🏀 KuBuckets Archive

Draft day!

Thought I’d start a thread in case anybody wanted to discuss draft possibilities, and results.

I’m guessing the Chiefs trade UP to get the best available edge rusher, WR or CB,

Those are definitely the 3 positions they need target. I haven't decided if I am in favor of trading up or not. Obviously it would depend on who they got, but they have more holes to fill then they have had in a long time. I think if they could trade up using just 1 of the first round picks that would be ideal.

Jameson Williams is my dream pick, but I think it is just that a dream.

As long as they don't give up both of the 1st round picks in one trade, I'm good.

Would be interesting to see them trade up twice. Package 29 and 50 to get to 12 for Thibodeaux. And package 30 and 94 to get to 23 for a WR or CB.

Leaves them still having a 2nd, 3rd, and two 4ths.

If the Chiefs trade up, its probably for defense. This draft is DEEP with receivers, so trading up to get the third best guy when the seventh best guy might offer similar production doesn't make sense at WR. The Chiefs have also had success finding corners in later rounds.

Where they have struggled is finding edge rushers. Just not easy to find high level pass rushers in later rounds, so trading up to net a good one makes sense. I would do the first trade @Kcmatt7 suggests. I would stand pat everywhere else, and maybe look to move up in the fourth round by packaging lower picks.

I’m thinking they try to trade up for quality defensive players. Granted, the offense lost some vital players, but defensive improvement could negate a large part of that. It will be interesting to see…

Ugh, Saints/Wash trade i think hurts Chiefs chances of trading up.

Ha. Go figure. They did trade up!
I dunno much about the CB they got, but we need CBs, so good.
Experts wondering what's happening to the Florida State lineman.

@rockchalkjayhawk Apparently considered the 3rd best CB in the draft [others went 3 and 4]. Philly paper was suggesting Eagles trade up to get him at 12. Expected by most to go 16-18, so fell to KC at 21 after all picks from 15 to 20 were offense.

One draft assessment says he is virtually Mensa level in football IQ.

Biggest concern is his size, but aggressive tackler.

“The Athletic” writer Kapadia grades the CB pick as a C-. 🤔 Under sized & not enough reps to prove his numbers.

Looks like teams were scared to throw his way.

@mayjay @Gorilla72 yup, after reading up a bit, sounds like the CB is highly skilled, smart, but a little undersized. I haven’t seen any C Grades yet. Most were As and Bs. Good comps to other undersized guys who have succeeded in the NFL. Everybody seems to think he’s an instant starter.

And how bout that, Karlaftis falls to us as predicted by many mock drafts.

I think the Chiefs for two very solid players who can help instantly, but maybe not superstars.

Amazing draft for the Chiefs so far....

@rockchalkjayhawk said in Chiefs Draft:

@mayjay @Gorilla72 yup, after reading up a bit, sounds like the CB is highly skilled, smart, but a little undersized. I haven’t seen any C Grades yet. Most were As and Bs. Good comps to other undersized guys who have succeeded in the NFL. Everybody seems to think he’s an instant starter.

Reminds me of someone...

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brandon_Flowers_(American_football) ↗

It was nice to see them get someone they wanted and someone who just landed in their lap out of the first two picks.

Also probably was their two biggest needs and they got them out of the way up top. Now you draft BPA. Just trust your board.

@Kcmatt7 said in Chiefs Draft:

It was nice to see them get someone they wanted and someone who just landed in their lap out of the first two picks.

Also probably was their two biggest needs and they got them out of the way up top. Now you draft BPA. Just trust your board.

They can address depth at several positions now - CB, WR, S, OL, DL. Maybe even draft another young LB in the later rounds as a project.

Could see KC looking at Kwamie Lassiter as a potential late round or FA signing. He's good enough to get a shot somewhere.

Clearly they saw what the fans did with the D this past year. Getting younger faster and meaner.

Chenal, the Wisc LB, graded out at 9.99 in the Relative Athletic Score at the combine. Ranked #3 among over 2300 LBs since 1987. Expect him to be great!

@Kcmatt7 said in Chiefs Draft:

Clearly they saw what the fans did with the D this past year. Getting younger faster and meaner.

Somebody strapped Veach to a chair and fed him nothing but Sorenson and Niemann footage.

