Kansas City Chiefs: 2022 Mock Draft with 12 picks in the fold
By Zach Gunter
The Kansas City Chiefs now have 12 picks in the 2022 NFL Draft. What should the front office do in an attempt to retool for another championship?
The Kansas City Chiefs now have 12 draft picks. Round 1, Pick 29; Round 1, Pick 30; Round 2, Pick 50; Round 2, Pick 62; Round 3, Pick 94; Round 3, Pick 103; Round 4, Pick 121; Round 4; Pick 135; Round 7, Pick 233; Round 7, Pick 243; Round 7, Pick 251; and Round 7, Pick 259.
Things have gotten more interesting, and I’m all here for it.
In my last mock draft, I mistakenly stated that the Chiefs had 10 draft picks. However, Round 6, Pick 189 was traded to Pittsburgh in exchange for EDGE Melvin Ingram midway through the season.
The last thing I will point out before beginning this mock is that I think about three-to-six of the picks the Chiefs have will be traded prior to or on draft day. However, I will not take that into account, and will instead be doing a full seven-round mock draft with all 12 picks still belonging to the Chiefs.
Round 1, Pick 29
David Ojabo, EDGE, Michigan
In my opinion, EDGE is the highest position of need for the Chiefs. While David Ojabo isn’t the perfect fit for their defense out of the gate, I feel as though, in time, he will be able to produce for the Chiefs. He wasn’t phenomenal on run defense, even sitting out run plays in Michigan’s game against Georgia. However, his pass rush skill is nothing to scoff at. He recorded 11 sacks in 14 games and scored an 87.3 PFF pass rush grade. I don’t believe he will be a day-one starter, but rather a project player that will eventually be a game-changer.
Round 1, Pick 30
Daxton Hill, DB, Michigan
I think that cornerback is the Chiefs’ second-most important position of need. Daxton Hill played elite in the slot at Michigan, and I believe he is just what the Chiefs need for their team. He mostly played at slot corner with Michigan in 2021, allowing 48 receptions on 68 targets for 456 yards. He’s incredibly quick, running an official 4.38 40-yard dash. Like Ojabo, I don’t believe he will be a day-one starter, but sitting behind players like Rashaad Fenton and L’Jarius Sneed will prove incredibly beneficial for his game.
Round 2, Pick 50
Chad Muma, LB, Wyoming
With Ben Niemann and Anthony Hitchens likely not returning to the Chiefs, they need linebacker depth. Chad Muma is a run-stopping linebacker. He explodes into targets and gets the job done. His pass-rush is nowhere near as good as his run defense, but I believe that can improve with time. Muma will likely begin as a special teams player and eventually advance into a starting role in the future. The Chiefs don’t need a starting linebacker in the draft, just depth to cover their lost talent.
Round 2, Pick 62
Jalen Tolbert, WR, South Alabama
With all the receiver talent the Chiefs have picked up in free agency, many believe WR is a high position of need for the Chiefs right now. That it is imperative. However, with Mecole Hardman listed as the Chiefs’ current return specialist, I believe wide receiver is important, but that return specialist is what’s imperative. Hardman is set to be the Chiefs’ No. 1 wide receiver this upcoming season, and I don’t want to risk him getting hurt on returns. That’s where Jalen Tolbert comes in. He’s quick and runs routes very well. He averaged 18 yards per reception and scored 8 touchdowns in 2021. Against other member schools of the Sun Belt Conference and other Group of 5 Conferences, Tolbert was an elite wide receiver. However, he has not played a Power 5 school since 2019. That, alongside the fact he will be 23 on draft day, is the only negative to Jalen Tolbert.
Round 3, Pick 94
Breece Hall, RB, Iowa State
Wait, a running back? Don’t the Chiefs have CEH, Derrick Gore, and Ronald Jones? Also, isn’t there a chance they resign Jerrick McKinnon? While yes, the RB room would be a little crowded with five RBs on the roster, I believe this pick is necessary. Ronald Jones is on a one-year deal and Clyde is in a make-or-break year. McKinnon may not come back, as much as I hope he will. And, even if he does come back, I think it will be on a short term deal. Hall could prove to be a great RB in the league. He averaged 5.8 yards per carry at Iowa State behind a bad run-blocking offensive line. I’d be excited to see what he could do behind the Chiefs o-line. I don’t expect him to be the starting RB within his first two years. In fact, I don’t want him to be. I like Derrick Gore too much. But, I do think he could be a star at some point in his career.
Round 3, Pick 103
Phidarian Mathis, IDL, Alabama
Mathis’ draft stock slid quite a bit in the 2021 season, going from a late first-round pick to a mid-fourth, according to PFF’s Big Board. It doesn’t necessarily make much sense to me, considering he recorded 7 sacks, 6 hits, 12 hurries, and 2 batted passes on 547 snaps. He played well in 2021 and has played well for his entire college career. He’s a very physical player and was named a permanent captain for Alabama in 2021. I believe he will end up being a starting defensive tackle at some point in his career.
Round 4, Pick 121
Jelani Woods, TE, Virginia
While I don’t believe that Woods will be any replacement for Kelce at any point in the future, it is always nice to have extra blocking help on the offensive line. Woods is a big man, standing at 6-foot-7, 265 pounds. His showing in the first day of the Combine showed that, even with his size, he is fast and a solid TE.
He ran a 4.61, caught nearly every pass thrown to him, and was very solid during the blocking drill. I don’t believe he will be a first-year star. Especially not on the Chiefs. However, I do believe that, given time and practice, he could show his skill in the League.
This is a very similar situation to my Breece Hall pick. The tight end room would be rather crowded, but with Kelce and Bell getting up in age, having backup for the future is important. Noah Gray and Jody Fortson are good, but having a third TE would be nice.
Round 4, Pick 135
Thayer Munford, OG, Ohio State
This is a depth pick. With only two RGs and two LGs, the Chiefs need a depth guy. Munford played mostly LG in 2021, recording 554 snaps at LG. Munford does not strike me as a guy who will shine in his first few years. In fact, he slid quite a bit in 2021. To start the year off, PFF had him listed as a late first-round pick. Now, they have him listed at mid-fourth. I think that Munford has upside, but I do not see him as being super impressive in his first two years.
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Round 7, Pick 233
Esezi Otomewo EDGE, Minnesota
At this point in the draft, the pickings are slim. In fact, it wouldn’t be too much of a surprise to me if the team were to trade this and the following picks away to move up earlier. This and the following three picks are simply best available at a position of need.