The season isn’t even close to being over yet, but planning for the future is what keeps an NFL team successful for years to come. Here is my take on what the Chiefs should look for once draft season rolls around.
As the team on the field is getting ready to make a run toward another Super Bowl, it is time for us to begin to take a look at some players that the Chiefs could potentially take in the NFL draft. Now, draft season is a ways away, but it is never too early to start looking at prospects so here is my first mock of the year.
32. Rashawn Slater OL Northwestern
Slater is a guy who should be on the Chiefs’ radar and is a guy who I have been scouting for a while now. He played left tackle at Northwestern, but his size has him pinned more as an interior player. I love his range and athletic ability as well as his nasty streak. He could line up at Guard and if he can snap he could be a future all-pro at center. His footwork is immaculate, and he uses excellent leverage. The only thing that worries me is he doesn’t have the longest arms in the world but he should be able to make up for that with his anchor.
64. Israel Mukuamu CB South Carolina
A big corner with long arms, he seems to fit Spag’s mold for what he likes in a CB. He likes to get physical with wideouts at the line of scrimmage, but he can also run in space and has a knack for finding the football. He has above-average closing speed, but he makes up for it with his arm length. At the NFL level, he will have to add size.
95. Sage Surrat WR Wake Forrest
With the likely departure of both Sammy Watkins and Demarcus Robinson on the horizon, the Chiefs will likely want to bolster the receiving corp with depth in this draft. Surrat could fill in for the role of each with his departure. His frame and size make him a mismatch and he plays physically against smaller cornerbacks. He is a solid possession receiver to pick up in the mid-rounds.
133. Caden Sterns S Texas
I really like this pick for the Chiefs in the mid-round. The safety position is important for KC in Steve Spagnuolo’s 4-2-5 look that he likes to employ frequently and Sterns would be a great fit. He has a nose for the ball as well as being a willing tackler. He could come in and serve as a replacement for Daniel Sorensen or Tyrann Mathieu when each of their contracts are up.
172. Phidarian Mathis DT Alabama
Mathis is built like a brick house and could provide excellent depth for the Chiefs on run stop downs. He is prototypical of what Spag’s would look for in a DT. He can play two-gap run defense and would be able to spell Derrick Nnadi as a one technique as well as Chris Jones as a three-technique.
173. Justyn Ross Clemson
Ross could be great for added depth at the receiver position and has big-play potential when on the field. Soft hands and long arms let him high point the football over smaller corners, but he also has a level of shiftiness in the open field that makes him elusive to tackle.
177. Cary Angeline TE North Carolina State
A massive frame for Angeline helped him rack up touchdowns and catches at NC State, and he could be a solid TE2 in KC for a while. With his frame, he needs to get better at blocking to help spell Travis Kelce but his efforts would be rewarded in the red zone where Andy Reid could find a way to utilize him.
203. Justin Rice LB Arkansas State
Rice is a tough, smart, and physical football player. He would be used primarily on special teams and serve as a backup.
