KC Chiefs Go With Safe Pick In 2016 Mock Draft

Round 4 – Pick 123: Jayron Kearse (Safety, Clemson)

The Chiefs need to find a safety somewhere this off-season. Eric Berry, Tyvon Branch, and Husain Abdullah are all free agents. I expect the Chiefs to make a push to keep Eric Berry but the other two have likely played their last games as Chiefs.

Jayron Kearse is not a safe pick. He gives up a lot of yards but is still young. He’s coming out of college as a junior, so there is still plenty of time for him to hone his skills. He’s related to former NFL players Phillip Buchanon and Jevon Kearse, so he may know what it’s going to take to be successful at the next level.

He put up good stats for Clemson in his three seasons with 164 total tackles, seven interceptions, two fumble recoveries, three sacks, and 11 passes defended. Coming from a team that just took part in the National Championship game doesn’t hurt his value either.

Kearse’s measurements are insane. Most NFL safeties stand just under six feet tall. Kearse is six feet, four inches and weighs 220 pounds. He’s built more like a big wide receiver than a safety. See what CBS Sports has to say about him:

"Has shown freakish speed to go along with a knack for turnovers and explosive hitting ability throughout his collegiate career. not afraid to hit and has shown the ability to anticipate routes. Kearse has the bloodlines, imposing size and straight-line speed to potentially join his family members as a first-round pick. The junior is not yet the sum of his parts, occasionally over-running the action, but has the range and ball skills to project as an NFL centerfielder."

Kearse is a big, physical player that can dole out punishment with his tackles. He may not be able to stop Rob Gronkowski completely, but picking on someone his own size may hurt just a little bit more.

Kearse is a risk, but he may be one worth taking. In the fourth-round you’re entering crap shoot territory anyways. Why not take the player with the most upside?

Next: Low Risk, Big Reward