KC Chiefs: Potential positions that could be addressed with first pick
By Chris Clark
The KC Chiefs will not be on the clock until the second round of the 2018 NFL Draft. Which positions could they target with their first selection in the draft?
When a team’s first draft pick is number 54 overall, it tends to remove that team from being associated with the draft’s most talented prospects. That’s the case with the Kansas City Chiefs in this year’s draft.
KC Chiefs fans have seen so far that Brett Veach has been aggressive in his first year as general manager. Could he be aggressive enough to move up to the first round? That’s still left to be seen so fans should take a more realistic approach in predicting at who the Chiefs might pick at number 54.
The following potential positions might be legitimate possibilities while others might be a just a little wishful thinking. So, take a look at the name that might be called at number 54.
PASS RUSHER
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In 2014, the Kansas City Chiefs had one of the best pass rushing duos in Tamba Hali and Justin Houston. That year Houston nearly broke the record for sacks in a season, Hali was still a revered name, and first round pick Dee Ford was Hali’s intended successor.
Chiefs fans had a reason to be optimistic about that part of the defense. Now, as the Chiefs begin to prepare for the 2018 season, things look a lot different.
Hali is no longer a Chief, injury riddled Dee Ford hasn’€™t lived up to being a first round pick, and the team finished in the bottom half of the league in overall pass rushing numbers. In order to regain that optimism and have a legitimate pass rushing threat, Kansas City needs to target a pass rusher in this draft.
There are some intriguing names in this year’€™s draft, but with the first pick at number 54, the Chiefs have to be realistic in who they are able to select. Since guys like Bradley Chubb and Harold Landry are projected first round picks, Kansas City will have to look a little further down the list of edge rushing prospects.
KU’€™s Dorance Armstrong is an intriguing name and a local guy to boot. Listed at 6’4″ and 257lbs, according to NFL.com, he is similar in size to Justin Houston. Armstrong may need a little time to transition from playing a 4-3 defensive end to 3-4 outside linebacker, but with a (hopefully) serviceable Dee Ford and second year guy Tanoh Kpassagnon, he should get that time.
Being a second round pick may also take some of the pressure off to perform at a high level immediately. Look for this first team All-Big 12 player to be a potential name mentioned in the second round.