Kansas City Chiefs: First round draft options in 2019 NFL Draft

FIRST ROUND DRAFT OPTIONS – TIGHT END

While from the outside, tight end (or perhaps offense in general) would not sound like the move to do in the first round, Kansas City must avoid ignoring the offense while it ages. They can’t afford to be stuck with issues like what’s happening in Green Bay (great quarterback, poor skill positions) or the Dick Vermeil era Chiefs (offense went from explosive to really old, and did so fast).

With the Chiefs not having a backup tight end and likely losing their fullback and receiver depth, a tight end in the draft makes sense both short and long-term. Fortunately, this draft is ripe with great tight end depth

Irv Smith Jr, Alabama

Perhaps my favorite offensive player in the draft for the Chiefs, the Crimson Tide product is a top shelf combo tight end, displaying not only good ‘receiver’ attributes (route running, hands, speed) along with being a quality blocker. With experience lining up both inline (classic tight end spot), lined up in the slot and also lined up in the backfield, Smith, with the combination of Travis Kelce, allows the Chiefs to utilize and dictate matchups all across the field.

Noah Fant, Iowa

Is he the top receiving tight end in the draft? Probably. While not the best of blockers, Fant is a great receiving tight end, able to line up anywhere on the field and creates matchup problems galore in the passing game. A receiving threat in the red zone and ability outmatch defenders, Fant is a classic, true flex tight end.

T.J. Hockenson, Iowa

A similar product to Smith, Hockenson is a sophomore prospect with soft hands, good routes and a really good blocker. Blocking skills are better than Smith and certainly better than Fant. Hockenson is another ideal partner to Kelce, allowing the Chiefs to line either player up in the slot or even in the backfield, creating and dictating matchups. Hockenson may be the first of the three to come off the board, but is a quality prospect along with the other two.