Kansas City Chiefs: Five scenarios for first round of 2019 NFL Draft
By Kole Berrey
The Kansas City Chiefs have three top 70 picks in the upcoming NFL draft, to go along with close to $25 million in cap space. That gives the Chiefs something they haven’t had in years past, and that is flexibility.
The Kansas City Chiefs didn’t have a first rounder last year because of the Patrick Mahomes trade. They have a first this year, as well as an extra second rounder from the Rams because of the Marcus Peters trade.
This flexibility makes the Chiefs an interesting draft day team to watch. General manager Brett Veach is known around the league as being aggressive, and having picks and cap space allows him to explore all options to better his team on draft day. Let us take a look at the five scenarios the Chiefs could go with in the first round, and how they effect the team.
Scenario 1: Trade Back
This may be seen as the least sexy move the Chiefs could make, but it is one that remains a possibility. Veach is well known for targeting his “guys.” This was made apparent in his famous table pounding for Patrick Mahomes when he was a scout for the Chiefs, and when he made moves like trading for Cam Erving and signing Sammy Watkins to a mega deal. Veach does what he can to get his guys, but he isn’t without caution.
This scenario would take place if one of two things happens: if Veach’s guys go way before the Chiefs can make a move for them, or if Veach identifies someone who other teams maybe aren’t valuing as high and they slip back into the second round. If one of Veach’s targets fall, the Chiefs could trade back into the early second round, still get someone they value highly and pick up an extra pick or two.
Here is how this could shape up.
Say the Chiefs have targeted corner back Deandre Baker as a high quality player. An early run on quarterbacks and edge rushers pushes other positions back, and corners like Greedy Williams and Byron Murphy don’t go off the board until late. The Chiefs could then move back a few spots, grab Baker, and land an extra pick to play with.
Draft day is a frenzy and a million different things could happen, so expect Veach to have plans A, B, and C for every possible scenario that unfolds. Trading back is definitely on the table, as much as most fans will groan and want a more aggressive approach.