Terez Paylor's Chiefs' Draft Needs

[Tribal Warfare]

My AFC draft needs series concludes with the AFC West, home of the Super Bowl champs and the three teams tasked with thwarting their attempt to "run it back":https://t.co/GBiQjeHqGP pic.twitter.com/VJIJqnBTsL

— Terez A. Paylor (@TerezPaylor) April 16, 2020

Positions needed: RB, G, C, LB, CB

Analysis: The defending Super Bowl champions head into 2020 with a motto of “run it back,” and the team’s offseason plan has reflected that. Kansas City re-signed several key players from its championship team, betting on continuity in a COVID-19-affected season as the Chiefs currently have everyone who played at least 57 percent of the snaps last season under contract for 2020. That doesn’t mean there isn’t room to strengthen the roster.

Offensively, the Chiefs are powered by an explosive offense guided by Mahomes, but there’s a need to bolster the interior of the line to grow with Mahomes and help protect him for the next decade. Beyond that, Super Bowl hero Damien Williams returns to man the running back position, but he’s in a contract year and the team could draft a young back and groom him to take the reins in 2021. Defensively, the Chiefs need second-level help — a sideline-to-sideline linebacker with skills in pass coverage could carve out an immediate role — while the cornerback position would also benefit from the infusion of a top-100 draft pick. And with Mahomes’ massive extension looming, don’t be surprised if Kansas City entertains a trade down in the first round in an attempt to stockpile more cost-controlled assets.

[frozenchief]

Originally Posted by Chiefnj2

Protect Mahomes at all costs. Interior OL in the first or second.

An excellent center who can anchor the line for the next 10 yeaRs would be an great first round pick. But, so would a LB who can anchor run coverage.

An RB that early is not worth it.

Geoff Schwartz on why: https://www.sbnation.com/nfl/2020/4/...ound-box-count

[OKchiefs]

Originally Posted by KCJake

No way. There's not a running back in this draft that's still gonna be on the board when the Chiefs pick that can walk through the door day one and be a significant improvement over Damien Williams. I'm all for drafting a running. For depth. Just not with our 1st round pick. There's gonna be DB's that we can take with our 32nd pick that can start for us week one. There's your immediate contributor

I'm not a fan of a RB as the best positional value and option in round 1, but this isn't true. Dobbins and/or Swift are very likely to be there at 32 and both offer an immediate upgrade over Williams as a 16 game, dependable every down back. An argument could be made for several others being an upgrade over Williams.

[duncan_idaho]

Re: competing with Damien Williams

Both Dobbins and Swift are better at staying healthy than Damien Williams

Swift catches the ball just as well. Dobbins shows the potential to be just as effective as a receiver.

Both Dobbins and Swift are better pure runners... Swift is incredibly shifty in the open field and has elite make-you-miss ability. Dobbins isn't quite as shifty but has more burst and is more physical. Both are better able to guy out yards up the middle than Williams.

Williams may have more pure speed, but he isn't effective at creating when there isn't much there.

Both would be Day 1 upgrades from Damien Williams... and let KC move to an early down back who still is a weapon in the pass game but is far more explosive and consistent running the ball.

The Chiefs' offense becomes a lot more consistent and unstoppable when it has a RB who can offer a little consistency running the football and especially when that RB can win 1x1 vs. LBs, CBs, and S in space as a receiver.

[Chris Meck]

we've reached the part of the offseason in which we argue to the teeth over tiny differences.

I think everyone agrees we'll take a RB somewhere. I think everyone agrees we'll take a LB somewhere, and a CB, and an OL.

I'm not going to throw an internet tantrum over which position where in the draft.

I will say this-Veach has told us, in his own words, that he likes RB's around 220 pounds. So IF you're thinking RB is top priority and maybe even with the first pick, you'd probably be smart to be looking at Veach's prototype as I doubt he'd "reach" with a first round pick.

Anything's possible of course.

[OrtonsPiercedTaint]

Last time I wanted a first round rb it was Trent Williams(Richardson, darn it). No trust me

[DrRyan]

As I have mentioned ad nauseam, it is a value proposition to me and will depend on how the draft board falls.

Option 1: R1 Murray/Queen/Epenesa R2 Igbinoghene/Johnson/RB that has fallen Dobbins/Akers/CEH R3 BPA ideally IOL/RB Zack Moss or similar/CB

Option 2: Swift/Taylor/Dobbins R2 BPA Igbinoghene/Johnson/Gay/Brooks/IOL R3 BPA IOL/LB/CB of what is left

I have a hard time seeing option 2 offering greater value than any combination of option 1. Veach has absolutely earned the trust to take WTF he wants. IMO if Murray or Queen are there you take them. They might both be gone by early 20s, one of the 2 might still be available at 32. If they are going RB early, I really hope they are able to move back from 32 and pick up another pick in the top 100. That would make RB as the first pick much more palatable. The drop off from top tier LB to second and third tier is far greater than RB.

