By trading up in the first round of last year’s draft to select quarterback Patrick Mahomes, the Kansas City Chiefs surrendered their 2018 first round pick to the Buffalo Bills. Like the other three teams I’ll be making picks for today, the Chiefs had to watch and wait to see who might fall into their lap when their selection came up on Day Two.
Unlike the Los Angeles Rams and Houston Texans, at least they won’t have to wait until the third round. Here’s what I think Andy Reid and Kansas City should do with the remainder of their selections.
Round 2, Pick 54: Martinas Rankin, Center, Mississippi State
6-4, 308 pounds
With the run on centers late in the first round, who knows if Rankin will still be there when the Chiefs pick at 54? It was Center-Sanity Thursday night with the Detroit Lions and Cincinnati Bengals both reaching in consecutive early 20s picks to slide in centers when they could have both traded down and drafted the same guy 10 picks later. Rankin is listed as a center, but he began his collegiate career as a left tackle and can play all five spots across the line.
Round 3, Pick 78: Uchenna Nwosu, OLB, USC
2017: 75 tackles, 11.5 for a loss, 9.5 sacks, one interception, 13 passes defended, one fumble recovery (6-2, 240 pounds)
As long as Mahomes works out at QB, Kansas City doesn’t have a lot of holes. That’s why they need to add depth while taking the best players available beginning in round three. Nwosu will team with starters Dee Ford and Justin Houston to keep a relentless pass rush aimed at opposing quarterbacks.
Round 3, Pick 86: D.J. Reed, CB, Kansas State
2017: 47 tackles, 4.5 for a loss, four interceptions, nine passes defended, one forced fumble, two fumble recoveries (5-9, 188 pounds)
The Chiefs nabbed Kendall Fuller in the trade with the Washington Redskins that sent Alex Smith packing. Later, they traded away Marcus Peters, one of the best corners in the league. Needless to say, they must pick a corner with starter potential in this draft. Is Reed that guy? It’s hard to say. He’s lacking in height, but that never hurt his production at Kansas State.
Round 4, Pick 122: Equanimeous St. Brown, WR, Notre Dame
2017: 33 catches, 515 yards, four touchdowns (6-5, 203 pounds)
Kansas City added another speedster to go with Tyreek Hill this offseason when they signed free agent Sammy Watkins. Now they need to work on adding guys that can get open in the middle of the field and take the pressure of Travis Kelce. St. Brown is a guy plenty of teams are high on so he might not even be here in the fourth.
Round 4, Pick 124: Kyzir White, Safety, West Virginia
2017: 94 tackles, 7.5 for a loss, three interceptions, four passes defended, two forced fumbles, one fumble recovery (6-2, 218 pounds)
Safety has been a strength in KC for years, but they’ve lost the battle of attrition in free agency and retirment. It’s time to add some more bodies to the defensive back room and hope they find the same magic that kept a constant stream of NFL safeties in the line up, regardless of injuries.
Round 6, Pick 196: Will Geary, DT, Kansas State
2017: 44 tackles, nine for a loss, 4.5 sacks, one pass defended, one forced fumble (6-0, 306 pounds)
Geary can enter the defensive line rotation immediately and make up for one of the weakest groups in the Chiefs’ depth chart.
Round 6, Pick 209: Tre Flowers, Safety, Oklahoma State
2017: 80 tackles, one for a loss, two interceptions, eight passes defended, one forced fumble, (6-3, 200 pounds)
I love Flowers and think his ranking is way too low. If any team agrees with me, and they should, Kansas City will be lucky to pick him here.
Round 7, Pick 233: Peter Kalabayi, OLB, Stanford
2017: 58 tackles, seven for a loss, four sacks, one pass defended (6-3, 247 pounds)
Again, we’re looking at the BPA and Kalabayi can rush the passer and contribute on special teams.
Round 7, Pick 243: K.C. McDermott, OG, Miami
6-6, 311 pounds
Like Rankin, McDermott has the skill and experience to play multiple positions on the line.
