Way Too Early 2017 Mock (Update: 12/26/16)
 

OFFSEASON PLAN


DRAFT

1. Raekwon McMillan, ILB, Ohio State (6'3" 243)

There is no question that the Chiefs need help at inside linebacker heading into 2017. I'm going out on a limb and saying that McMillan will declare for the draft after listening to some of his comments during bowl week. The difference between him staying and going really depends on how badly he wants a tree planted in his name after only garnering 2nd-team All-American honors this season (shameful really). McMillan is one of Ohio State's better players at a position they've had some all-time greats at, and that is not a small statement. This kid is the real deal. He can cover, shed blockers, blitz, hit like a truck, he can do it all. All that while being the unquestioned leader of the Buckeyes' defense, an outstanding student, and an outstanding community volunteer. McMillan could instantly fill the void left by Derrick Johnson, whom I believe will retire following a second Achilles rupture. If the Chiefs have to trade up to get this kid, I'm on board.

2. Hunter Dimick, DE, Utah (6'3" 266)

Dee Ford has stepped up way more than I thought he would in 2016. While his run defense needs to improve much more, he's come a long way since his rookie season when he was running away from the offense. It may be time I eat some crow on Ford, but he has work yet to do until I'm convinced he can carry this over for the long-haul. With Ford's emergence as a threat, pass rusher becomes a less pressing need. However, Hali may just hang them up after 2016, so a third pass rusher is definitely going to be needed. In the same breath, can KC afford to retain some players on defense in the coming years, including Ford? Dimick reminds me of Hali with decent speed, good strength, outstanding technique, and a motor that just doesn't shut down. Not to mention, he lead the PAC-12 with 13.5 sacks in 2016.

3. Chidobe Awuzie, CB, Colorado (5'11" 205)

Pick your reasons that Chiefs will likely need to add once again to the defensive backfield, which might include: the KeiVarae Russell debacle, Kenneth Acker not playing well, D.J. White showing a rookie learning curve, Phillip Gaines always being injured, or Steven Nelson looking lost 90% of the time. Awuzie reminds me alot of my guy from last season, D.J. White. He's not huge, but he's menacing in all facets. Sticky in coverage, great tackler, physical, can play special teams, blitzes well from the nickel, and can play the football well enough. This kid can line up anywhere in the defensive backfield. As much as KC runs the nickel, Awuzie might be a perfect addition.

4. Erik Magnuson, OT, Michigan (6'5" 305)

The Chiefs may be needing to free up some cap space and Jah Reid seems like a good candidate for the cut list. If that is the case, the Chiefs will need to go shopping for a backup right tackle/guard candidate. Magnuson has the athleticism and demeanor to stay out at tackle in the NFL, but must clean up some technique issues to be consistent in the NFL. Magnuson is one of the best pass blocking lineman in the Big Ten and is a solid run blocker to boot.

4. Nathan Peterman, QB, Pittsburgh (6'2" 225) (Projected Comp - Jeff Allen, OG)

With Rudolph deciding to stay in school, I really don't see the need for the Chiefs to jump on a QB overly early in the draft. That said, I'm putting Peterman back into my mock after a short-lived exit. Peterman checks alot of boxes in the Aaron Murray-type of mold having run a pro-style offense and having a good arm and solid mechanics, but perhaps better athleticism and a stronger arm. The Chiefs will likely need a 3rd QB going into 2017 if they don't retain Nick Foles, which doesn't seem likely given the cap restraints.

5. Jeremy Sprinkle, TE, Arkansas (6'5" 256)

The Chiefs have a fairly healthy stable of tight ends, especially receiving tight ends, but they lack a solid all-around tight end opposite Travis Kelce. Sprinkle is not only a reliable pass receiver and solid end-zone threat, but he's a very good blocker that can make contact on the move. He gets used at multiple spots in the Razorback offense, including in tight, split out, and at half-back, so he has some versatility as a blocker/receiver. Sprinkle doesn't have elite quickness and speed to threaten the seam as a number one tight end in the NFL, but he's got very respectable long speed to break away if given the opportunity.

5. De'Veon Smith, RB, Michigan (5'11" 228) (Projected Comp - Chase Daniel, QB)

The Chiefs very well may release or trade Jamaal Charles this offseason and the stable of RBs gets a bit light after Spencer Ware. Smith is a near clone of Ware in that he's a big, strong, powerful back that hits the hole hard and fast. Smith has good vision and is a one-cut-and-go type of back. Smith also catches the ball very well out of the backfield, which is a huge prerequisite in Andy Reid's offense.

6. Forfeited, Anti-Tampering

6. Treyvon Hester, DT, Toledo (6'3" 300) (Projected Comp - Donald Stephenson, OT)

Dontari Poe is set to hit free agency if he doesn't get a contract, and Jaye Howard will have 1 year left on his 2-year deal, plus there could be depth issues if the Chiefs don't retain Kendall Reyes. The Chiefs will need to continue the pipeline on the D-line. Hester is a good sized tackle with disruptive traits, especially a quick first step off the snap. Hester is routinely double and triple-teamed on the front line, so his stat lines don't look gaudy. Looks like a bit quicker version of Jaye Howard. Needs some work on maintaining his area discipline and play recognition, but his motor doesn't seem to stop. Plays with more of a defensive end mentality than a defensive tackle.

6. Isaac Asiata, OG, Utah (6'3" 323) (Projected Comp - Tyvon Branch, SS)

The Chiefs depth at OG, and even its starters, are a bit suspect. Asiata is a ball of energy on the offensive line with excellent foot speed and great bulk for the position. His abilit to pull and get into space is a huge upgrade to what Zach Fulton can offer. Asiata has played a bit of tackle and both guard spots in his four years with the Utes, giving him some flexibility as a rotational lineman at the onset. If Asiata can clean up his tendency to lean into blocks after engaging, he'll be a quality player on the interior. Asiata won the PAC-12's Morris Trophy as the top offensive lineman in the conference as voted by his peers on the defensive line.

