The pick I'd make.
 

I've read about the draft, watched my fair share of film/footage, perused my fair share of draft guides and the posts here on this forum.

Here's what I would do if given the chance.

With our first, I'd take Mazi Smith.

Honestly, given the mocks I've seen, I'd take Bijan Robinson if he fell to us, but there's just no way he does. He's too good, too talented. And if the Chiefs can run the ball, they simply can't lose. A great run game with Mahomes is an unstoppable force.

But no, Bijan will go earlier in the 1st round (we better hope it's not to the Eagles, Bills, or Bengals).

What the Chiefs should do, however is go for Mazi Smith. For the following reasons:

1. The need at DT is the greatest need on this team.
a. The WR position will need reinforcements (assuming Hopkins is still off the table?). But the team has talent at the position to start with and talent that is under contract into 2024.
b. The need at offensive tackle exists, but there are free agent solutions for a swing tackle. The Chiefs just won a Super Bowl with Andrew Wylie at right tackle; I just don't think they care about right tackle that much. Niang is under contract two more years, there's no need to immediately replace him, but the team should consider adding a draft pick or free agents to compete there.
c. The need at defensive end exists, but there's already a good three-man rotation with three guys who can all reduce down to DT on passing downs. I expect them to add another player at the position either in the draft or free agency.
d. They have no players under contract at defensive tackle at this time for 2024 -- none. And Chris Jones is an impending free agent at this time.

2. There are no elite players left at 31, but there are a few players with elite skillsets. Mazi Smith is the best run defender in this draft, and he does have Dontari Poe's passrushing upside. Which isn't great, but it's usable for someone who is a 1 tech for you.

3. Mazi Smith is DJ Reader. He's going to shut down the run single-handedly when he's more fully developed, and allow the rest of the team to flow more creatively against the pass rather than buckling down against the run.

This is a team that can do whatever they want, and there are defensive tackles on day 2 and even on day 3 that are capable of doing the job -- not to mention they can always scoop a guy in free agency. But they need to be assured they have upper level talent at defensive tackle in 2024, and at this time I think it's more likely than not that Chris Jones moves on.

On the 2nd day of the draft, I'd consider trading up into the middle of the 2nd for the best passrusher/wide receiver that you can get your hands on, then spend the rest of the draft packing this team full of depth.

I wouldn't be disappointed, honestly. After many film rewatches and reading and opinions of sorts, I would say that I wouldn't take Mazi before Benton but that is my personal preference due to pass rush potential. I think Mazi might set a slightly stronger anchor in the run game but he shows far less initial snap quickness, burst, and ability to straight-up beat his man than Benton does for me.

I wouldn't hate it at all, but it would definitely be a little bit of a let down to take a DT that early.

Then you're left scrambling to fill our 3 biggest needs (OT/WR/DE).

I'd disagree that OT, WR, or DE trump the need at DT. The only argument I see against it is the positional value at 31. I don't know that any of Bresee (my god he's so ****ing overrated), Benton, or Smith is worth the 31st pick. I just would rather take my chances and see if one falls within striking distance in the 2nd and if not I'll take Pickens or wait until probably early day 3 for some other guys that are more one-trick ponies to fill out depth/rotation.

Now, we can argue what position is of greatest need after that but I'm not sure I wouldn't have DE last on the list (in fact, I'm confident it would be last). I like our top 3 there more than the rest of the positions. We don't have enough consistency at WR and we need depth behind Niang at a minimum if he goes back the route of the brokedick. But like all things, it has to be the right value at the right time. I don't want Veach to go wild swinging for anyone unless he's going up for one of the top 2 tackles and, even though I consider Broderick Jones an elite talent, that could end up a questionable move.

I'm even open to him improving the CB group if that's the best guy. Sneed is a FA next year and the other guys were serviceable but far from "good." If a blue-chipper falls, yeah grab him. It lets you move McDuffie inside to Sneed's role next year if you want, which is a pretty ideal spot for him IMO.

