right back from them in the second round when he shifted four spots from No. 50 to No. 54 overall. The Chiefs were on the clock and poised to take a receiver, which they did at No. 54 in Skyy Moore, but Veach gave up his initial spot to gain No. 158 overall in the fifth round. The Chiefs watched a few receivers go in that short stretch but still landed a solid playmaker for the offense.

In future rounds, the Chiefs were forced to watch and wait as a team that picked at or near the bottom of a round—a position they’re used to at this point under Andy Reid—and Veach held his ground in most rounds. In the third, he waited until it was time for his compensatory pick and still landed Wisconsin linebacker Leo Chenal. In the fourth, he waited for 30 picks or so before drafting an exciting developmental corner in Joshua Williams of Fayetteville State.

The Chiefs aren’t afraid to make the big move to go after the talent they desire most, but Veach has now proven to be willing to let things come to him. He’s trusting the process and the team is better for it.