@BShark said in Chiefs Draft:

Reminds me of someone…

One service says the pro comparison is Chris Harris.

I have to admit...I’ve never ever heard of Fayetteville State!
Chiefs took a bigger CB from there. Crazy. How do you scout a kid at that small of a school? :)

And I have to say the first few days of the draft have been perfect for KC. Great picks.
The Greek dude and Skyy Moore just fell perfectly for them.
There will be some debate over the CB selection, whether his teammate Gordon should have gone first.

@rockchalkjayhawk said in Chiefs Draft:

I have to admit...I’ve never ever heard of Fayetteville State!
Chiefs took a bigger CB from there. Crazy. How do you scout a kid at that small of a school? :)

From ChiefsWire on USAToday.com:

"The Chiefs had a big presence at the HBCU combine, the HBCU Legacy Bowl and made it a point to really dive into these prospects this year. They were able to see Williams at both the Senior Bowl and 2022 NFL Scouting Combine as well."

@mayjay I didn't catch it all, has tremendous arm length and was the only div 2 player to play in the something bowl. Didn't catch the last part.

@mayjay said in Chiefs Draft:

@rockchalkjayhawk said in Chiefs Draft:

I have to admit...I’ve never ever heard of Fayetteville State!
Chiefs took a bigger CB from there. Crazy. How do you scout a kid at that small of a school? :)

From ChiefsWire on USAToday.com:

"The Chiefs had a big presence at the HBCU combine, the HBCU Legacy Bowl and made it a point to really dive into these prospects this year. They were able to see Williams at both the Senior Bowl and 2022 NFL Scouting Combine as well."

Ah. that explains it. thx!

@Crimsonorblue22

Here is the rest of the article from ChiefsWire, if that is what you couldn't see:

He was a standout at the Senior Bowl, working against competition that was much greater than that he faced at Fayetteville State. That’s something that likely stood out to Kansas City.

Even with the team selecting a player like Trent McDuffie in the first round, this team still was lacking in size in the cornerback department. At 6-3 and 195 pounds, Williams definitely brings good size. Of the remaining cornerbacks in this class, Williams has perhaps the best ball skills of any with five career interceptions and nearly a dozen passes defended.

It feels like Williams is a player who could take the Charvarius Ward route for Kansas City. He’ll start off working on special teams as a sixth cornerback as he learns the defense and gets acclimated to an NFL weight program. He could be playing significant snaps for the Chiefs by the season’s end.

https://chiefswire.usatoday.com/2022/04/30/kansas-city-chiefs-2022-nfl-draft-instant-analysis-joshua-williams/ ↗

Here is a very encouraging assessment of how The Athletic draft analysts felt about the Chiefs draft vis-a-vis replacing Hill and compared to othercteams who lost #1 receivers:

The Packers, Chiefs and Titans have all recently traded star receivers, with A.J. Brown becoming the latest on the move. Of those three teams, which has done the best job retooling?

Lee: Kansas City by a decent margin. I thought the Chiefs might make an aggressive move for a high-profile playmaker, but standing pat allowed Andy Reid and Brett Veach to patch up other holes and add necessary depth across the roster. Trent McDuffie will be able to play in the slot full time under Steve Spagnuolo, and George Karlaftis will be dependable and productive enough to keep the Chiefs from needing Chris Jones to play on the edge again. Skyy Moore is an interesting fit alongside other slot types in JuJu Smith-Schuster and Marquez Valdes-Scantling, but Reid is a master at getting the most out of receivers.

This was one of the Chiefs’ last opportunities to retool before Patrick Mahomes’ cap numbers boom, and it’s clear adding to the defense was the priority.

Baumgardner: The Chiefs are the answer here, as bringing in Moore to go along with the rest of those post-Tyreek Hill additions feels perfect. But all three teams here made some interesting changes that could work out well.

I really like what Tennessee did — going all-in on power in offensive tackle Nick Petit-Frere and running back Hassan Haskins, taking quarterback Malik Willis for the future and leaving no doubt about where the Titans are going offensively. If the situation with A.J. Brown wasn’t going to work out, then drafting Treylon Burks five minutes later was as good a move as Tennessee could’ve made. Green Bay got receiver Christian Watson in Round 2, and new offensive coordinator Adam Stenavich gets two more very capable offensive linemen in Zach Tom and Sean Rhyan.