[ForeverIowan]

Originally Posted by Chris Meck

we've reached the part of the offseason in which we argue to the teeth over tiny differences.

I think everyone agrees we'll take a RB somewhere. I think everyone agrees we'll take a LB somewhere, and a CB, and an OL.

I'm not going to throw an internet tantrum over which position where in the draft.

I will say this-Veach has told us, in his own words, that he likes RB's around 220 pounds. So IF you're thinking RB is top priority and maybe even with the first pick, you'd probably be smart to be looking at Veach's prototype as I doubt he'd "reach" with a first round pick.

Anything's possible of course.

That's a great point. JK Dobbins is the closest comparison to Kareem Hunt. Physical runner and pretty dang elite in pass pro. The kid from Utah (Moss) also pretty comparable if Veach is looking to go RB later in the draft.

[duncan_idaho]

Originally Posted by Chris Meck

we've reached the part of the offseason in which we argue to the teeth over tiny differences.

I think everyone agrees we'll take a RB somewhere. I think everyone agrees we'll take a LB somewhere, and a CB, and an OL.

I'm not going to throw an internet tantrum over which position where in the draft.

I will say this-Veach has told us, in his own words, that he likes RB's around 220 pounds. So IF you're thinking RB is top priority and maybe even with the first pick, you'd probably be smart to be looking at Veach's prototype as I doubt he'd "reach" with a first round pick.

Anything's possible of course.

Both Dobbins and Swift are 215-pound backs. I'd call that "around." I'm not going to jump up and down and hammer the table for them, but I think the value they offer at 32, depending on who else is available, is exciting.

Re: who they take (general comment, not directed at Meck), I think people need to be comfortable with the idea that they'll be a depth pick for year one with an eye on them becoming starters in years 2, 3, and 4.

An interior OL would have a good shot to start at C/LG. A RB would have a shot to start over Damien Williams (both due to Williams' injury history and the potential to be an upgrade). A LB would start at WLB or MLB, depending on what they do with Hitchens and who is available.

Every other position is likely going to be coming off the bench.

AJ Epenesa? They've got a lot invested at DE. He MIGHT start Day 1 over Okafor/Kpassagnon, but it's no guarantee.

Jeff Gladney? Maybe he pushes Ward or Breeland out and starts on the outside, but it's no guarantee. Same is true of all the other corners likely to be available unless they specifically take a slot guy with the plan of using HB more traditionally.

So I don't think the idea of "Day 1 impact" is as important to who they take in round 1 as many are making it out to be. There are a few spots where they might be able to get a guy who is 1) good value there; 2) likely to start right away, but most spots it's someone who is competing for a spot, at best.

[Buckweath]

I wish I could make some money off of those of you who think this team is going to draft a RB #32 overall. Anyone wanna take a bet?

This is not happening!

I could see a scenario where maybe just MAYBE they trade down from the #32 overall pick and draft a RB with their first pick. Still very unlikely.

Anyd Reid would literally tell you why would I draft a RB in the 1st round when I can draft one in the 2nd round or later and make him work in my system.

[Sassy Squatch]

Way too much smoke around Dobbins. If he's there's he's the pick.

[BleedingRed]

I really think we need a RB, just give us stability back at that position for the next couple of years.

[BleedingRed]

Originally Posted by Superturtle

Way too much smoke around Dobbins. If he's there's he's the pick.

I think so too, having a work horse to take some of the pressure of Mahomes (Not that you have to) will help protect him.

[smithandrew051]

Originally Posted by BleedingRed

I really think we need a RB, just give us stability back at that position for the next couple of years.

As long as we don’t give him a big second contract, I’m fine with this. Either a team friendly extension or trade for picks after 3-4 years.

[staylor26]

Originally Posted by Superturtle

Way too much smoke around Dobbins. If he's there's he's the pick.

What smoke? That we’ve interviewed with him? That’s all I’ve seen.

[kcclone]

The way this team is set up, they can pretty much draft at virtually any position (best available) outside of QB and it's a good strategy.

IOL, LB, CB are probably biggest needs, but if they draft a too good to pass up RB, DL or saftey, I won't complain.

Hell, even OT or WR will have value in the future, as soon as next year.