Mel Kiper Mock Draft: KC Chiefs Draft Jaelen Strong

Mel Kiper’s third mock draft for the 2015 NFL Draft was released on Thursday, and it comes at no surprise that he has the KC Chiefs slated to draft a wide receiver in the first round. The first time around it was former Missouri Tiger/current Oklahoma Sooner Dorial Green-Beckham and the second time it was Ohio State’s Devin Smith.

Who did Kiper have the Kansas City Chiefs nabbing in round one of this mock draft?

I’ve been pretty high on Jaelen Strong since early on during the draft process, and would really love for this pick to happen. It seems pretty evident by now that the analysts all see the KC Chiefs going after an elite wide receiver in the first round of the draft, and hopefully Strong could be that guy in Kansas City.

Keep in mind that this mock draft was written last week, and now the KC Chiefs are in much better position at wide receiver with the news that Jeremy Maclin is likely coming to Kansas City in 2015.

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Strong would still be a great addition to the Kansas City Chiefs, and would only add to the wide receiver depth on the roster. Here’s what Kiper had to say about the former Arizona State Sundevil,

"This draft is so loaded with pass-catchers I think Strong tends to get overlooked. He put together a great week in Indy, running 4.44 at nearly 220 pounds, and the fact that he came in slightly under 6-foot-3 was countered by a 42-inch vertical, a number that shows up on tape as Strong wins on balls in the air and won’t just out-muscle defenders, but can shed them as a runner. I don’t know if a true down-the-field threat is going to magically turn Alex Smith into a QB who is willing to test defenses deep — or even if that’s what Andy Reid really thinks Smith can be — but Strong certainly helps make it an option, something this offense needs."

I like this pick, and it’s a much safer option than drafting a guy like Dorial Green-Beckham, who could potentially be a problem off the field when he hits the NFL.

In all honesty though, now that the Chiefs have Maclin, the need for a wide receiver isn’t as imminent. The Chiefs could go after a different need such as cornerback, inside linebacker, offensive line, or safety in the first round rather than wide receiver.

What do you think about this pick? Yay or nay?

Next: KC Chiefs Focus On Offense Early In Mock Draft

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