Tice: The Chiefs needed more tangible starters on their roster and they took all of their draft collateral to address just that. I love what Moore will bring to their receiving room, a completely different type of smooth skill set than what the larger receivers they signed this offseason possess. McDuffie and Karlaftis should contribute right away on the other side of the ball. And adding interesting defensive players in safety Bryan Cook and linebacker Leo Chanel gives the unit more useful depth. I really like what the Chiefs have done this offseason.

https://theathletic.com/3285328/2022/05/01/nfl-draft-best-picks/ ↗

@mayjay said in Chiefs Draft:

@rockchalkjayhawk said in Chiefs Draft:

I have to admit...I’ve never ever heard of Fayetteville State!
Chiefs took a bigger CB from there. Crazy. How do you scout a kid at that small of a school? :)

From ChiefsWire on USAToday.com:

"The Chiefs had a big presence at the HBCU combine, the HBCU Legacy Bowl and made it a point to really dive into these prospects this year. They were able to see Williams at both the Senior Bowl and 2022 NFL Scouting Combine as well."

HBCU coaching has really taken it up a notch recently. Not just the high profile coaches like Deion Sanders and Eddie George, but other, less famous, but equally skilled coaches as well. This has brought attention to those players. There's significant talent in those ranks, and more top recruits are choosing that route for college, so this won't be the last time you see the Chiefs take an HBCU player.

OK, i have to say i'm not a huge college football guy. Don't watch much. So, don't mock me too much for just figuring this out...

Tank for Brock Bowers!

This guy looks like the next Travis Kelce!

Now that the team has played 7 games and there is some clarity on the field performance, it is interesting to read all expert's comments on draft picks.

It was a fun to read these comments from a few months ago.

On a separate note Chiefs have signed Daniel Wise (KU DL) to a futures contract. I am happy for him and hope that he can work his way to a roster spot.

Interesting...the Chiefs decided to NOT franchise tag Orlando Brown.

So, we're in the market for a new blindside protector!

They do not want to make a long term deal and not lock in $22M for one year under tag.

If they do not come to terms with Brown, look for a free agent or draft deal for long term scenario.

They are also releasing Clark.

The benefit the Chiefs have is that literally in a worst-case scenario they can slide Thuney out to LT and still have an above average LT. So unless you can get a deal with Orlando Brown you like, let him walk.

Time for Veach to get creative. I'm confident he will.

Unlike WR, this upcoming draft class has good OL talent

@AsadZ OT Harrison from OU or Dawand Jones huge self should be available at the end of the first round. Harrison would be a great fit. Good DE talent should still available round 2/3. Address the trenches first imho. WR/S later if still a team need after free agency. Free agency being the wild card. Veach might have a rabbit up his sleeve.

@Kcmatt7 Lots of folks say this about Thuney, but I’m afraid he’d get exposed with those t-Rex arms out on the edge if he played there full time. He did wonderful against the bengals, but Niang went in ahead of him for a reason. I’m hopeful Niang can be healthy enough to be a contender for one of the OT spots and that there are 3 good options on the roster. (Not asking for much am I?)

@dylans I am by no means encouraging the Chiefs to start Thuney out there. Just saying that if it happened, it isn’t the worst thing in the world. I think he’d be “good enough.”

I think Prince or Niang could be the answer. But I wouldn’t bet on either today. If they don’t add an OT and are betting on those two, you at least have Thuney.

If I were guessing what the Chiefs actually do, they either bring Fisher back or go get Taylor Lewan.

@Kcmatt7 Lewan tweeted at the Chiefs this morning. Looks like he’d like to play for KC. He would be a good fill in until a rookie gets up to speed.

@dylans Absolutely not.

@BShark Kyle Long? Lol

Semi-OT. I am extremely happy. That is all.

Chiefs have signed Jawan Taylor, Jacksonville RT, to 4 years $80M deal.

Wylie is reuniting with EB in Washington, 3 years $28M deal.

Now Chiefs have to address LT, looking as if Veatch will try to draft Brown's replacement.

@AsadZ 20million per year for a RT? Think he will swing over to the LT and draft RT?

