Open Rants by kkunert327

With the draft in the books time to go back and do a wrap up of how teams made out. I might be a bit of a harsh critic to the top 3 round picks, but that is where you need to hit in the draft to be successful. Sure most of the league is 4th rounders and later, but any that turn into Pro Bowlers or All-Pro players is mostly out of luck. So without further adieu, let's finish it off with the defending Super Bowl Champs, the Kansas City Chiefs!

1 (32) - Clyde Edwards-Helaire RB LSU - B

2 (31) - Willie Gay Jr LB Mississippi St - D.....edited to a B-

3 (32) - Lucas Niang OT TCU - A

This a fairly simple and sensible haul made by the Chiefs filling their few needs with high upside prospects. This is the route they will need to go in many drafts after they pay Patrick Mahomes that massive deal and start to lose good players in free agency. Getting cheap, high upside, and solid players that fills needs through the draft is going to be a must. Damien Williams was great in the Super Bowl and I cannot deny that. However, health and consistency has been few and far between for him. Ever since they were forced to let Kareem Hunt go they have been rotating in backs behind Mahomes. They needed to find a back to help stabilize the offense and stop them from getting into too many shoot outs. I had no issues taking Edwards-Helaire here since he was the best pass catching back who actually resembles a lot of Hunt and a little bit of Brian Westbrook who Andy Reid would love to bring back into his offense. I actually had them taking a back in most of my mocks with Jonathan Taylor or D'Andre Swift who I think was a better back. However, between Swift, Taylor, Edwards-Helaire, and J.K. Dobbins I think you could have made quality arguments for all of them to be the top back.  I just wonder if CEH can handle being a workhorse back often having Burrow taking most of the attention with his arm, but in KC he will have the same benefit playing with Mahomes. He is an easy Offensive Rookie of the Year candidate to look at this year. I initially thought the Gay pick was a reach, but the more I think about it, it was a fine spot to take him. With the linebackers flying off the board in this mock I doubt he would have been there by their 3rd round pick. He is a raw talent, but he fits a big need after losing Reggie Ragland. I am not sure he is ready to play right away, but with his athletic upside it will be easy to be able to start him early and just take his lumps. My favorite pick was Niang who I thought was a safer pick than Ezra Cleveland and even Austin Jackson. He is a big mammoth blocker who has quick feet and solid technique. The big issue was his motor and dedication to being great. Being in a winning culture could help him turn that corner. The Chiefs needed better depth along the line and I would not be surprised if Niang pushes Eric Fisher for the starting left tackle gig by the end of the season. 

4 (32) - L'Jarius Snead S LA Tech - C+

5 (32) - Mike Danna DE Michigan - D

7 (23) - Thakarius Keyes CB Tulane - D

It feels like the Chiefs did all of their scouting in the state of Louisiana and said they were fine with it. They landed two curious talents out of the smaller Louisiana schools, but only one seems able to get onto their roster. They sorely need help at corner and Snead as the versatility to fit at both safety and corner. He is a longer athlete with good vision and athleticism. Keyes and Danna were two undraftable players and seem to be reaches for the Chiefs. In their defense with most of their roster coming back from the Super Bowl roster, there were not many spots for a rookie to succeed in. I would have liked to see them take higher upside players late to work on and develop down the line when they start losing players. Snead has a ton of it, maybe Danna does being a one year starter at Michigan, but it's highly unlikely. Overall, what can I say, they landed a running back, linebacker, and offensive tackle who could all be starters in a year or two for them. That is all you can ask for on such a loaded roster who could be one of the rare repeat champions in the league thanks to their continuity. Still, they could have done better with their late picks and this gets a just okay B- grade, but I would not be shocked if their top two picks end up being two of the better rookies in the draft. 

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