Patience Is A Virtue: 2021 Chiefs Draft Recap

They say good things come to those who wait. And largely in the 2021 NFL Draft, the Kansas City Chiefs did exactly what they needed to do.

That was let the board fall to them, hit on their top rated guys and benefit from tremendous value. In a matter of a mere two months, that beaten up Kansas City offensive line from Super Bowl LV is now suddenly one of the more daunting units in the league. Other needs were filled with prototypical styles they generally tend to covet. Or, the Chiefs won out with adding a flavor to the team that they were clearly missing.

With that in mind, it is time to give immediate reactions. How does this 2021 draft class stack up from a positive or negative perspective? How will each player fit in their game plans? Plus, what are both the short and long term outlooks for each player? Let’s dive in, by going pick by pick for the Kansas City Chiefs.

Nick Bolton, Linebacker, Missouri

Initial Reaction

One of the top linebackers in the 2021 NFL Draft, Nick Bolton was rumored to be a possible Chiefs fit for quite sometime. We at FPC Chiefs even wrote our own draft prospect profile about him, which you can read here. There were not many linebackers that we personally viewed as fits for Kansas City in this class. However, it was no surprise to see Bolton placed at the top of the team’s draft board and rankings overall.

Positives

From a talent perspective, there are many things that jump out when watching Bolton play the linebacker position. He does not hold back when tackling opponents, as the linebacker flies through them with an explosive style. His violent hitting power can lead to possible turnovers. Meanwhile, Bolton works best as a downhill thumper. He reads gaps well and does not hesitate to shoot through them. On the other hand, Bolton’s instincts and football IQ are quite impressive. He sniffs out where the play is heading quickly, and has no issues flowing sideline to sideline.

Negatives

No one is a perfect prospect entering the NFL. As a result, we still have to list some areas of improvement for Bolton. Block deconstruction in the run game is a major question mark for him currently. His feet can stop, or Bolton will begin to hesitate at the last moment. Developing a more aggressive punch and pop in his hands will be key for taking on blocks. Elsewhere, Bolton will need to become more technically refined in pass coverage. His coverage drops are fine when moving laterally. But, he can get anxious and move out of his area too easily, or the linebacker gets his wires crossed against routes in the middle of the field.

There is also a negative from a Chiefs draft perspective. If you want to say the team is using too many premium picks on positions that hold “low value”, that is very true. All in all, that is not traditionally good business. The team’s fourth largest cap hit, by position, is linebacker in 2021. If you could argue against this, the team is in good enough shape to go in a near best player available approach. Nonetheless, Bolton will not immediately take crucial snaps away from players who have struggled at the position. That would be like Ben Niemann in passing downs, for example.

Initial Outlook

Of the two second round picks the Chiefs made this weekend, the short term outlook appears a little more up in the air for Bolton. I do not know if he can carve out a role in the dime package initially, until his pass coverage technique improves. In the meantime, the team holds Anthony Hitchens in high regard and Willie Gay was beginning to put it all together near the end of last season.

The good news for Bolton? The long term outlook seems much more favorable for him. Hitchens is only signed through 2022. It could very possibly be his last full season as a starter this year, depending on how quickly both Gay and Bolton can develop. Once the Missouri product becomes acclimated to the NFL game, he could help to form one of the better young linebacker duos that Kansas City has had in a long while.

Creed Humphrey, Center, Oklahoma

Initial Reaction

Yet another player that we wrote about in an FPC Chiefs draft prospect profile, which you can read here. Personally, the Creed Humphrey selection left me ecstatic. He has long been one of the best centers in college football. While at Oklahoma, the center did not allow a sack in three consecutive seasons. This looks even better, especially after the Green Bay Packers selected a slightly worse player at the same position one pick before this, in Ohio State’s Josh Myers.

Positives

The immense strength has been well documented for Humphrey. He makes turning defenders and displacing them seem so effortless. To boot, this player has plenty of reps of him burying opponents into the dirt. His highly decorated and well documented wrestling background, which began for Humphrey at the age of four, has helped him grow stronger and more technically sound with his hand technique. His football IQ is top notch, as the Oklahoma product points out different alignments and understands multiple defensive fronts. He is a true leader at the center position.

