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2022 NFL Draft: Three players KC Chiefs shouldn’t have passed on

By Jacob Milham

Apr 28, 2022; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Kansas City Chiefs fans cheer during the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft at the NFL Draft Theater. Mandatory Credit: Gary Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 28, 2022; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Kansas City Chiefs fans cheer during the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft at the NFL Draft Theater. Mandatory Credit: Gary Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jaguars (80) WR Kevin Austin pulls in a pass during Friday drills. The Jacksonville Jaguars held their first Rookie Minicamp on the turf of TIAA Bank Field Friday afternoon, May 13, 2022. Among those in attendance were the team’s 2022 draft picks.Jki 051322 Jagsrookieminicamp 04
Jaguars (80) WR Kevin Austin pulls in a pass during Friday drills. The Jacksonville Jaguars held their first Rookie Minicamp on the turf of TIAA Bank Field Friday afternoon, May 13, 2022. Among those in attendance were the team’s 2022 draft picks.Jki 051322 Jagsrookieminicamp 04 /

WR Kevin Austin Jr.

Undrafted free agent, signed by Jacksonville Jaguars

There were plenty of interesting undrafted free agents, and Kansas City arguably got the best available in wide receiver Justyn Ross. But, the Chiefs could have addressed wide receiver late in the seventh round by drafting Kevin Austin, Jr.

A Notre Dame product, Austin is the epitome of a mid-ceiling, low-floor prospect. He only has 54 catches in his collegiate career. He missed the 2019 season by violating team rules, then lost much of 2020 with a foot injury. Austin’s 2021 season performance caught scouts’ eyes, as he totaled 888 receiving yards and 7 touchdowns.

Austin improved as the season went along, both by the numbers and by his fundamentals. His frame—6’2″, 200 lbs.—fits well in the NFL, and he seemed to have only scratched the surface of his potential. NFL analyst Lance Zierlein projected him as high as Round 3 of the 2022 NFL Draft, so Austin going undrafted was surprising.

There may be injury or character concerns fans are unaware of that raised red flags with teams. However, if there was not, Kansas City could have added another tantalizing receiving prospect to the mix. The Chiefs selecting safety Nazeeh Johnson was met with a lukewarm response. Austin was available there at 259th overall. If he develops into any semblance of a contributor, teams will be frustrated they missed out.

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