2018 NFL Mock Draft: KC Chiefs go best available with every pick

ROUND 4 – PICK 24 (124TH OVERALL): NATHAN SHEPHERD, DL (FORT HAYS STATE)

With their second selection in the fourth round, the best player available was actually a local Division II kid by the name of Nathan Shepherd. Shepherd had a hell of a career in Hays, Kansas, earning Associated Press Division II All-American and MIAA Defensive Player of the Year honors.

Shepherd had just 38 tackles in 2017, but the bigger part of that is that he had 12.5 for lost yardage and also totaled four sacks. He was a monster for the Tigers and will definitely be hearing his name called in the NFL Draft this year despite being from Division II.

Bringing Shepherd to Kansas City would provide a nice pass rushing project who would need a year or two to sit before being thrown to the wolves.

The worry with Division II players is that their level of competition isn’t the best, but the MIAA is one of the better Division II conferences. Shepherd had to play against teams like Central Missouri, Northwest Missouri, and Pittsburg State every year for four years. Those schools aren’t cake walks by any means.

Bringing Shepherd to Kansas City would provide a nice pass rushing project who would need a year or two to sit before being thrown to the wolves. He’s not an immediate starter, but could absolutely develop into a premiere pass rusher in the NFL if given the right coaching.

What the experts are saying…

"Shepherd lined up inside in college, but may be better suited as a 4i or five-technique in a 3-4 front. While he won’t be ready early on, he has the ability to become a productive NFL defensive lineman with improved strength and better technique work. — Lance Zierlein, NFL.com"