KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The 2019 NFL Draft is a little over a week away and the Kansas City Chiefs have four picks in the top 100.
This is a big draft for general manager Brett Veach, who has the opportunity to prove his eye for talent and show how his plan can get the Chiefs to their ultimate goal.
This mock draft is based on best fit rather than attempting to be correct. That mock draft will come next week.
With that in mind, here's a look at the talent the Chiefs could collect in the draft:
ADDITIONAL NFL DRAFT COVERAGE
[April 10 — Nick Jacobs: Best running back fits]
[April 11 — Nick Jacobs: Best wide receiver fits]
[April 12 — Nick Jacobs: Best tight end fits]
[April 15 — Nick Jacobs: Best interior offensive line fits]
[April 16 — Nick Jacobs: Best offensive tackle fits]
[April 17 — Nick Jacobs: Best edge rusher fits]
[Today — Nick Jacobs: Seven-round Chiefs mock draft, v 1.0]
[April 18 — Nick Jacobs: best defensive tackle fits]
[April 19 — Nick Jacobs: First-round mock draft]
[April 19 — Nick Jacobs: Best linebacker fits]
[April 22 — Nick Jacobs: Best cornerback fits]
NICK JACOBS' 2019 CHIEFS SEVEN-ROUND MOCK DRAFT, v1.0
First round (No. 29): DE Clelin Ferrell, Clemson
The Chiefs are able to land a pass rusher for their rotation off the right side. Ferrell is the best edge rusher on the board after Mississippi State's Montez Sweat and would shine in defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo’s system with his versatility.
Second round (No. 61 overall): SS Amani Hooker, Iowa
Hooker provides the Chiefs will a reliable presence in run support. He has great size for a strong safety without compromising his speed. Hooker understands angles in pursuit and coverage with the ability to adjust immediately and always finds a way to keep leverage.
Second round (No. 63): CB Amani Oruwariye, Penn State
Oruwariye would give the Chiefs a long-armed corner with big upside. He trusts his technique, discipline and doesn’t panic plus he has good speed and a physical attitude to go with it. The Chiefs will have added some physical presence to the secondary under this scenario.
Third round (No. 92 overall): DT Trysten Hill, Central Florida
This is a spot where the Chiefs could go running back, wide receiver or secondary again, but the value is too good to pass up here. Hill has one of the best combinations of pad level, quick feet and power in this draft. He would be a great rotational presence to pair with Chris Jones on passing downs.
Fifth round (No. 167 overall): TE Dax Raymond, Utah State
Raymond is the type of athletic tight end the Chiefs have been trying to pair with Travis Kelce during Andy Reid’s tenure here. His speed is a mismatch for linebackers and safeties. He finds voids in coverage well and would give Patrick Mahomes another chain-moving mismatch.
Sixth round (No. 201 overall): RB Devine Ozibgo, Nebraska
Ozigbo likely will go somewhere between the fourth and sixth rounds, depending on how teams grade him. He is a powerful running back who gives the Chiefs a physical presence for shotgun runs again after Kareem Hunt’s dismissal. Ozigbo is a powerful runner with impressive balance on his cuts as he quickly reaches top speed.
Sixth round (No. 214 overall): WR Hunter Renfrow, Clemson
Renfrow is a savvy route runner from the slot who just needs a good position coach to help him with the minor technique issues in his game. The former Tigers star is a relentless worker and would provide serious value in the sixth round.
Seventh round (No. 216 overall): LB Emeke Egbule, Houston
Egbule is the perfect size for a developmental strong-side linebacker. He has the athletic ability to contribute immediately on special teams, and new linebackers coach Matt House could help mold Egbule into a future starter at the "Sam" position.
Veach has put the Chiefs in a position to be flexible. The team doesn’t need to reach on any position in the draft and can truly take the best value on the board outside of quarterback without necessarily being wrong.
Under this draft scenario, the Chiefs are able to address needs, create instant impact and find good value to contribute toward a possible Super Bowl run.
You can listen to the "4th and 1" podcast with Tod Palmer and Nick Jacobs on iTunes, Stitcher , Spotify , and TuneIn. You can also find Jacobs on twitter @Jacobs71.