7. Josh Augusta, DT, Missouri (6'4" 346)

The Chiefs may have a major issue if Poe leaves in free agency, but if he's retained the NT position becomes less of a concern. This is where a player like Augusta could be developed for the future. Augusta was beginning to look more like a baby mammoth than a football player, but finally seemed to get his weight under control in 2016, and his stat line benefited tremendously. The fact remains, his weight issues are going to scare teams off and push him down in the draft despite his solid play in 2016. If Augusta can maintain a sub-350 pound weight and continue to develop, he could be a force on the interior that commands double-teams.

Change Lists (Last update 12/26/16)



ROSTER

QB: A. Smith, T. Bray, N. Peterman
RB: S. Ware, C. West, D. Smith
FB: A. Sherman
WR: J. Maclin, C. Conley, T. Hill, D. Robinson, D. Thomas
TE: T. Kelce, R. Travis, J. Sprinkle, J. O'Shaughnessy
OL: E. Fisher, M. Schwartz, E. Magnuson
OG: L. Duvernay-Tardiff, P. Ehinger, I. Asiata
OC: M. Morse, Z. Fulton
DE: C. Jones, J. Howard, A. Bailey, R. Nunez-Roches, T. Hester
NT: D. Poe, J. Augusta
OLB: J. Houston, D. Ford, H. Dimick, D. Nicholas, F. Zombo
ILB: R. McMillan, J. Mauga, R. Wilson, D. Alexander, T. Smith, D. Johnson
CB: M. Peters, T. Mitchell, P. Gaines, S. Nelson, D. White, C. Awuzie, K. Acker
FS: R. Parker, E. Murray
SS: E. Berry, D. Sorensen
ST: C. Santos, D. Colquitt, J. Winchester

I like your first round pick, but Garrett is the best edge player in this draft.

Garrett is going 1 or 2 in the draft. He's not in KC's wheelhouse. I was speaking in terms of reality for the Chiefs, and probably could have stated it better. Unless, of course, KC loses out.

Oh, gotcha.

It sucks because that dude looks like von miller 2.0. Ridiculously good.

Agreed. Kid is outstanding. Only way he doesn't go #1, IMO is because a team needs a QB desperately.

I would consider trading all the way up for garrett. He's legit.

But I like a couple of the other rushers. Charles Harris from Mizzou is interesting to me.

I don't know that Harris is a scheme fit. He isn't terribly agile. I guess you could put him in Hali's role where he's in coverage in rare situations and is mostly tasked with getting after the QB. He's an odd athlete in that he appears pretty explosive but for some reason he just doesn't seem to cut/turn very well. His lean is only okay and I think that puts a ceiling on him.

He's also regressed a bit this season. He had a nice game against UGA but I still need to see more of that. He was pretty much invisible against WVU and Western Michigan. If I'm going to invest big time draft capital into another 3-4 conversion project, I'll need to see more consistent performance.

Then again, it's possible I'm not being fair. He came so far, so fast in his first 2 years that maybe I'm expecting too much because I'm a Mizzou fan. I tend to be down on most Missouri prospects for that very reason.

Possibly. He looked alot more fluid against Georgia but that's possibly an outlier.

That transition from de to olb in the 34 is always tough for me to predict.

Sure, low round QB's occasionally work out. I'm not going to bet on it though. They're wasted draft picks as far as I'm concerned. Until we get the balls to use a high draft pick on one we might as well use the pick on a position where the guy can at the very least contribute on special teams.

I agree wholeheartedly, unless a team is looking for a cheap, 3rd string, waterboy. That being said, the Chiefs may very well be looking for exactly that in 2017.

1. Brad Kaaya QB Miami
2. Trade up---DeVonte Fields OLB Louisville

Right now this is what I want

I made one tweak... but I don't know that I can realistically start thinking QB in round 1 with this group of clowns...

A 6th round QB?

Man, the Crow knows KC like the back of his hand, that nice lad.

ROFL

They have yet to prove it wrong... lol... Perhaps, one day, before we're all dead.

Nacua is a very good player, but the Cougar you need to take a look at in the later rounds is Harvey Langi, DE/LB from BYU. 6'3", 255 lb.

The guy was a Utah HS legend and signed with Utah and played at RB as a true freshman. Transferred to BYU after his church mission and they played him at ILB last season. Because of his combination of speed and strength, they moved him to DE for the 2016 campaign. So, the guy is on his third completely different position in college, but they can't keep him off the field because of his freakish athleticism.

He'd be a project, but he's a freak. Worth a late rounder to see if he can be coached up into a singular position such as ILB or OLB.

(As a side note, Harvey's cousin, Mo Langi, a former rugby player who is currently on his church mission that committed to BYU, stands 6'7", 410 lb.

However, the defensive back that you really want to take a look at is Utah redshirt sophomore safety Chase Hansen. 6'3", 215 lb. A former HS Parade All-American QB, Gatorade State POY, etc, etc, who has some of the best football instincts I've ever seen. Maybe the best HS QB the state of Utah has ever seen, but, again, was simply too good to stay off the field in any capacity so he started playing safety last season while also playing QB. Suffered a broken leg late in the 2015 season, but is playing extremely well to start the 2016 season.

CBS Sports currently has Hansen's backfield mate safety Marcus Williams as their #41 overall prospect for the 2017 draft and, IMO, Hansen is easily the better player of the two.

Is draftable as a redshirt sophomore, but hasn't indicated if he'll take that route following the 2016 season.