The NFL Draft begins tomorrow. With that, it is time to give out our final thoughts for the Kansas City Chiefs as a whole, before the selections commence. General manager Brett Veach has gained the trust needed to become one of the top roster builders in the league. We are back to putting ourselves in his shoes today.
In Part 3 of the Playing Brett Veach series, we are going to list out a checklist, as well as other questions that need to be answered. The checklist is basically items that have to happen no matter what this weekend. Other questions, allow Veach a better sense of wiggle room or ease during certain points in the NFL Draft. Enough talk, let’s get to it.
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The Checklist
1) Select A Rangy Linebacker Who Can Cover
Cornerback is generally seen as the top need for the Kansas City Chiefs. However, I believe finding a coverage linebacker is even more important. Hot take or not, Brett Veach should not have to look too far to find a linebacker with that skillset. It’s a sneaky good linebacker class. Most of the top ranked guys do have a great sense of range, or see ball, get to ball type of style.
Anthony Hitchens does not have the prowess in coverage. Damien Wilson does a fine job, but he cannot hold down the fort in sub packages on his own. With Reggie Ragland now gone, the need is there. Not coming away with a single linebacker would be an utter disappointment for Brett Veach.
2) Only Take A Cornerback When The Time Is Right
Would Kansas City enjoy having one of the top prospects? Obviously. But drafting frankly for filling a need, does not have to happen right away. Given the defensive backs and cornerbacks already on the roster, the Chiefs can wait and take a guy who can really wait to learn the system for 2021 and beyond.
Of course, Brett Veach has already shown how often he takes pride in taking guys who are more under the radar. His confidence in taking guys that are rated a bit lower than others is always extremely high. Granted, Veach got great value by certain guys dropping in years past. In the NFL Draft, it is important to remember to not let good players prevent you from taking great players. Again, if the Chiefs have a chance to get a top CB at 32 overall, then great. Brett Veach will know when the time is right, though.
3) Get Patrick Mahomes More Protection
Offensive lineman can be had in any round. Andy Reid likes to take at least one protector every year it seems like. Besides the need of needing more protection up front, Kansas City does not want to endure another Patrick Mahomes injury. He can only do so much to escape pressure.
For Brett Veach, he has usually taken guys later in the draft. I would vouch for taking one by the end of day two, however. In Veach’s shoes, I would pound the table to take someone by then for sure. This is a type of selection that could help the Chiefs both now and down the line.
Other Questions
1) Double Down At Defensive Back? Offensive Lineman? Both?
If you have listened to our latest FPC Chiefs Podcast episodes and checked out the FPC Chiefs Draft Guide, we have constantly discussed the doubling down possibilities. Doubling down at defensive back with two cornerbacks, or with one cornerback and safety each, would be the top option. As Brett Veach, going with a corner and safety each would be more preferred personally. What about offensive lineman? As good as Mitchell Schwartz and Eric Fisher are, you want to have insurance available for those guys. Fisher missed some time last year and it hurt the team a bit. Besides the need on the interior, grabbing depth for the outside of the line would be necessary for the future.
How about doubling down at both? It would take a lot for this to occur. Multiple trade downs would need to happen for Kansas City. Nonetheless, Veach may deem it requisite for two double downs to take place at those spots.
2) Which Skill Position, Running Back Or Wide Receiver?
National media members think the Chiefs should add a running back. As Brett Veach, I would rather go wide receiver. A weapon there can add more of a strength around Mahomes, compared to a running back.
Sammy Watkins and Demarcus Robinson are still part of the team for 2020. Yet, they are both scheduled to be back on the open market next offseason. Given how intricate it can be for players to learn the receiver position in Reid’s offense, they can take a guy who sit and learn the offense before getting a larger chance in 2021.
Running backs can be found for next to nothing anyways. Reid’s offense does not necessarily have the needle moved by adding a running back, especially early in the weekend.
– Braden Holecek is the Kansas City Chiefs managing editor for Full Press Coverage. He covers the NFL. Like and follow on Follow @ebearcat9//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js Follow @FPC_Chiefs//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js and Facebook.
