KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Despite being the Super Bowl champions, the Kansas City Chiefs have plenty of positions where they can improve in the 2020 NFL Draft.
Placing the franchise tag on defensive tackle Chris Jones left the front office with limited resources for free agency from a salary-cap perspective.
But the Chiefs’ strategy to bring back as many players from last season seems sound given the challenges created by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Teams won’t get as much offseason preparation, coaches won’t get as much time for face-to-face instruction, players won’t get as many reps in their respective systems.
So, what are the Chiefs’ biggest positional needs? Outside of quarterback and tight end, with the addition of Ricky Seals-Jones, there’s room to improve across the board.
The most glaring areas are linebacker, cornerback, interior offensive line and depth at running back, but Kansas City could use depth on the edge, a succession plan for Jones on the defensive interior, a wide receiver (with Sammy Watkins and Demarcus Robinson only returning on one-year deals), a developmental offensive tackle and depth at safety with Juan Thornhill recovering from a late-season ACL tear and Jordan Lucas moving on.
The Chiefs have enough needs and the draft has enough quality in the first round rounds, trading down and collecting picks wouldn’t be a bad strategy.
Then again, when you’re already the champs, a few surgical additions with the five picks Kansas City enters the draft with should be more than enough to reload for another championship run — after all, Patrick Mahomes is still the quarterback.
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Here are my picks and other potential options that make sense for the Chiefs:
Round 1 (No. 32 overall) — CB Jeff Gladney, TCU
Gladney’s stock is rising, so he may not last all the way to the last pick Thursday night. He played boundary corner for the Horned Frogs, but also lined up some in the slot.
His versatility and scheme-flexibility combined with his instincts should help him adjust quickly to the NFL.
Gladney is fluid and technically sound in man coverage, but his instincts become even more apparent in zone coverage.
If the top corners are gone, trading down and collecting an extra pick or two wouldn’t be a bad option either, especially if there are some pro-ready receivers still available in the early to mid-second round range.
But if one of the draft’s top linebackers, LSU’s Patrick Queen or Oklahoma’s Kenneth Murray, slide to the end of the first round, the Chiefs should happily turn in that card.
There’s a short list of other players — maybe LSU defensive end K’Lavon Chaisson or Louisville tackle Mekhi Becton,if his flagged drug test at the NFL Combine puts him in freefall — I wouldn’t mind seeing the Chiefs draft here.
Round 2 (63) — RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire, LSU
This seems to be the sweet spot for a running back with Wisconsin’s Jonathan Taylor or Ohio State’s J.K. Dobbins as possibilities along with Edwards-Helaire, depending on how the board falls.
Edwards-Helaire played in a pro scheme at LSU, which used him all over the field. He’s tough to tackle and usually makes the first guy miss with great feet, surprising power and good balance.
With the Tigers, Edwards-Helaire ran an extensive route tree and showed good hands and open-field awareness.
If no running backs worthy of a second-round grade are available and the Chiefs missed on a corner in the first round, cornerback value also should be high at this spot with Mississippi State’s Cameron Dantzler, Louisiana Tech’s Amik Robertson or Virginia’s Bryce Hall potentially available.
Defensive line also could make sense, if Michigan’s Josh Uche or Alabama’s Terrell Lewis are sitting there.
Round 3 (96) — LB Akeem Davis-Gaither, Appalachian State
Davis-Gaither can cover, he’s adept at knifing through blocks and fast enough to get sideline to sideline as needed. As a bonus, he can rush the passer.
Coming off surgery to repair a stress fracture in his foot brings a moment’s pause, because his game is based on speed, but Davis-Gaithers could be the weakside linebacker who isn’t a complete coverage liability Steve Spagnuolo’s defense needs.
It’s also possible the Chiefs will roll the dice and see what running backs fall to the end of the third round, given the way teams have devalued the position in recent years.
The third round also may be a spot where the Chiefs address the interior offensive line if there’s a prospect they covet — perhaps Wisconsin’s Tyler Biadasz, Temple’s Matt Hennessy and Kentucky’s Logan Stenberg fall into that category — who won’t last another 42 picks.
Round 4 (138). OG Ben Bredeson, Michigan
This looks like the sweet spot for quality interior offensive line help. Bredeson or Oregon’s Shane Lemieux would be nice fits here.
Depending on how the previous picks unfolded and what needs remain to be addressed, maybe the Chiefs will get lucky and a player like Wyoming middle linebacker Logan Wilson will be available.
Defensive tackle also could be an option, if the Chiefs like someone along the lines of North Carolina’s Jason Strowbridge or Baylor’s James Lynch and don’t think that player will last until the fifth round.
A sliding wide receiver also wouldn’t be a bad option.
Round 5 (177). WR Quez Watkins, Southern Mississippi
At this point in the draft, so much depends on what needs have been addressed already and the value available.
If the Chiefs haven’t taken a running back, Vanderbilt’s Ke’Shawn Vaughn would make sense.
If corner remains a need, maybe the Chiefs look to Georgia Southern’s Kindle Vildor.
Perhaps the Chiefs will fall in love with Georgia safety J.R. Reed.
Based on my previous picks, I think it comes down to receiver or defensive line here. Strowbridge or Utah’s Leki Fotu would be fine picks at this spot, but Watkins has the speed and ball-tracking ability to flourish with Mahomes throwing to him.
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