Kansas City Chiefs: 2020 NFL Draft Big Board 2.0

Well, the 2020 offseason is moving right along. April is already here and that means it is draft month! Let’s get to the second Kansas City Chiefs big board for the 2020 NFL Draft.

Although the offseason is moving right along, the Kansas City Chiefs have taken a very slow and methodical approach to this offseason. Since my Chiefs Draft Big Board 1.0, not much has changed with the Chiefs.

Offseason signings and releases are really what drives changes in these draft big boards, which is why this Chiefs Draft Big Board 2.0 has been a long time coming. Some of these prospects will be the same, but I will do my best to make at least a few changes from version 1.0.

So, let’s begin with targets for the Chiefs for the 32nd overall first-round pick. The top three targets have not changed, but there are two new prospects thrown in there for round one. Let’s take a look!

Targets for Round One (Pick 32)

In round one, a lot of draft “experts” have the Chiefs picking a running back. Don’t fall for it. The Chiefs will need to come away from the draft with a starter at cornerback and likely a starting linebacker and interior offensive lineman.

Running back is not the most valuable position to target the first round as it is and I guess the guys doing these mock drafts missed the Super Bowl where Damien Williams was probably runner up for the MVP. Veach will be smart with this pick and target guys at a bigger position of need.

So in round one, this draft big board will focus mainly on the aforementioned positions.

1. Kenneth Murray, LB Oklahoma

Murray was the top target in my Draft Big Board 1.0 and he remains the top target in this big board. Murray will have to slide a little for him to fall into the Chiefs’ laps at 32, but a lot of teams ahead of the Chiefs made some moves at the linebacker position in free agency, so there is at least a sliver of hope.

As mentioned in the first Chiefs Draft Big Board, Murray is a high-motor player who is a great tackle. He also has good size and athleticism and could fill a big need for the Chiefs as a do it all linebacker who can cover.

2. Patrick Queen, LB LSU

Queen is very similar to Murray. He is not quite the physical specimen that Murray is but is fast and projects to be excellent in coverage. He’s also a willing tackler and high-energy player like Murray. Queen remains the number two target for the Chiefs if he can make it to 32.

3. Jeff Gladney, CB TCU

Gladney is one of my favorite players in this draft and is a guy who could end up being the second-best corner in this draft. He is quick and strong with great man coverage skills and ball skills. Because of all these reasons, Gladney been rising even despite having post-combine meniscus surgery. If he is there at 32, the Chiefs would be getting a bargain.

4. Cesar Ruiz, G/C Michigan

Ruiz is the first new face on the Chiefs Draft Big Board 2.0. Ruiz is a versatile lineman with the ability to play guard or center. He is quick and uses his hands well. He doesn’t have elite power and could get moved from time to time with physical bull rushers, but his instincts, effort, and speed will allow him to be an excellent lineman in the NFL.

I love his versatility for the Chiefs as well. Kansas City could be experiencing some changes along the line this offseason and it would be a good safety net to have a player who could start at either guard or center depending on how the line shapes up as they move through training camp.

5. Grant Delpit, S LSU

Yes, Delpit is a safety and no, safety is not one of the positions of need listed above, but hear me out; Delpit can cover with the best of them at the safety position. Think about inserting him into the role Kendall Fuller had late in the season last season. The Chiefs could continue playing three safety personnel and having three safeties on the field who all can cover would make the secondary a hard defense to read.

Delpit could not only replace Fuller, but be an instant upgrade. Kansas City would still need to target cornerback later in the draft, but a three-man safety tandem of Tyrann Mathieu, Juan Thornhill, and Grant Delpit would be scary.