Mock 3/25/2024

[kccrow]

I haven't done a mock in a week or three so here's my highly opinionated version of what I feel Veach may do with the remainder of Free Agency and the draft.

Re-sign LT Donovan Smith for 3y/51.0m w/18.0m SB and 5.0m RB in each of 2025/2026. Cap hits: 12.0/17.0/22.0
I can see a world where Smith should get an extension similar to that of Buffalo's Dion Dawkins, so that's what I'm prescribing here. Smith turns 31 during the season and this is, essentially, a 2-year deal. Keep the LT position out of flux for a bit while working on developing an LTotF, which Wanya Morris clearly is not.

Re-sign DE Mike Danna for 1y/3.5m w/1.5m SB
Danna has been a solid, yet unspectacular base end in this defense and would be great to have around another season with Omenihu hobbled to start and the Chiefs not having a firm grasp on what they have with FAU. The fact that Danna is unsigned at this point probably means he doesn't have quite the value originally though. Some slightly more productive players have received about 6 per. Teams probably think he is about maxed, and I think he is too.

Sign LB Mykal Walker (PIT) for 1y/1.365m
Walker was productive as a starter in Atlanta in 2022 with 107 tackles and then they abruptly waived him following an injury in training camp before this season. He would bounce around a couple of practice squads before landing in Pittsburgh and starting 5 games at the end of the season for them. He's not ultra-fast but is a solid player who can be a nice rotational, 4th guy that can find starters reps if needed.

Sign RB Matt Brieda (NYG) for 1y/1.96m
Reid likes his fast, jitterbug backs and Brieda is exactly that with 4.38 speed and 6.85 second 3-cone. He's a vet who's been around and can fill the void as a change of pace and receiving back that McKinnon vacates.

Sign QB Carson Wentz (LAR) for 2y/4.0m w/1.0m SB
The Chiefs need a competent backup that can actually take them places if needed and Gabbert isn't it. Wentz at least gives you some confidence should he be called upon much like Chad Henne was.

Draft

1-032: WR Xavier Worthy, Texas (5'11" 165)
Andy Reid loves versatility and speed and Worthy has it in spades. No matter my personal thoughts, this is the guy I think Andy will target in the draft, and it very well could mean using draft capital from 2025 to move up for him, which is more likely than not IMO. In any event, I'm sticking Worthy in here as the top pick for KC.

2-064: TE Theo Johnson, Penn State (6'6" 259)
Not having Travis Kelce at any point would send shock waves through this offense and last year had to have put at least a small scare into the club. Johnson is a prototype from a height/weight/speed perspective with an identical profile to Jimmy Graham. Johnson shows the ability to threaten the seams and a year under Travis would go a long way towards improving his ability to sit in the soft spots in zone. He's what you want from your Y which is really hard to pass on. This may feel early but Kelce was pick 63 in 2013.

3-095: CB Andru Phillips, Kentucky (5'11" 190)
It seems like Veach goes through all drafts thinking about DBs and he's done a masterful job so far. While I think McDuffie moves outside and Nazeeh Johnson plays the nickel this year, I don't see Veach remaining comfortable with the current room should a starter go down as Watson has been very mediocre and both Nic Jones and Ekow Boye-Doe are unproven. Phillips is strong in press and tight man coverage and tackles like a safety, much the same as Sneed. In fact, aside from pure top-end speed, I see them as similar prospects coming out of college.

4-132: DT Jaden Crumedy, Mississippi State (6'4" 301)
I may be quite a bit higher on Crumedy than some but I like his snap quickness and his speed to power. He shows a great closing burst once he finds the ball carrier. I think Crumedy will be a really nice player once he learns to use his hands better and get them into the blocker more quickly. I think he'll be better in a one-gap front where he doesn't have to hold back and read.

5-159: WR Ainias Smith, Texas A&M (5'9" 190)
I'll be clear on this thought, he's your slot/gadget/special teams guy that we've seen over and over again with Reid. I love Smith's quickness and agility in the open field. He runs hard and is a difficult tackle. He can even take positive snaps out of the backfield as an RB. He's basically the replacement for Hardman/James.

5-173: LT Tylan Grable, UCF (6'6" 306, 33-5/8" arms)
The length, foot speed, and overall athleticism are there for Grable but he's still learning the position and needs some seasoning. Grable needs to work on his overall positioning, including his base, angles to block assignments, hands, and timing as all are below starting caliber. A team that has patience could get a real treat with a year or two of development.

7-221: RB Jase McClellan, Alabama (5'10" 221)
McClellan is the type of back that would make Andy Reid proud as he does everything pretty well, including pass blocking and catching the football. If McClellan had homerun-hitting speed, he'd probably be a 3rd or 4th rounder. That said, he has adequate speed though you'd like to see a little more burst on inside runs. I think this is a kid that can be productive on 3rd down for you right away.

Roster

QB: P. Mahomes, C. Wentz
RB: I. Pacheco, M. Brieda, J. McClellan, L. Perine
WR: R. Rice, H. Brown, X. Worthy, J. Watson, A. Smith, S. Moore, K. Toney
TE: T. Kelce, N. Gray, T. Johnson, I. Smith
LT: D. Smith, T. Grable
LG: J. Thuney, W. Morris
OC: C. Humphrey, M. Caliendo
RG: T. Smith
RT: J. Taylor, L. Niang
DE: G. Karlaftis, M. Herring, C. Omenihu(*IR)
DT: J. Jones, J. Crumedy, T. Wharton, M. Dickerson
NT: D. Nnadi, M. Pennel, I. Buggs, N. Ferrell
DE: M. Danna, F. Anudike-Uzomah, B. Thompson
LB: N. Bolton, L. Chenal, D. Tranquill, M. Walker, C. Jones
CB: T. McDuffie, J. Williams, A. Phillips, J. Watson, N. Jones, N. Johnson
DB: J. Reid, B. Cook, C. Conner, D. Bush
ST: H. Butker, M. Araiza, J. Winchester