ESPN says this is our perfect mock draft for 2022...

[Couch-Potato]

Kansas City Chiefs NFL mock draft for 2022: Building perfect class with prospect fits for all 12 picks in seven rounds

With 12 selections in the 2022 NFL draft, the Kansas City Chiefs are loaded with the draft capital needed to reload at key positions to try to get back to a fifth-straight AFC title game.

General manager Brett Veach hit home runs in the 2021 NFL draft when he selected Creed Humphrey and Trey Smith to rebuild the offensive line. He'll need similar hits in the 2022 class as Kansas City faces depth problems at wide receiver, defensive end, cornerback and safety. And that doesn't include future needs at right tackle and tight end.

The Chiefs have been the standard in the AFC since Patrick Mahomes took over as the starting quarterback in 2018, but to remain in that lofty position the roster must be turned over after the losses of stars Tyreek Hill and Tyrann Mathieu. They're also going to face salary-cap issues Mahomes' contract value goes up as part of his extension signed in 2020.

With 12 picks -- including six in the first three rounds -- now is the time to do a roster renovation. Here's one look at how Veach and Co. can add key pieces to fuel another deep playoff run.

First, some rules:

There are no trades projected in this mock draft, even though the Chiefs are in a great position to maneuver in Round 1. I wanted to show just how many needs Kansas City has and how effectively those needs can be filled via the draft.

We're keeping this realistic with each selection by drafting players who are ranked near the selection number on my overall Big Board.

Scroll to the bottom to see how ESPN Chiefs reporter Adam Teicher evaluates this haul. We'll start with the two picks at Nos. 29 and 30:

Round 1, No. 29 (via MIA/SF): Daxton Hill, DB, Michigan
We know the Chiefs love speed on offense, but they've also done a great job of drafting speedy defensive backs and letting them wreak havoc on opposing quarterbacks. Michigan's sticky cover man Hill fits that bill.

The 6-foot and 191-pound Hill has the size to play the free safety role, but what intrigues me most is drafting him as a replacement for Mathieu. Hill often played in the slot on Michigan's defense and is capable of covering receivers and tight ends in man coverage. Thanks to his 4.38 speed in the 40-yard dash and instincts as a defender, he's a potential difference-maker in the secondary.


Round 1, No. 30: Christian Watson, WR, North Dakota State
A favorite pairing of mine is to give the 6-foot-4 Watson to the Chiefs to bulk up a wide receiver corps that was undersized last season. The additions of JuJu Smith-Schuster and Marquez Valdes-Scantling will no doubt help, but both are on short-term deals.

Watson, with 4.36 40 speed and excellent body control, gives Mahomes a vertical weapon with size and speed to separate from defenders. Watson was also used in a variety of ways in college and has proven he can produce taking handoffs from the backfield, working on screens or simply posting up defenders in the red zone.

Watson has one of the most unique skill sets in the entire class. Watching coach Andy Reid and Mahomes put those traits to use would be a blast for football fans.


Round 2, No. 50 (via MIA): Drake Jackson, DE, USC
The Chiefs restructured the contract of Frank Clark to keep their top pass-rusher, but the spot opposite him has been a revolving door of stop-gap veterans since draft day misses on Breeland Speaks (2018) and Tanoh Kpassagnon (2017). This is the year to fill that need permanently.

Jackson had a red-hot start to the 2021 season before slowing down as the season wore on, finishing with five sacks. His ability to win with speed at 254 pounds is exactly what defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo needs.

Jackson's profile as a 4-3 defensive end with upside makes sense for Kansas City.


Round 2, No. 62: Phidarian Mathis, DT, Alabama
Much like defensive end, the Chiefs have struggled to find a solution next to star defensive tackle Chris Jones. In Round 2, addressing the defensive line becomes the priority with a stout 6-foot-4 and 312-pound tackle who can not only stuff gaps but get to the quarterback.

Mathis started two seasons at Alabama while showing he has power in the run game and uses his length exceptionally well in both the A and B gaps. He's raw as a pass-rusher, but Kansas City needs his run-stuffing ability on Day 1.


Round 3, No. 94: Jeremy Ruckert, TE, Ohio State
Ruckert is one of my favorite tight end prospects in the class, and a player who is flying under the radar as he started just one season in college. The fit with Ruckert here is perfect, as he's experienced as an inline tight end and as a run blocker -- something Ohio State demands of its tight ends. He's also a soft-handed receiver (26 catches in 2021) and has proven himself as a red zone target.

An ascending prospect who I believe will be a better pro than college player, Ruckert would be in no rush to produce in the Chiefs' offense but could be the replacement for future Hall of Famer Travis Kelce.

