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The Athletic’s First Round Mock:
29. Kansas City Chiefs (from SF via MIA): Arnold Ebiketie, DE, Penn State
Nate Taylor: The Chiefs may not keep the 29th pick, but selecting an athletic pass rusher like Ebiketie makes a ton of sense. Ebiketie adds depth at the position and he has the talent to be an opening-day starter alongside star defensive tackle Chris Jones and veteran defensive end Frank Clark. Listed at 6-foot-2 and 250 pounds, Ebiketie fits the frame that defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo wants from his defensive ends. In college, he showed a strong combination of speed and power in pressuring opposing quarterbacks.
General manager Brett Veach said earlier in the offseason, before trading star receiver Tyreek Hill to the Dolphins, that the Chiefs’ biggest priority was to add talent to their defensive line. Selecting Ebiketie helps accomplish that plan.
Dane Brugler: Ebiketie is considered a late first-round possibility for several teams, and the Chiefs could be one of them with the way he fits Spagnuolo’s scheme. Long and twitched up, the Temple transfer put dominant flashes on film that rocketed him up draft boards throughout the season. He needs to mature his reliability in the run game, but he can be an impact rusher early in his career.
30. Kansas City Chiefs: Daxton Hill, S, Michigan
Nate Taylor: Perhaps the biggest positional need for the Chiefs here is at receiver, especially in the aftermath of trading Hill to the Dolphins. But with prospects like Williams, Watson and Burks off the board, the Chiefs can feel comfortable selecting Hill, who could be their new nickel cornerback or their third safety alongside projected starters Justin Reid and Juan Thornhill. Listed at 6-foot and 191 pounds, Hill has above-average ball skills and is versatile enough to cover both receivers and tight ends. By adding Hill, the Chiefs’ projected starting cornerbacks on the perimeter can be L’Jarius Sneed and Rashad Fenton.
Dane Brugler: I’m a huge Dax Hill fan. He’s a twitched-up athlete with versatility to cover in the slot or make plays in the run game. But it would be surprising if the Chiefs bypass a receiver here with Jahan Dotson still on the board. It will be tough to replace Tyreek Hill regardless of what moves they make, but Dotson and his big-time ball skills would help soften the blow. Doubling up with back-to-back Penn State prospects would be my vote here.
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