(As a disclaimer, I wrote this up last week, I just didn't publish it yet, so some Pro Day performances have since occurred.)
In this edition of “Dad Draft,” I approach the draft from the perspective of another team who basically has it all. But, most importantly, they have the coach who maximizes the best parts of a players’ game instead of seeing largely what they can’t do. Most coaches who saw a fast, undersized, non-major program running back with character concerns passed without worry. This guy grabbed him, developed him, and now has his QB throw super deep where no one can keep up, or runs jet sweeps, and employs short, explosive routes where the guy can make room. Oh, and that QB? Another “project” player now considered best at the position.
Welcome to the Kansas City Chiefs.
I really wanted to take this draft and trade it for almost all future picks. After the first wave of free agency, KC has addressed most of their obvious holes, and is now looking for just a hit or two from this years draft. They have a lot of guys to pay from their sustained success, and though the bell ain’t tolling yet, the bill will come due. They will need consistent contribution from draft classes really starting next year, but since they could need some development, I determined to keep this draft class. Also, KC had some depth issues exposed last year (especially on the line at the end of the year). Though they signed a bunch of guys there, getting some young guys in to become future starters will be a huge benefit. Let’s go!
Round 1
I actually found a trade partner for this one. Immediately getting three day 2 picks plus three day 3 picks was hard to ignore, so I grabbed it. That being said, Grabbing hogs up front is a big need. Sam Cosmi is a giant at tackle, with athleticism to spare. His pro day was spectacular, and he only allowed a pressure rate of 2.17%, half the rate of Dillon Radunz who played in the FCS and fewer pressures than Rashawn Slater, though Texas is a far more pass happy team. Teven Jenkins out of OK State was another big guy out at tackle who could fit in well with KC, or versatile OL prospect Alijah Vera-Tucker from USC. Both are strong enough and athletic enough to pass block , but also possess the grit and aggression for success as a run blocker.
The likelihood is there are too many quality tackles, so guys are gonna be falling. PFF has ten offensive line players in their top 40. There are also good, strong prospects later on, so KC may opt to go a different route here. Sammy Watkins has been rather underwhelming as a #2 receiver, and while there are a lot of gadget players, no one is a true #2 receiver behind Hill (though Kelce at TE is the real #1 receiver, with Hill as the playmaker, or #1B). Going receiver here makes some sense. After all, KC drafted an RB last year here; let’s amp up the horse power on this thing! Kadarius Toney could be phenomenal here. He has speed, strength, and is a proven weapon on a team where defenses are forced to focus on the tight end. While he might have some size concerns as an outside weapon, and he dropped about everything during one-on-ones at the Senior Bowl, he had a good catch rate for his career as well as breaking an obscene 32 tackles on 80 receptions since 2019. Outstanding testing would slot him here. Other wise, LSU’s Terrace Marshall Jr. fits. He has height, speed, and youth. The guy excelled at LSU even after Chase opted out, and Burrow, Jefferson, and CEH left for the draft. This may also be early, though, as WR has a definite tier 1 followed by a logjammed tier 2.
Round 2
Because I traded my day 1 pick in the mock, I was able to grab Zaven Collins here. I highlighted him in my Green Bay mock, but let me reiterate some stuff here. A guy with this much size should not be this good in coverage. He moves well, anticipates zones and the routes being run behind him, clogs lanes, watches the QB, and blitzes phenomenally. He hits with authority, typically wraps up, and if he develops a talent to shed blockers better, look out. He would be able to hold the MLB spot for Spagnuolo for a decade plus.
Also players to look for would be cornerbacks. Richie Grant, Tyson Campbell, or Eric Stokes. Tyson Campbell has some good length to him, but Stokes is blazing fast (running multiple electric timed sub 4.3s this off season). Any of these players have the ability to hold the outside or man the slot. There may be some concerns with workout warrior for Stokes, but he improved immensely as a player since getting to Athens and really has made a lot of good plays on the ball.
If these plays don’t tickle your fancy, let’s grab a different Georgia player at a position of need. Azeez Ojulari plays EDGE, and has the length, speed, and strength to excel. He also has some ability to stack and shed as a run defender, and even drop into coverage a bit, so he isn’t a one trick pony. Then again, after his testing day, he may not be available even when the Chiefs pick in round 1.