Negatives

The situational awareness and timing can become murky for Humphrey in traffic. He was asked to pull or climb to the second level often in the OU offense. The above average athleticism he has could help to counteract some of that. Humphrey will also have to work on playing with a more consistent pad level, especially considering his slightly smaller arm length.

Initial Outlook

I would say the short term and long term outlook is quite favorable for Creed. Yes, the Kansas City Chiefs did sign Austin Blythe in free agency not long ago. Despite being penciled in as the starter before the draft, Humphrey will provide astounding competition. Even if Blythe starts some games at center in 2021, this second round pick can step in and start with no issues right away. Blythe is also only signed for one season. So, Humphrey would then assume the role of long term starting center for years to come. This is quite the leader and blocker to pair with Patrick Mahomes in the quarterback-center pairing.

Joshua Kaindoh, Defensive End, Florida State

Initial Reaction

For the first and only pass rusher selection to be Joshua Kaindoh, it makes a lot of sense. This is another player that the Chiefs have brought in the last few years that fit the Steve Spagnuolo mold at defensive end. HIs arm length, hand power and hand technique are exciting traits to build off of. For this spot in the draft, Kansas City did well to go after traits they have leaned towards in recent history.

Positives

The odds of hitting on a pass rusher on day three of the draft is so widespread. It often depends so much on team fit, the role or scheme they are assuming, or previous college production. But for Kaindoh, his athletic profile is a tremendous one to build off of. He can explode and burst off the line of scrimmage when the ball is snapped. His short area quickness allows him to close in on opposing quarterbacks rapidly. Additionally, the clean footwork and change of direction skills are encouraging at his size (6’5 3/4”, 260 pounds).

Negatives

The ceiling for Kaindoh is potentially high. However, he should be recognized as a project. The former five-star recruit has dealt with injuries and made just 10 career starts at Florida State. At the same time, the overall amount of production has been lacking. Sacks are not the be all, end all. Yet, he amassed just one sack in his last 11 college games. I would argue that Kaindoh does not play up to his size or physical profile as much as he could.

Initial Outlook

Short term, Kaindoh will be working more to become technically sound. If he contributes as a rookie, it may be more in the run defense department than as a pass rusher. He and other Seminoles teammates read run plays and where the ball was flowing to fairly well.

Long term, you hope that Kaindoh’s athleticism can allow him to constantly stress offensive tackles. Allow him to use that outstanding burst to his advantage, and catch opposing blockers flat footed. The Chiefs will likely want his pass rush moves and counters to be more well rounded by say the beginning of his second season. If that occurs, Kaindoh can help Kansas City’s sack numbers rise at a constant rate.

Noah Gray, Tight End, Duke

Initial Reaction

I’ll be honest, I did not necessarily love taking a tight end before the Chiefs even drafted a wide receiver. Add in the fact, that Kansas City traded up slightly to do it. Noah Gray is not the first tight end I would have opted to take, based off of who was still on the board in that situation. But still, the Duke product could still provide possible qualities to that of Travis Kelce when he entered the NFL in 2013.

Positives

The one thing I do actually like about this pick, is that Gray can be used in a versatile role. He is not a traditional in-line tight end. The team has the opportunity to use him as more of an H-back type of player. And honestly, that feels like the type of complement the Chiefs have been longing for to stick on the depth chart behind Kelce. His athleticism, flexibility and natural hands will give him a chance to see the field early.

Negatives

Gray never really produced at a significantly high level for the Blue Devils. Some of that may obviously be due to the team style and talent around him. However, his yards per reception numbers were low and run after catch chances were slim. Possibly, Andy Reid can design and create more natural looks for him down the field. He is also not the most dominant when it comes to being a blocker in the run game.

