After the bold trade of TYREEK HILL, Mr. Mahomes Go-To Guy, the CHIEFS find themselves with 12 Picks in this Draft. The sad news is that 4 of them are in Round 7. Conversely though, 8 of them are in the top 135 Picks, with 2 Picks per round from 1-4. Last year, the team rebuilt their OL and it worked with 4 new starters in play. This year, their top areas to work on are clearly the Receivers and DB groups. I expect at least 4 of their top 6 Picks to go to these two areas of need.
Pick 29 LEWIS CINE S Georgia 6’2/199 There was so much defensive talent in Athens, GA last season that it’s a wonder opponent’s ever got on the scoreboard against them. CINE emerged as a big time player with elite athleticism, field vision and tackling form. He should have a strong chance to win a starting job in Training Camp. Not the ball hawk that MATHIEU was for them, but solid.
Pick 30 GEORGE PICKENS WR Georgia PICKENS was a star wideout for the Bulldogs going all the way back to his freshman season. However, he was injured in Spring Practice last year and did not see game action until the end of the 2021 season. He must have gotten a green light at the Combine medical because his name is being mentioned a lot since then. He’s a great route runner with sure hands despite their 8 3/4″ size. Look for him to more than adequately replace the departed Demarcus Robinson.
Pick 50 TROY ANDERSEN LB Montana State 6’3/242 ANDERSEN played a plethora of positions at Montana St and earned himself an invite to the 2022 Senior Bowl. He balled out in Mobile, which played a big part in his getting a Combine invite. Working in the LB group there, he ran like a S and clocked a 4.42/40. He also registered a 6.72/3-Cone in testing. How soon he starts will depend on how quickly he picks up on the nuances of NFL LB play.
Pick 62 JELANI WOODS TE Virginia 6’7/253 After 3 years of blocking for the Oklahoma St run-game, WOODS transferred to Virginia and the coaches there realized what an elite athlete he was. One of five prospects who scored a perfect 10.0 RAS-math score for athleticism. His 4.61-40 time for his size blew away NFL Personnel people. And he still remembers how to block. Should make a great running mate for KELCE in 12-personnel sets.
Pick 94 DAMARRI MATHIS CB Pitt 5’11/197 While Mr. Pickett emerged as a top QB prospect on Offense for the Panthers, MATHIS did the same on the Defense. Has the look of a starting Nickel Corner in the slot. Ran a 4.39/40 at the Combine, then showed lower body explosion at his Pro Day with a 43.5″ Vertical Jump and a 10’11” broad jump. Senior season featured 43 tackles, 5 PD, 2 INT’s.
Pick 121 ZAMIR WHITE RB Georgia 6’/214 With EDWARDS-HELAIRE having shown some inability to stay on the field because of miscellaneous injuries, depth at RB might be an issue. And perhaps another Bulldog athlete can help solve that by bringing quality depth to the position group. WHITE showed his speed and explosion at the Combine with a 4.40/40-time and solid Vert of 33.5″. He should have plenty of tread left on the tires after playing in that 3-man RB rotation that Kirby Smart prefers.
Pick 135 THAYER MUNFORD OT/G Ohio State 6’6/328 Munford started a lot of games for the Buckeyes and showed versatility, as well as a team-first attitude. He may never be a full-time starter in the pros, but he can make a very valuable and affordable multi-positional OL. He was a solid collegian and should be likewise as a pro.
Pick 233 NEIL FARRELL DT LSU 6’4/335
Pick 243 JERRETH STERNS WR/RS Western Kentucky 5’7/183
Pick 251 BRYCE WITT QB Chowan 6’2/235
Pick 259 THOMAS BOOKER DL/OG Stanford 6’3/310
Despite having a Playoff caliber roster, the Chiefs brass realized that the roster was getting older in spots, and they needed to lop off some high end vet salaries. Count me in among those who believe that MAHOMES is good enough to raise the level of play with his receiver group, which now lacks the dynamic force that was TYREEK HILL, but has more overall talent than last season’s depth chart, with the additions of SMITH-SCHUSTER, VALDES-SCANTLING, PICKENS & WOODS .
Pigskin