It really depends who's there, and honestly I think DT not being considered a top need is misleading since it's Chris Jones and a bunch of nobodies.

I feel Chris Jones covers a ton of ills at defensive tackle for us, minus the obvious problem D pointed out with nobody under contract next year, but I could get very excited at the thought of a high impact rookie lining up next to him. Hell, I was all about getting Ndamukong Suh in here the last couple of years to have someone to compliment Jones. I'd take this pick with no complaints whatsoever.

It's not that I don't see DT as a need, but the Chiefs just don't value the NT position next to Jones, so that changes my perspective on DT vs. OT/WR/DE.

I would advise you watch Mike Danna last year. Our biggest need from DT is pass rush on 3rd and 4+. A clear rewatch of the Bengals game alone shows his value.
On Frank Clark’s first sack, Burrow held onto the ball bc Danna walked the G into Burrow’s face quickly forcing him off his spot.

Omenihu is a better version of that with his size, speed and length. There are more pass rushing options there than people think.

It’s DE that is weak on those downs right now.

Been saying all along Mazi Smith feels like the pick to me.

Could you imagine if CJ went down for the year, god forbid, our DL would be amongst the worst in the league IMO.

I just don't see any pass rush potential at all really with Smith.

He's a run stuffer. I mean, you need a guy like that, but in the first round? When you can sign a Mike Pennel for pennies any time?

I just don't see it.

Benton I could see, but also not in the first; he gives you a little more pass rush.

Jahmyr Gibbs

This all of this. I don’t think it will be Mazi and frankly I’d be disappointed if it was. It’s an important position but not a needle mover. The lines better served over Al with a more dangerous edge to help CJ95 unless Mazi just wakes up as prime Vince wilfork m.

If they take a DT in the 1st then that's pretty much the end of Chris Jones.

While a DT would be a good pick for this team, it'd still suck cuz the excitement of our 1st round pick will be overshadowed by the idea that they won't be re-signing Jones.

With that said, i hope they dont go DT.

Huh?

I don't see it that way at all. I guess if they get a guy that's more of a Jones type, but if they draft Mazi Smith, the DT most are talking about, it's to pair with Jones.

Mazi Smith would be a pretty lackluster selection. I don't see a 3 down player and I don't think you can talk me into drafting a 2 down player in the first round.

Ask the Bengals if DJ Reader isn't a needle mover.

Reader is the reason Anurumo can be the weirdo he is on defense. He can cheat with linebackers, he can drop 8 without a ton of fear against the run, he can blitz in unorthodox ways, opening up A gaps you wouldn't normally want to, because Reader has the ability to clog it all up. He's fantastic.

I think Mazi Smith is DJ Reader.

Selected in the 5th round DJ Reader?

I think if you want mostly a 2-down run stopper with enough to occasionally get home on the QB like Mazi, then why wouldn't Cameron Young from Miss St make just as much sense in round 4?

Elite defensive tackle DJ Reader.

Your best chance to replicate him is earlier in the draft, so the theory goes.

Otherwise we'd all be able to get Tyreek Hill clones in the 5th.

/thread.

Two things.

1. I think you're overrating Reader. Just a tad.
2. Doesn't matter. There are elite kickers but doesn't mean we should be drafting them in the first round. The draft value in a 2 down defender in this era is low when you're discussing the first round. Even if its a hit, you still blew the pick.

While this team is loaded they need more of an impact player in Round 1.

So you’re saying a guy who’s going to be off the field for mike danna to rush on third down isn’t worth the 31? Crazy.

For me, I'm happy to make teams one-dimensional on offense.

If they cannot run on us because our two-down run stuffer cannot be moved, and they have to engage Mahomes in a passing duel, that's worth a 1st rounder to me.

Teams can beat us with elite QBs (duh), but they can also beat us by running us over and keeping Mahomes off the field.

I want to make offenses one-dimensional, like the Bengals consistently have done against us with Reader.

Cameron Young is a run stuffer.

Mazi Smith is a run stopper. And he's going to be a force multiplier for Nick Bolton.