Jeremy Ruckert's best college momentsCheck out the best highlights that contributed to a stellar college career for Ohio State's Jeremy Ruckert.

Round 3, No. 103 (comp pick): Tariq Woolen, CB, UT-San Antonio
Speed and length in the secondary is a must, and the 6-foot-4 Woolen would bring that to the Kansas City secondary.

He posted amazing numbers at the NFL combine, including a 4.26 40 and a 42-inch vertical jump. That'll turn heads and would excite a Kansas City defensive staff that loves players with rare measurables in the past such as L'Jarius Sneed.

Woolen profiles best as an outside cornerback, but his length makes him a candidate to play multiple positions. He was a wide receiver his first two years of college and needs time to develop, but he has a high ceiling.


Round 4, No. 121 (via MIA): Zach Tom, OL, Wake Forest
A versatile and experienced offensive lineman, Tom won postseason awards at both center and offensive tackle in the ACC.

The Chiefs are set at center with Humphrey, but the right tackle position has been a question mark since Mitchell Schwartz went down during the 2020 season. Tom has the agility and balance to play in the Chiefs' zone blocking scheme. He also has the poise and instincts to get on the field earlier than expected as a midround pick.

There will be questions about his best NFL position due to limited size (6-foot-4, 304 pounds), but his value as a swing lineman is hard to pass up on Day 3 of the draft.


Round 4, No. 135: Jerome Ford, RB, Cincinnati
Watching the Chiefs' offense last season, it was notable how badly they needed speed at the running back position -- which is why we saw Jerick McKinnon have some late-season success.

With McKinnon gone, and even after adding free agent Ronald Jones II, speed should be a priority addition. Ford brings that slasher speed with solid hands out of the backfield. And if Jones struggles, Ford would be waiting in the wings to not only provide depth in 2022 but over the next three years, too.


Round 7, No. 233 (via MIN): Jack Jones, CB, Arizona State
In this mock draft, the Chiefs have now used three selections on improving the secondary -- which speaks to the lack of talent on the depth chart and just how important depth is at cornerback given the quarterback and wide receiver talent that exists in the AFC West.

Jones had a fantastic week at the 2022 Shrine Game and started to get his name on the map. A 4.51 40 at the combine didn't help his cause, but his tape shows a feisty cover corner who could develop into a valuable third or fourth cornerback if he can overcome his lack of elite size (5-foot-11, 177 pounds).



Round 7, No. 243 (via LV/NE): Smoke Monday, S, Auburn
Not only does Monday have one of the best names in the 2022 class, but he's also an intriguing all-around safety prospect. A two-year starter at Auburn, Monday has the versatility in the secondary the Chiefs tend to crave. Over the course of his career, he lined up at slot cornerback, free safety and box safety while also adding big plays on special teams.

In Round 7, every team is looking for depth at a position group, impact special teams players and high-character/high-effort players. Monday checks those boxes.


Round 7, No. 251: Tyshaun James, WR, Central Connecticut
Let's take a flier on a speedster whose measurables are turning heads. The 6-foot and 212-pound James posted "wow" numbers at his pro day, running a 4.49 40, but most importantly a 2.53-second 20-yard split and a 10-foot-11 broad jump. Those numbers might not mean much, but to scouts they show a player's explosiveness (broad jump) and his acceleration (20-yard split).

In Round 7, evaluators will bet on those numbers, especially with a quarterback such as Mahomes who can elevate the talent around him.


Round 7, No. 259 (comp pick): Jalen Wydermyer, TE, Texas A&M
And finally, here's another pick at tight end, trying to find a potential steal. A year ago, Wydermyer was talked about as a potential top-50 pick before he had an odd pre-draft cycle this spring.


At 6-foot-4 and 255 pounds, Wydermyer looks like an ideal "F" tight end on tape with agility and speed. But his testing times -- a 5.02 40, 25.5-inch vertical jump and a 9-foot-1 broad jump -- simply don't match up with what he put on tape at Texas A&M.


For Wydermyer, the testing times make him close to undraftable. For Kansas City, taking the chance on a productive college player whose numbers don't match the tape is a risk worth taking this late.


Adam Teicher's take
This draft would cover some much-needed ground for the Chiefs. I'd have to think they would be happy with this haul.

The secondary is due for a refresh after the Chiefs lost long-time regulars in Mathieu, Ward and Daniel Sorensen. Hill and Woolen are good places to continue this effort that began in free agency with the signing of Justin Reid. I also like the idea of throwing numbers at the problem in later rounds. Watson, coming from the FCS level, can't be reasonably expected to become the No. 1 wide receiver as a rookie, but he would eventually need to step into that role.

