Kansas City Chiefs boost defense with Breeland Speaks 46th overall
The Kansas City Chiefs traded up to the 46th overall pick to select Breeland Speaks out of Ole Miss. Speaks should instantly help out on defense.
The Kansas City Chiefs finally were on the clock in the 2018 NFL Draft and their first pick was Breeland Speaks of Ole Miss. The Chiefs traded up from 54 overall to 46 to make the selection.
Speaks played three years with the Rebels and totaled 121 tackles and nine sacks. Seven of those nine sacks came last year as a junior at Ole Miss.
My first thought when the Chiefs traded up was that they wanted Joshua Jackson (who wound up going to Packers with the pick right before), so I figured “They’re going corner here”. Nope… They went with a defensive end instead.
Welcome to #ChiefsKingdom, @Bspeaks9!#NFLDraft #ChiefsDraft pic.twitter.com/UiyPtqcZ2A
— Kansas City Chiefs (@Chiefs) April 28, 2018
Don’t get me wrong. I’m excited for the Chiefs to add defensive help, but Speaks isn’t one of the more well-known players in this draft. He should be able to contribute right away to the Chiefs defense, but might need some polishing before becoming a legitimate defender.
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Per NFL.com,
"He can be chippy and emotional on the field and needs to mature, but he has the talent and ability to continue getting better. He’s inconsistent at the point of attack along the interior and his best fit could be at an end spot in a 3-4. He has the upside to become an eventual starter, but his floor must be taken into account."
The Chiefs obviously saw something they liked in Speaks or they wouldn’t have traded up to grab him. He had seven sacks last year as a junior, so he has the ability to rush the quarterback and get pressure on him. That is an area that the Chiefs definitely need help in.
Mel Kiper has previously said that Breeland Speaks is one of the most underrated players in the draft, so that’s obviously great news for Chiefs fans. The Chiefs needed to go defense with this pick and they did just that.
Mel Kiper on pre-draft conference call says Ole Miss DE Breeland Speaks is the most underrated defensive player in the draft, currently in 2nd day conversation as a 2nd/3rd rounder. A top selection in a supbar DE class, could be someone Vikings keep an eye on in early-mid rounds.
— Courtney Cronin (@CourtneyRCronin) April 18, 2018
Hopefully Speaks can help out with stopping the run or become a legit pass rushing threat in Kansas City. Both could be used greatly for our Chiefs.
The best part, however, is that Speaks had a pretty comical moment last year. While on the ground after a play, he caught the camera on him and smiled and waved.
Remember this guy? 😂 He’s headed to the Kansas City Chiefs. pic.twitter.com/H9Pqq8jPJS
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) April 28, 2018
It’s nice to have someone with a good sense of humor on the team. Hopefully Speaks is good on the field because I have a feeling this guy could become a new fan favorite.
What do you think of this pick, Chiefs Kingdom? Yay or nay?