Way to cash in Wylie! Now you can really go bust some packs in DC!!! (He’s a card collector)

saw that. seems like they want him at LT. Still, was Brown at about the same price tag? Who'd ya rather have? Dunno.

Dylans, Yes this appears to be realistic.

Veatch has done a good job with drafting OL in last couple of years and I am hopeful he can find another starter caliber type in this year's class.

@rockchalkjayhawk I think Brown is asking way more and Chiefs do not have room

Out of 80M deal, guaranteed portion is 60M

I think Brown was offered similar money last year if you take out the final year. The Easy Money University grad will have to collect elsewhere. I’m liking the Taylor signing much better than another year of the tag and off-season drama that could’ve happened.

Chiefs have signed one of their own restricted FA, DT Wharton, to 1 year $2M deal. He missed most of last year due to injury.

This is a good signing for depth and competition.

Twitter thinks Frank Clark has been re-signed by the Chiefs.

Chiefs have signed 49ers DE, Charles Omenihu, worth up to $20M, former fifth-round pick out of Texas in the 2019 draft.

I like the move to create depth and competition, cannot have enough DE/DL.

Also, Forston has been offered an ER FA.

Separately, FB Burton has reunited with Sean Payton in Denver.

@AsadZ Burton was no sausage.

I’m intrigued by the DE he had a ton of pressures last season and is still quite young.

Khalen Saunders has signed with Saints, 3 years $14.5M.

I'd liked Chiefs to keep him as he turned on nicely last year but it is hard to keep everyone.

Ju Ju has signed with Patriots, 3 years $33M.

I was hoping that he gets resigned by Chiefs who are now thin at WR position.

Toney, MYS and Sky are the 3 main receivers. Hardman is most likely gone.

This draft class is weak on WRs.

Veatch has to find at least one more starting WR.

I agree

@AsadZ said in Chiefs Draft:

Chiefs have signed 49ers DE, Charles Omenihu, worth up to $20M, former fifth-round pick out of Texas in the 2019 draft.

I like the move to create depth and competition, cannot have enough DE/DL.

Also, Forston has been offered an ER FA.

Separately, FB Burton has reunited with Sean Payton in Denver.

Omenihu is a depth play. Not a superstar for sure, but rotational. Watched him and the 49ers D line a lot, living in the Bay Area. Don't necessarily like the domestic violence tag.

@AsadZ said in Chiefs Draft:

Ju Ju has signed with Patriots, 3 years $33M.

I was hoping that he gets resigned by Chiefs who are now thin at WR position.

Toney, MYS and Sky are the 3 main receivers. Hardman is most likely gone.

This draft class is weak on WRs.

Veatch has to find at least one more starting WR.

I can't find the dislike button! Bummed to see Ju Ju move on.

Ju ju isn’t worth that much imo. Bold strategy if I’m KC, trade a couple picks for Mike Evans. Bucs are in salary cap hell and he only has 1 year left on his deal.

Thornhill to Browns, Saunders to Saints, Brown to Bengals, Burton to Broncos.

Team is changing!

@mayjay 😢 me and change.

@mayjay Brown took less money than what was offered to him by Chiefs, go figure.

I personally ain’t worried at this point about the defense that was garbage for most of the season. Get a receiver and keep working on the line. Draft some guys on the defensive side and see what happens.

@AsadZ Not only that, he is going to a major rival. A bit of spite involved, you think?

Looking around at the free agent WRs…no real No 1s out there.

Not an amazing group left on the board. DJ Chark seems like the top name now.

We need a bigger guy, don’t we?

@rockchalkjayhawk Could be some trade options as well if Chark, OBJ, etc don’t work out. Hopkins and Evans have been floated as possibilities, however unlikely

@dylans Personally I'd like Chiefs to stay away from OBJ, too much drama.

If it’s OBJ I can’t imagine it’s for more than one year.

@AsadZ said in Chiefs Draft:

@dylans Personally I'd like Chiefs to stay away from OBJ, too much drama.

100

I’m hoping it’s Nuk. Who knows?

@dylans said in Chiefs Draft:

I’m hoping it’s Nuk. Who knows?

what's a Nuk?

