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KC Chiefs add Boise State edge rusher in recent mock draft

By Leigh Oleszczak

PROVO, UT - OCTOBER 6: Curtis Weaver #99 of the Boise State Broncos celebrates a play during their game against the Brigham Young Cougars at LaVell Edwards Stadium on October 6, 2017 in Provo, Utah. (Photo by Gene Sweeney Jr./Getty Images)
PROVO, UT - OCTOBER 6: Curtis Weaver #99 of the Boise State Broncos celebrates a play during their game against the Brigham Young Cougars at LaVell Edwards Stadium on October 6, 2017 in Provo, Utah. (Photo by Gene Sweeney Jr./Getty Images) /
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The KC Chiefs saw a resurgence in their defense last year and as such, were able to make it to and win the Super Bowl for the first time in 50 years. They need to make sure they keep their defense in tip top shape moving forward.

With the 2020 NFL Draft just weeks away, the mock drafts are coming out at an even more rapid pace. In the latest CBS Sports mock draft – this one conducted by Patrik Walker – the Kansas City Chiefs selected Curtis Weaver out of Boise State with the final pick in the first round.

Here is what Walker had to say about Weaver and why he had the Chiefs grabbing him at pick 32,

"The Chiefs successfully retained 20 of 22 free agents and can approach the draft with little worry, which gives great flexibility in what they can do at No. 32. Losing Emmanuel Ogbah in free agency means replacing his 5.5 sacks from 2019. They’ll find Weaver is more than up to the task, and is fantastic value at the end of Round 1."

Walker isn’t wrong when he says that losing Emmanuel Ogbah will be big, but keep in mind – The Chiefs were without Ogbah for the back half of the 2019 season – including the playoffs – and their defense actually got better when he went down with an injury. They also managed to retain Mike Pennel who was huge in helping to stop the run.

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Looking at the pick here, however, it’s not a high profile selection, as Curtis Weaver comes from a non-Power 5 school, but the Chiefs could use another edge rusher alongside Frank Clark and Chris Jones.

What immediately jumps off the page for Weaver is his sack total. He had 13.5 sacks in 2019 and totaled 34 through just three seasons at Boise State. Playing in the Mountain West Conference does bring on lesser competition than that of the SEC, Big Ten, or Pac-12, so that needs to be taken into account here.

Still, Weaver had 52 tackles with 19.5 for loss as a junior in 2019 and that total went up every year. He might be a boom or bust kind of pick, but Brett Veach has shown a knack for drafting players like Weaver and that’s why this selection wouldn’t be all that surprising.

Weaver spent time at both defensive end and linebacker, which is another appealing aspect of his game. The Chiefs could use help in both of departments and this would really allow Steve Spagnuolo to get creative with Curtis Weaver and how he could use him in his defense.

How would you feel about this pick if the Kansas City Chiefs went this route?r

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