2018 NFL Mock Draft: Chiefs look to go best available at position of need
By Britt Zank
ROUND 3 – PICK 22 (86TH OVERALL): DUKE DAWSON, CB (FLORIDA)
This pick will make a lot of fans happy as the Chiefs select a player for the secondary. With Marcus Peters being traded to Los Angeles the Chiefs are in need of talented depth at the cornerback position and they get that with Duke Dawson.
Dawson is smaller than the Chiefs usual corner at only 5’10, but at 200lbs he is stronger than he looks. Being behind two NFL drafted corners at Florida meant he didn’t become a full-time starter until the 2017 season. Despite only starting one year he was made the first team All-SEC team after collecting four interceptions and 34 tackles as a senior.
Dawson turned heads at the Senior Bowl and showed he can play man or zone. He’s not a speedster after running only a sub 4.6 40 yard dash so he is susceptible to deep routes. What he lacks in straight line speed he makes up for in quickness and footwork. He is great at route anticipation and sticks to receivers like glue. He could slide into the nickel with the upside to be an outside starter if he reaches his potential.
What the experts are saying…
"Compact, strong slot corner who can beat up finesse receivers when he’s allowed to crowd and disrupt the route release. Dawson can match and blanket underneath, but hip tightness shows up when he’s forced to turn and run from a backpedal. Dawson can handle himself in man or zone coverage and is ready to work when run support calls. He has some length and speed limitations, but he has the instincts and cover talent to become a starting nickel cornerback. -Lance Zierlein, NFL.com"