@rockchalkjayhawk Anthony Hopkins nickname

@dylans said in Chiefs Draft:

@rockchalkjayhawk Anthony Hopkins nickname

Ha, ok. Next question…who the hell is Anthony Hopkins?!
:)

Lol. Too much going on here. Kid projectile vomited when I typed that. DeAndre Hopkins. 😂 it’s been a day.

Doh! I knew, I was just messing with ya. 🤮🤮

On second thought Anthony Hopkins would be interesting. Dude would have a mean head game. I’m going to eat your liver with some fava beans and a Chianti. 😬

Some recent updates:

Hardman to Jets

Chiefs resigned D Nandi, DT

Chiefs also added some depth by signing former Chargers LB and Bucs Safety

I think Jets are trying to crowd their WR room to attract Aaron Rogers

@AsadZ Dru Tranquil is a nice player. I always thought he popped off the screen. I had no idea he was available. Good snag by Veach and co.

Making some progress. I'd still like to see a sturdy WR with some bulk on the roster.

@rockchalkjayhawk said in Chiefs Draft:

Making some progress. I'd still like to see a sturdy WR with some bulk on the roster.

I think it is hilarious that Andy Reid seems to shy away from these guys despite having TO dominate for him. He schemes guys open so well that these big body WRs who can run after the catch would theoretically thrive under him.

But analytically, the Chiefs under Andy have favored separation ability vs. run after catch ability. I'd love to know what Pat would think about having a 6'5 guy he can just throw the ball up to though.

@Kcmatt7 Hard to say. Mahomes doesn’t really throw into traffic. He’s good at identifying the open receiver/area and really shies always from throwing contested catches.

@dylans I'm not trying to be confrontational, my friend - but if I had a dollar for every time Mahomes has thrown into double and triple coverage. It makes me crazy.

Nueleaf

I think he was better last year, 2021 was worse especially first 6-7 games where he was struggling to adapt to schemes used to take away deep balls.

A few recent signings:

Blake Bell resigned.

Signed former Patriots and Colts DT Howart

Resigned DT Hoskins

Chiefs are creating solid depth at interior DL

I think they have a long ways to go on the D line, inside especially.

In my opinion Chiefs have enough bodies in the interior but need more help with edge rushers.

@AsadZ I’d sure like to see a DE drafted by the second round (probably an OT in the first) and a developmental interior DL in the later rounds. That idl from Texas (O something) mocks available 4-5th round.

@dylans I feel the same way, cannot have enough talented OL/DL players as games are won on the trenches.

Chiefs have signed Richie James, former Giants WR.

He had a good year with NY last year.

Guessing he’ll mostly be a help on special teams. Return guy.

He is a solid receiver

I expect him to be #3 or #4 depending on Sky’s improvement in year 3

I can see him getting some snaps at WR of course, but he's nothing special.
I watched him as a 49er quite a bit, when he caught a pass.
No breakaway speed, not fast, not truly explosive after the catch.
Maybe he's improved since his 49er days? hope so.
Just meh so far.

Chiefs have signed Blaine Gabbert as backup QB, 12-year veteran.

I thought that Buechele will get the job but it appears that Chiefs want competition at the spot.

@AsadZ beuchel is a fun camp story, but I really don’t want to see him play meaningful minutes. To be fair I don’t want to see anyone but Mahomes play meaningful minutes.

Nothing wrong with Gabbert as a backup. Good signing.

Glad they already have their QBs set before training camp.

I dunno much about the sheep lover DE, but he’s a KC product. it seemed like the draft didn’t fall KC’s way.

@rockchalkjayhawk FAU / KSU 😂

Solid pick. Productive player at a position of need. Signals confidence in Niang at RT. WR talent is mostly 2nd round talent going in the first round due to positional value. We shall see what Veach has up his sleeve for rounds 2/3 tomorrow. WR/DL/OL ?

Did he win Dpoy in big 12?

First-Team All-Big 12 Defense

EDGE: Felix Anudike-Uzomah, Kansas State

Close

He's good. Some work to be done due to how KSU played him and I suspect the Chiefs will want to play him differently. High upside pick.

No one wanted to trade with the Chiefs. Guess they are tired of making Veach look like he fleeced 'em. "Conspiracy!"

@Crimsonorblue22 said in Chiefs Draft:

Did he win Dpoy in big 12?

Yes

Trade! KC moves up to 55 and picks a WR from SMU.
Had a big year in college.