I think Smith has the ability to become more than jsut a 2 down player though.

Great...so now you've made the offense one dimensional and Mahomes has staked us to an early lead. Your first round pick is relegated to the bench because said offense is forced to throw.

Grab that guy later in the draft and get a guy who can help you in more than just one way.

I actually don't think Smith can't run the passer, but to each their own.

That's great but it still doesn't make any sense to take Mazi Smith in the first round for this scheme.

Because we've played terrible DTs next to Jones doesn't mean we should just keep doing that.

That doesn't mean overdrafting a 2 down defender is the move you should make.

We sure about that?

I mean, their statistical output over the past two seasons is near identical. They have very similar playstyles and results but Young is quicker off the ball. Both have an issue with coming up too high. Both are difficult to move off their spot.

I think you're slightly overvaluing Mazi while undervaluing Young. Yeah, I'd say Mazi has more upside and I'd take a shot on that if we were a 3-4 defense that relied heavily on a NT but we're a 1-gap 3-4. I'll take a guy that is solid at his job and quick off the ball and that's good enough.

I was all about Mazi when he was being slotted in the third due to the gun thing. If he dropped, I'd surely take him there.

In the first? Nah. He's a two down run stuffer, and I just don't see first round value. I don't see anything that indicates he can be a plus pass rusher at all. If he couldn't do it in college, why would he in the pros? I just don't see it.

Playing in Harbaughs defense, he's not really asked to do it much. Remember Justin Smith with the 9ers freeing up Aldon all those times?

What are the trenches worth to you on defense?

We will likely take a large DE early in the draft, giving us four DEs who can play the run at least passably well. We also have Chris Jones.

But it all means nothing if Nnadi is getting bowled over by a power scheme.

I believe Mazi Smith stops the power scheme. And he wins you the interior.

That is a 1st round pick, and if teams have to play left-handed to avoid it, so be it.

Also, this.

I mean....if I'm picking a side to agree with....it isn't going to be the one that has O.City and Mecca on it. Just sayin...

How many times has Mahomes lost to a team that runs primarily inside the tackles? The titans two years ago? Henry isnt Henry anymore, that teams gutted and still couldnt do it come the playoffs. So maybe Baltimore or the 9ers?

And to that argument just sign a run stuffing Jag.

Bills and Bengals ran all over us. And we're probably facing the Eagles or 49ers in the Super Bowl if/when we get there.

The bills and bengals did when we were in light personel. Is Mazi even going to be out there for that? Nnadi was some but not always. I just dont see it.

Reader is.

Reader is a key reason the Bengals feel comfortable dropping 8 against Mahomes.

I'm just saying.

So Mazi Smith is Reader now?

That's been my argument.

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Brett Kollman --> 27:54 minute mark

If he doesn't develop into a reliable inside rusher, yeah, I'm not a huge fan. The tools and athleticism are there, so I don't see why we couldn't project that out.

If you play him the snaps Saunders got last year, he gets 3-4 sacks.

I think he's usable in passing downs, but you probably are yanking him off the field for Turk Wharton or Mike Danna on 3rd and long.

This is a good counterpoint

How did that work out for them last time with a gimpy Pat and no receivers? Not very well.

The things that stand out are with a good coaching staff he has the skill to become a dominant player. He got under Steve Avila's pads and nearly knocked him down with 1 arm.

The pure talent is there it's teaching him the technique and consistency to do it every play.

Their defense isn't why they lost that game, they didn't score enough.

It was a team loss, but ultimately that Defense should have dictated the game. They didn't.

Way too much to invest in the DT position with a Jones extension looming

sounds like we need a run DT with the a sack potential or a DE that can sack and be stout against the the run... Who does that narrow it down too?

What? No. Not really. They just need a fat body to take some snaps from Nnadi.

Foskey, Tuli, Hall, Diaby, Foskey, Benton, Stills, Diaby, Harrison, McGuire, Ojomo, Foskey, Diaby.

If you can't tell, I really like Foskey and Diaby.