Kansas City Chiefs: Veach goes conservative staying out of first round

To the disappointment of some and relief of others, the Kansas City Chiefs chose not to trade into the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft. What does it mean?

The fact that the Kansas City Chiefs didn’t trade up means that general manager Brett Veach is not as predictable as we all once thought. At the end of the day, the price was too much for the Chiefs to pull the trigger.

Many projected the Chiefs to be a team to get into the first round via trade, with the noticeable holes that are yet to be filled on this team. As each pick was made, the internet was buzzing with what it meant for Kansas City. Armchair general managers across the nation and overseas were trying to pinpoint exactly what the Chiefs would do, when and where.

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The Chiefs were without a first-round pick because of the move they made last year to get Mahomes with the 10th pick. It made sense to think that the Chiefs would do something similar but to no avail.

The general consensus is that the biggest needs for the Chiefs come on the defensive side of the ball. Mainly at the secondary and line positions. There was an abundance of talent taken at these spots as the first round came to a close. The Steelers took safety Terrell Edmunds with the 28th pick, the Jaguars took defensive tackle Taven Bryan with the 29th and the Vikings took cornerback Mike Hughes with the 30th.

The popular trade partner floating around was the Eagles at 32, but the Baltimore Ravens won the bidding war, drafting the record-breaking fifth quarterback in the first round, Lamar Jackson.

The Chiefs still may not have missed on their guy yet, nobody knows but those in the war room. The shining light is that there is still talent at these positions. It is very reasonable to think that the Chiefs can still draft two starters during the second day of the draft. Keep in mind, being a first rounder doesn’t guarantee anything.

Kansas City may find themselves in a position to still trade up early in the second round, which remains a very good possibility. This draft is loaded with talent well into the fifth round this year, but there are names that will be going quick when the clock starts ticking.

• Will Hernandez, UTEP  G
• Harold Landry, Boston College  OLB
• Josh Jackson, Iowa  CB
• Justin Reid, Stanford  S
• Ronnie Harrison, Alabama  S
• Harrison Phillips, Stanford  DT
• Lorenzo Carter, Georgia  OLB

These are just a few names to keep an eye on. There are plenty more, but the Chiefs should be able to grab them with where they sit, rather than trade for the pick.

Next: Each first round pick since 2000

Harold Landry could be a huge get for the Chiefs, as would Josh Jackson or Harrison Phillips. If the Chiefs do pull the trigger during the second day it will come at a much cheaper price in the second round. Kansas City will be active, now that the first round is behind them, the focus turns to making the Chiefs better.