The Kansas City Chiefs don’t have a pick on Thursday, and that makes their other picks all that more important. Here is a look at who the Chiefs could come away with in the 2021 NFL Draft.
The 2021 NFL draft is here, and with it brings a chance for every team in the NFL to improve their roster, and their future. The Kansas City Chiefs traded their first-round pick as well as a third and fourth-round pick in order to acquire Orlando Brown Jr. In return, the team received Brown as well as an additional second-round pick. The move filled a huge hole at the left tackle spot and opened up the opportunity for the Chiefs to address other needs with their remaining six picks.
58. Jabril Cox LB LSU
Brett Veach mentioned three specific positions that the team was going to address in the offseason, offensive line, defensive line, and linebacker. The team made moves to rebuild the offensive line and signed Jarran Reed in free agency.
That leaves linebacker as the sole position that they have yet to address. Veach is a man of his word, and it seems that he can go full circle. Cox is an elite-level athlete and after graduate transferring to LSU from North Dakota State he displayed his skills in the national spotlight.
He excels with his fluid movement in coverage, but also has the firepower to play strong in the box. The Chiefs don’t desperately need a linebacker, but Cox would be the best player available and add another young player to the defensive core.
63. Landon Dickerson C Alabama
This pick might not seem realistic at first, but given the news that has come out about several teams being hesitant to take players based on the lack of medical reports makes it seem realistic that Dickerson could fall.
Dickerson would be a first-round pick if not for his troubling medical history. If teams are willing to let Dickerson fall that far then it would be a good decision for the Chiefs to go ahead and take him. The risk and reward are about equal in this situation.
Either he will be hurt his entire career, or he will have the potential to be a multiple-time All-Pro Player. He has the raw power, technique, and football IQ to play a long time in the NFL. This pick would be somewhat of a gamble, but for a 2nd round pick, it is worth it.
144. Patrick Jones II Edge Pitt
The Chiefs are still in the market for another edge rusher, and Patrick Jones is a great fit for the team and should be available at 145. Jones has the potential to be a solid starting-caliber defensive end in the NFL and has the traits Steve Spagnuolo wants in his edge setters. His motor runs hot, and he has a decent assortment of pass rush moves.
He has the power to bull rush, but also the quickness to bend the edge. In the run game, he plays assignment sound football and uses good leverage to win plays. The Chiefs are going to be looking for at least one more consistent edge player to add to their roster, and Jones has the potential to be a starter by midseason of his rookie year.
175. Bryce Thompson CB Tennessee
Thompson can be a good depth player for the Chiefs, and one with enough athletic ability that he could eventually work his way into a starting role in Kansas City. His two most impressive traits are his ability to tackle, and his nose for the football.
Eight career interceptions highlight his play-making ability. He would provide good depth on special teams, and even has some experience returning kicks. Eventually, with his ability, he could put himself in a position to compete for a role as a starter, but at the very least he will be a solid depth presence and special teamer.
181. Simi Fehoko WR Standord
Outside of Tyreek Hill, the Chiefs’ wide receivers did very little to make an impact in the Super Bowl, and despite bringing back Demarcus Robinson, and Byron Pringle they should still be looking to add talent to the core. Fehoko is a very interesting prospect and has good size, a great catch radius, and the ability to make contested catches downfield. He is a mismatch nightmare for defenders, and he really makes pretty good cuts out of his routes to get open. He has the potential to grow into a starting wide receiver, and even more potential to be a good one with Patrick Mahomes throwing him the ball.
207. Josh Imatorbhebe WR Illinois
I like the idea of the Chiefs adding potential weapons for Mahomes in the late rounds, and adding Imatorbhebe could be another low-risk high-reward pick for Kansas City. Josh I is a highly underrated prospect that was a huge red zone threat while at Illinois. He has good size and length for the position, but his ability to go up for contested catches is where he makes his largest impact.
He does a good job of creating separation and runs back to the ball. He would also provide a bigger-bodied receiver and could be a good underneath target if he continues to develop his skill set. He is physical, he is fast, and he could be a steal of a pick.