I'm nervous about a couple of defensive linemen in the second round, only because Tanoh Kpassagnon and Breeland Speaks were second-round choices, too. If even one of those players had worked out as the Chiefs had hoped, they'd be a lot better off at this point.

[oldman]

The reason I went with Hill over a WR is we're going to need some S/CB help. I just don't trust Thornhill and Bush and Key don't instill a lot of confidence. Our AFC rivals need to respect our secondary. Our other pick should be for a DE. Yeah, yeah WR1 --those can be had in rounds 2-3. Juju, MVS, and Hardman are going to get most of the balls this year, and WR4-6 are ST/targets of last resort guys.

Why not Smoke in the 7th? He could be fun and if/when he lays out some WR -----

[The Franchise]

Originally Posted by oldman

The reason I went with Hill over a WR is we're going to need some S/CB help. I just don't trust Thornhill and Bush and Key don't instill a lot of confidence. Our AFC rivals need to respect our secondary. Our other pick should be for a DE. Yeah, yeah WR1 --those can be had in rounds 2-3. Juju, MVS, and Hardman are going to get most of the balls this year, and WR4-6 are ST/targets of last resort guys.

Why not Smoke in the 7th? He could be fun and if/when he lays out some WR -----

Why are you completely forgetting that we signed Justin Reid?

[RunKC]

Originally Posted by The Franchise

Two TEs but you draft one DE and he doesn’t fit our system?

Teicher has no clue what the **** he’s doing.

I think it depends on how they feel about Josh Kaindoh. I remember listening to the presser about him and how excited they were to get a player like him.

No idea but you figure they want to give him some play time this year. Maybe they draft only one DE and have Clark, Kaindoh and a 1st rd rookie with a vet like Ingram in the rotation?

[oldman]

Originally Posted by The Franchise

Why are you completely forgetting that we signed Justin Reid?

I'm not forgetting him at all. But when your backup safeties are JAGs and Thornhill hasn't fully recovered, you have to worry a bit.

[Simply Red]

I'm not a fan of this draft.

[Simply Red]

INAFOTD!!

[Chiefshrink]

As IF ESPN really knows anything about our small market Chiefs.

[Chris Meck]

It's not all that bad, really, other than the TE's, and you could make a case for taking one in the 3rd.

Early for Watson maybe, but then again, maybe not-there's a lot of buzz there. Hill is a freakish athlete with a lot of versatility; think of a little bigger and much, much faster Matheiu. Drake Jackson and Mathis would go a long way towards shoring up the D-line. I'd prefer some other DE candidates maybe but that's about right from the mocks I've run. I like Ford but doubt he lasts until that late, probably have to take him late in the 3rd. I'd like to see a second WR in there somewhere in the middle rounds or at LEAST like a Bo Melton in the 7th.

[KChiefs1]

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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[bowener]

Round 7, No. 251: Tyshaun James, WR, Central Connecticut
Let's take a flier on a speedster whose measurables are turning heads. The 6-foot and 212-pound James posted "wow" numbers at his pro day, running a 4.49 40, but most importantly a 2.53-second 20-yard split and a 10-foot-11 broad jump. Those numbers might not mean much, but to scouts they show a player's explosiveness (broad jump) and his acceleration (20-yard split).

In Round 7, evaluators will bet on those numbers, especially with a quarterback such as Mahomes who can elevate the talent around him.

Damn, those are nearly identical numbers to Tyreek. For reference, Tyreek ran a 2.51 20-yard split and a broad jump of 10'9". James' broad jump would have ranked 6th at the combine. His 3-cone of 6.97 would have ranked third. And his bench would have ranked first with 22.

I hope we take a chance on this kid if he is there at 251.

[htismaqe]

Most of these mocks are lazy and shitty as a result...

[Rausch]

Our perfect draft would be trading up far enough to take Jermaine Johnson, using the 2nd first round pick to trade up to 20 and take Wyatt, take the lower 2nd and trade up again for Cam Thomas. Boom. Defensive line rebuilt. Resign Ingram and all done.

You filthy offense homers can take your WR's in the 3rd or 4th round...

[Couch-Potato]

I prefer a combo of ESPN's "Perfect Chiefs Mock" and their latest "7-Rd NFL Mock":

DE Mafe
WR Dotson
DE Ojabo
DT Mathis
LB Anderson
CB Woolen
OT Zach Tom
RB Strong or Ford
S Monday
DE Moon
WR Rambo
CB Jobe

[oldman]

All I needed to know about Nate Taylor came from this "insight": Nate Taylor: The Chiefs may not keep the 29th pick. No, no, no, you KEEP #29 and, if there's a trade, it's #30!!

[Red Dawg]

Shit mock. Taking a WR over a DE in round one is stupid.