Draft Grade

[DJ's left nut]

I'm super lazy and would be largely KCCrow (apart from the Willie Gay thing, though I believe some of his concerns do have merit, the talent is just unreal). So I shall teal his format and remove all analysis.

Overall Grade A-

1-32 Clyde Edwards-Helaire, RB, LSU - Grade B+

A player + B positional value = B+ grade. Don't love the idea of RB in 1 but man does he fit nicely.

2-63 Willie Gay, Jr., LB, Mississippi State - Grade A-

I'm willing to gamble on the come here; unreal ability. Gotta get smarter and be put in the right places to succeed.

3-96 Lucas Niang, OT, TCU - Grade A-

Mentioned Niang as a viable 2nd round pick in the lead up to the mock. I worry about a should issue with an OL, but he could be a long-term starter at both G or even T. And if his warts remain, he's almost still going to be a damn nice pass-blocker. His strengths are where we need them to be. That's a spectacular pick in the late 3rd.

4-138 L'Jarius Sneed, CB/S, Louisiana Tech - Grade A-

"Here Spags, make this guy great..." -- I can live with that.

5-177 Michael Danna, DE, Michigan - Grade C-

I gave it a C because this is a pretty average 5th round pick but a guy who's an odd fit here to my eyes. And there were some guys on the board I'd have liked more.

7-237 Thakarius Keyes, CB, Tulane - Grade A-

Because the pick is so late it's hard to care much either way - the draft capital expended is deminimis. But like Sneed, this is a really toolsy kid and Veach trusts his staff.



All told I'm extremely happy with this draft. Just felt like I should ultimately end up on record somewhere so here it is.

[duncan_idaho]

Originally Posted by DJ's left nut

I'm super lazy and would be largely KCCrow (apart from the Willie Gay thing, though I believe some of his concerns do have merit, the talent is just unreal). So I shall teal his format and remove all analysis.

Overall Grade A-

1-32 Clyde Edwards-Helaire, RB, LSU - Grade A

I stumped for a RB at 32 if Murray, Queen, and the corners worthy of that pick (Henderson, Gladney, Okudah) in my view were all gone. The Chiefs did it, and did it with a guy who's a better fit in the pass game than my choice (Swift) who is actually probably a better fit for the Chiefs' run style with his sudden make-you-miss elusiveness. Positional value be damned, this was the right value for KC, when weighing team needs, the ability to upgrade a position, and players available.

2-63 Willie Gay, Jr., LB, Mississippi State - Grade A

If you're not scared off by the lack of experience of Patrick Queen, then Gay shouldn't scare you, either. The physical abilities are ridiculous, and I think the character concerns are overblown (cheated on a chemistry test; got in a fight none of us would know about if he hadn't impacted the orbital bone JuuuuuuuuuST right). He's got to work on diagnosing and avoiding being fooled by play action... but so does Queen. We'd all consider Queen an A+++++ here, so...

3-96 Lucas Niang, OT, TCU - Grade A

Not someone I was looking at before the draft, but he makes sense. Potential future franchise LT who can plug into LG right away? Love it. He's also nasty in the run game when healthy. Scared of the hip labrum a little, but damn what a fit.

4-138 L'Jarius Sneed, CB/S, Louisiana Tech - Grade A-

Love this stab. He has the measureables of a lockdown, top 15 pick CB. Hidden a little because of the position switch and being at a non-Power 5 school. With the Chiefs' depth, they can develop him and slow-play it, then unleash him in Year 2 as Breeland's replacement (upgrade?)

5-177 Michael Danna, DE, Michigan - Grade C

Freaky athlete, like his production at Central Michigan. Interested to see if they have him shed the 10 pounds he gained when moving to Michigan as a grad transfer and try to get back a little more of the freakiness.

7-237 Thakarius Keyes, CB, Tulane - Grade B+

Love the tools, love the nickname. Another raw-clay stab. Worth the cost, easily.

One-upping the laziness and just quoting you and inserting my comments and grades.

I think this was a great draft. Veach really trending up well.

Particularly, I like Veach's seeming willingness to think outside the box and zag when others are zigging. He's creative in adding talent and I like the way he uses QUANTITY when taking shots on guys who have the tools. Between Sneed, Bopete, and the UDFA CBs they're bringing in, I'm confidente they get at least one starting-caliber CB out of this rookie class, and a few have star potential.

CEH will give them the depth and dependability at RB the team missed a little in 2019, and he gives them a weapon to lean on along with Kelce and Hill after Watkins leaves, which I thought was a MUST in this draft. It will give them more flexibility at WR after this season, because they won't need to match the playmaking threat of Watkins right away.

I'll also throw some love on Kalifa Lipscomb as an UDFA. The dude is a great route-runner and has good hands. He performed well in SEC play against some dynamic CBs, too. I see a potential future starter at the X.