The Kansas City Chiefs will have a decidedly different look in 2017 than just last season.
Dontari Poe was allowed to walk in free agency and signed with Atlanta. Jamaal Charles was released, which leaves a hole in the running game. They have been able to get by with Spencer Ware and Charcandrick West. However, they need someone with more explosiveness to truly replace Charles.
[DavidL]
The fate of Derrick Johnson’s career at 35-years-old may be in doubt. Management will have some choices to make and while he is still in Dallas, there still may be hope the team can work a deal to bring Tony Romo is to push this team closer to the Super Bowl.
The Kansas City Chiefs were once again close to reaching the end of the line and a trip to Super Bowl 51 but could not get past the Pittsburgh Steelers. The team comes back hungry and figures to still remain a top contender this season.
Kansas City has needs at linebacker, running back and in the secondary. Head coach Andy Reid and his staff have 10 picks in the NFL Draft to add starters and depth. The right moves could mean a trip to the Promised Land and a Super Bowl trophy in 2017.
Here is a look at the Kansas City Chiefs picks in the first three rounds.
Round 1, Pick 27 – Jarrad Davis, Inside Linebacker, Florida
The Chiefs need help in the middle and Davis is an impactful player. Long-time starter, Derrick Johnson, turns 35-years old in the early part of next season. He’s also coming off a major injury. Both these things mean that Johnson’s run with the Kansas City Chiefs is coming to an end.
Kansas City needs to find a young replacement who can provide some of the same things Johnson did throughout his career.
Davis was a playmaker for the Gators and could immediately challenge for a starting role. He has the agility to slip past would-be blockers and his naturally low center of gravity and core strength help him quickly disengage when opponents do reach him.
Round 2, Pick 59 – Pat Mahomes, Quarterback, Texas Tech
Mahomes may not start this season, but he is squared etched in as the Chiefs quarterback of the future.
The Texas Tech signal caller could be better than any of the three quarterbacks taken in the first round. This could also be a pick the Kansas City Chiefs make at No. 27.
At 6-foot-2 and 225 pounds, he has a nice frame and can withstand a hit in the pocket. He became just the second player in FBS history to account for 5,000+ yards of total offense twice in a career, joining Houston’s Case Keenum. This is the perfect spot for him as he can sit for a year and learn from Alex Smith.
While I like his skill set, I think if he had to start as a rookie, it would hurt his progression. Still, he has the ability to change a game through the air.
[Sean2]
Round 3, Pick 91 – Joe Mixon, Running Back, Oklahoma
Let the discussion begin. As a matter of fact, if Mixon was judged based solely on his football talents, he could have been a first-round draft pick. At any rate, he is highly skilled and runs with authority. Consequently, his brush with the law and assault of a female puts his character in question. Moreover, coming to the Kansas City Chiefs, a team full of veterans, will help him with his maturity at the next level.
The redshirt sophomore has good size at 228 pounds and can reach the second level with ease. Now that the team has released Jamaal Charles, it needs to find another bell cow back. Similarly, Mixon possesses terrific initial quickness and lateral agility for a player of his size, eluding defenders in close quarters with side-steps and jump-cuts and zipping through holes with instant acceleration and the speed to score from any point on the field
Round 3, Pick 104 – Sidney Jones, Cornerback, Washington
This is a compensatory pick the Kansas City Chiefs were given by the NFL. If not for a knee injury at his Oro Day, Jones could have been a top-15 pick.
This will hopefully pan out to be a steal for the Chiefs, who could use secondary help. It may take a year, but Jones could be one of the better cover corners in the league.
According to his scouting report, he is a solid hitter. The first thing that stands out about Jones is his easy movement skills. In addition, he has very light feet and has loose hips, allowing him to shadow receivers throughout their routes. Furthermore, Jones has the height (6-foot), long arms and easy change of direction to handle pressing at the line of scrimmage.