Initial Outlook

It is definitely up in the air. Honestly, Gray’s short term outlook and long term outlook may be the same, as of now. Kelce is not slowing down anytime soon, having produced five consecutive 1,000 yard receiving seasons. On the flip side, he will be turning 32 during the 2021 season. If he were to go down for whatever reason, Gray is the most natural athlete and natural receiving threat that the team has had at the position to pair with Kelce maybe ever.

Cornell Powell, Wide Receiver, Clemson

Initial Reaction

For waiting to draft a wide receiver until day three, there was not many better options than Clemson’s Cornell Powell. He has the size (6’0”, 210 pounds) that the Chiefs were missing from the position. The way in which he manipulates defensive backs is quite fascinating to watch. Very detailed and calculated in everything he does, Powell will be a fun addition to the passing attack for Mahomes.

Positives

The route running will not be an issue for this player. For most receivers, it takes some a great deal of time to develop a route running arsenal and technique that is both beneficial and challenging for defenders to stop. Powell made life difficult for opponents while he was at Clemson. His deceptiveness led to many biting on his first counter move, which led to ample separation and open looks deep down the field. Powell also has consistently dominated in contested catch situations or in the middle of the field.

Negatives

His speed or burst will not blow anyone away. Powell will also need to work on finishing his routes and keep his feet moving in short to intermediate areas. The yard after catch results were still solid for him at Clemson. Though, perfecting his technique and timing to win with the little things will lead to more success with the Kansas City Chiefs. Finally, winning with more urgency will be a focal point for him overall.

Initial Outlook

As Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy mentioned when the team selected Powell, he has a unique skillset. It is a different flavor, compared to what Kansas City already has on the wide receiver depth chart. You can rely on him to be a possession type of receiver. Do not think of it as something like designed touches. But, there are certain routes he can win on in the intermediate game and over the middle that other cannot in this offense. Powell will likely start as the WR4. He could eventually be a top three wide receiver in the Chiefs offense, however.

Trey Smith, Guard, Tennessee

Initial Reaction

The medicals is the main risen as to why Trey Smith last this long. He dealt with blood clots in his lungs during the 2018 season. That is certainly serious. But at the same time, Smith has not missed a game in the last two years. Kansas City gets quite the physical type of blocker up front, and a potential steal late in the sixth round, if he stays healthy. I had him graded out as a third round prospect.

Positives

His power and strength stand out immediately. Defenders have a hard time and extended period of time disengaging from his blocks. The way he punches opponents and gets into their chests, Smith can wear down defensive linemen quickly. Their is a ton of nastiness in Smith’s game as well. He is unrelenting towards opposing defenders. Do not be surprised to see him bury them in the dirt and produce pancake blocks.

Negatives

He is not the most flexible or athletic blocker up front. Being able to stay patient and under control will remain pivotal for Smith moving forward. To boot, his pad level and knee bend will need some work. If that does not improve, he will struggle to gain leverage against other strong and physical defensive linemen. His awareness can be hit or miss at times as well. Having more than one plan of attack will be key for him. Smith’s injury history will also be monitored heavily at the outset of his NFL career.

Initial Outlook

Smith will have to battle in competition to see the field early on with the Chiefs. He is strictly a guard, so unless Kyle Long moves out to right tackle this season, the Tennessee product will likely be a backup. This highly accomplished player and former top recruit eventually have the opportunity to be the long term option at guard. If Kansas City can get immediate returns on him, once he becomes a starter, that is quite the tackle duo with Smith and Joe Thuney.

Final Thoughts

The Chiefs have done well to build the roster the last few seasons. However, the team has won so much with solid depth players, rather than a ton of superstars. The draft picks the last few seasons has also been hit or miss. Juan Thornhill, L’Jarius Sneed, Clyde Edwards-Helaire, Derrick Nnadi, Willie Gay and Mecole Hardman have all provided at least some early return on investment. Though on the surface, this has the look of being GM Brett Veach’s best draft class from top to bottom so far.

Be on the lookout for more FPC Chiefs articles this week. For more great sports and NFL content, stay tuned to Full Press Coverage.