Round 3
Again, even with Reinforcements from Joe Thuney and Kyle Long, I want there to be more bodies in front of Mahomes. James Hudson is a tackle prospect with a good physical presence. He isn’t overly tall at 6’4”, and his arms or 33” which isn’t great, but he is low enough to get leverage with that arm length. He played exceptionally for the Bear Cats this past year, and has risen well up the boards.
Another good weapon for Mahomes could be Tylan Wallace. Wallace has come back from injury and created some great tape for scouts. He has fantastic arm length and good hands for someone under 6 foot, and is just under 200lbs, so he isn’t a stick. His explosive plays last year carried the Cowboys.
Round 4
A few guys I mentioned on the Packers who would be amazing here would be Spencer Brown, Amari Rodgers, or Ben Cleveland. So let’s discuss someone new; Dylan Moses. I haven’t seen him go early in these mock drafts, and I was able to get him in the 4th, alongside Josh Myers. Moses slid down boards after a boring year lacking splash plays, likely as he continued to return to form after a torn ACL. He could be a great value pick, as he has the size, athleticism, and dedication you want from a thumper in the middle.
Josh Myers is explosive out of his stance, is strong, and has experience at Guard and Center. He doesn’t work the second level with ease, but he is a great collegiate center. Powerful and quick centers are great. Getting one in day 3 is even better.
Round 5
CEH is good, but let’s grab a running back. Kylin Hill out of Mississippi State has some danged good size at 5’10”, 215lbs. His arms aren’t short at 31”, and he has near 10” hands. That is a physical body. He also has suddenness, violence, and aggression in his runs. His speed on longer runs can put distance between him and defenders. He generated a bunch of yardage against SEC defenses, even without a consistent passing game needing the defenses attention. Kansas City has excelled with late round RBs before, and pairing Hill with CEH would save hits and damage to the 1st rounder without a noticeable drop off in on field talent.
Round 6
Grabbing a couple more edge players here makes sense. Daelin Hayes and Malik Herring are two prospects to watch for KC. Hayes, coming out of Notre Dame, has tweener size, but a good deal of athleticism as well. While he isn’t a great run defender due to his size, he at least is lane disciplined and clogs lanes. He can drop back in coverage, and could benefit from a 15-25lbs weight loss to become a more mobile outside backer/EDGE player unless you want him rushing the passer 85% of the time. Really more of a pass rushing D End at his size. Herring, yet another Georgia player, generated 41 pressures in 2019, but his stat sheet isn’t stuffed. He wreaks havoc, but doesn’t tend to get to the ball most plays. A torn ACL at the Senior bowl will drop him further as he will be untested and his rookie season is likely already over.
Round 7
Given how Georgia has only had sporadic success over the years, they sure have come on strong the last couple seasons. Which brings yet another Georgia player up here. Safety Mark Webb demonstrated more than adequate speed for the position with a 4.5 40, but showed some great explosion with an 11’4” broad jump. Webb is 6’1” and 210lbs, so good size with some great numbers. Sticking with safety, Damar Hamlin from Pitt may be good. He is a touch smaller than Webb and slower in testing. But Hamlin has better game tape, so either in round 7 makes sense.
If KC wants to solidify their linebackers, maybe grabbing Derrik Barnes here makes sense. Barnes has operated a lot as a rush linebacker, but he has some great size at 6’4”, 245lbs, and he ran a 4.57 40 while putting up 29 reps on the bench and a 37 inch vertical. He generated some big plays at Purdue, hits hard, brings hit weight to the tackle, and shows versatility. He isn’t the best, most fluid, or fastest, but that is why he is here in round 7 for me. However, the testing would honestly push him a up a round for me. I really did not expect him to test this well.
1: Sam Cosmi (OT, Texas)
2: Richie Grant (CB, UCF)
3: James Hudson (OT, Cincinnati)
4: Dylan Moses (LB, Alabama)
5: Kylin Hill (RB, MissSt)
6: Daelin Hayes (ND, Edge)
7: Mark Webb (S, Georgia)
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