KC Chiefs: Time for a way too early mock draft for the 2021 NFL Draft
By John McCarty
Round 3, Pick 96: Tyreke Johnson, CB (Ohio State)
No school has produced more NFL-ready cornerbacks in recent memory quite like Ohio State. Former five star recruit and redshirt sophomore Tyreke Johnson is expected to be the top guy in Columbia when the season gets underway in late October. Assuming the Buckeyes compete this fall at some point, Johnson will go from an unknown to a wanted commodity.
The Chiefs have decent depth for the immediate 2021 campaign, as they will have 2020 rookies L’Jarius Sneed and BoPete Keyes to go with Charvarius Ward. Bashaud Breeland is a free agent after the 2020 season and Ward is a restricted free agent, meaning he is scheduled to be a free agent in 2022.
With how important the cornerback position is in the NFL, the high upside Johnson provides a developmental prospect with real upside but the natural ability to contribute on special teams and in dime packages immediately.
This player here is somewhat dependent on the Big Ten actually completing a season. With so much depth, I imagine the Chiefs to at least early look for high ceiling, home run type prospects. Neither Johnson here nor Surratt in round two are safe picks, they are high-risk (both have very limited playing time) high-reward type prospects. The back of the draft will see safer, depth type picks.