Round Four, Pick 125: Ohio State LB, Cody Simon
Simon is an experienced linebacker who has been a leader for the Buckeyes over the last several seasons and was an anchor for their championship defense this season.
With the Chiefs likely losing Nick Bolton to free agency this offseason, the team will look to add a linebacker in the middle rounds of the draft to help support Leo Chenal and Drue Tranquil. Simon can fill that base linebacker who can be a solid run defender and tackler in the middle of the defense.
Simon has a solid frame at 6-foot-2, 230 pounds, and has proven himself throughout his five-year career as a solid tackler and run defender. The Chiefs will be hoping that Leo Chenal is able to take a step forward, and they know what they will get from Drue Tranquil, but they need to add depth. Simon is exactly that and is a quality run defender who can give Steve Spagnoulo a reliable LB he can use throughout the year.
Round Five, Pick 168: Kansas RB, Devin Neal
Thousands of KC fans would be elated to hear Devin Neal's name called after his incredible career just an hour down the road. The projected value for Neal varies depending on where you look, but I have him projected as an early day 3 pick because of the strength of this year's RB class.
The team only will only have two running backs under contract (Pacheco and Steele) and the former is heading into the final year of his deal, so the team will need to add a RB this offseason.
My comparison for Neal is David Montgomery due to his strength and power with the ball as well as his ability as a pass blocker. Neal lacks great speed and quickness which hurts his stock, but the film also shows prowess as a runner to hit gaps hard as well as break tackles down field.
I love the fit with Neal in Kansas City, and I think that his skills in the pass game would make him a great fit in the Chiefs pass heavy offense.
Round Seven, Pick 223: Boise State EDGE, Ahmed Hassanein
The Chiefs may not have a huge need at EDGE, but the seventh round is more about adding depth guys or players who have athletic upside. Hassanein to me feels like a player that is very likely to stick on an NFL roster with potential as a true 4-3 DE.
Hassanein can be stiff off the edge and while he doesnt have a ton of length or bend, he is a consistent player who can make an impact in the run and pass game. He doesn’t have a variety of pass rush moves and his stiffness off the edge is what makes him fall a bit in the draft.
Yet, he has a big frame, and KC has proven to be good at developing DEs, so he's worth taking a chance on.