Hey, nobody knows better than I do that the top of my Perfect Mock draft has been blown all to hell. It will ripple down through at least the Top 10, but luckily for me I’m well beyond that right now. The bottom of the draft should be unaffected with the exception of the final pick. Regardless, I’m sticking to my guns here in the home stretch. I’ll get one more crack at the first round in my final mock draft right before the real thing.
The Kansas City Chiefs come into this offseason feeling pretty good. They were one of the top teams in the AFC over the last two seasons and can take a step forward while their primary rivals in Denver and New England could take a step back. If you had to pick an early favorite to win the AFC West right now, there’s little doubt it would be the Chiefs. Here’s the Perfect Mock Draft that will help them get there.
To see every team’s Perfect Draft click here.
Round 1, Pick 28 – Andrew Billings, DT, Baylor
2015: 39 tackles, 14 for a loss, 5.5 sacks, one forced fumble, 6-foot-1, 311 pounds
The Chiefs don’t have a great need at defensive tackle but Billings is too good to pass up at No. 28. He’s a disruptive forced that should be able to enter Kansas City’s defensive line rotation immediately, providing the spark and backfield push that former first-round pick Dontari Poe didn’t seem able to muster last season. The AFC West is getting better every year, especially at quarterback and the Chiefs need to keep their high rate of sacks and backfield stoppages that they’ve been known for over the last few seasons.
Round 2, Pick 59 – Jatavis Brown, OLB, Akron
2015: 116 tackles, 19.5 for a loss, 11.5 sacks, one interception, one pass defended, four forced fumbles, 5-foot-11, 227 pounds
Brown was an outside linebacker at Akron, but in the pros he should move inside. As the weakside linebacker for the Zips Brown was a devastating tackler and passrusher and tenacious defender that chased down runners with his 4.44 speed and not only made the play, but knocked the ball loose. Brown would be an immediate upgrade over Josh Mauga or a potential replacement for the underrated Derrick Johnson whose career is winding down after 12 solid seasons.
Round 4, Pick 126 – Christian Hackenberg, QB, Penn State
2015: 53.5 completion percentage, 2,525 yards, 16 touchdowns, six interceptions, 6-foot-4, 223 pounds
Of all the top-tier quarterbacks coming out in this year’s draft, Hackenberg is easily last on my list. That being said if you just take him as a raw talent, a piece of clay to be molded if you will, you’ve got a lot to work with. With Chase Daniel leaving for Philadelphia the Chiefs need a backup for Alex Smith and unless the Rams cut Nick Foles, Hackenberg is the best to fit that bill and learn how to play NFL quarterback under Andy Reid.
Round 5, Pick 162 – Roger Lewis, WR, Bowling Green
2015: 85 catches, 1,544 yards, 16 touchdowns, 6-foot-0, 201 pounds
Lewis may have hurt his stock a little with a 4.57 40 at the NFL combine, but he blew it completely away at his pro day. His 4.46 there is easily elite NFL level. His size is good, his hands are outstanding and his production in college was off the charts. He should be able to line up in the slot for Kansas City from day one.
Round 5, Pick 165 – Jonathan Williams, RB, Arkansas
2015: Did not play, 5-foot-11, 220 pounds
A left foot injury kept Williams out of the Razorbacks’ line up last season. That just means he’ll be fresher to make his NFL debut. When Jamal Charles went down for the Chiefs last season their offense never recovered. Charcandrick West did OK, averaging 4 yards per carry, but the Chiefs need to think about the future and in 2014 when he was healthy Williams rushed for 1,190 yards and 12 touchdowns against SEC competition.
Round 6, Pick 203 – Halapoulivaati Vaitai, OT, TCU
2015: Two-year starter, 6-foot-5, 320 pounds
Vaitai has played both right and left tackle for TCU. He’s quick on the move and a powerful run blocker. He’s a project, but one that could pay off thanks to his size, strength and smarts.
Round 7, Pick 252 – Jake Brendel, Center, UCLA
2015: Two-year starter, 6-foot-4, 303 pounds
Brendel is tall for a center and that should make him an even more valuable addition to the line as he could easily kick out to one of the guard positions. He comes from an NFL offense at UCLA that should make the transition to the pro game easier.
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