In just three days, the NFL draft has concluded, and the Chiefs came away with a serious haul of talent for the next several years. Many draft analysts called the Chiefs big-time winners of the draft despite picking near the bottom of every round. Brett Veach has consistently been one of the best GMs at building through the draft, and today, I place grades on each pick the Chiefs made this weekend.
Quick disclaimer, I hate when analysts just give out top grades for everyone. I grade harshly, and these grades do not mean the player will be bad, but could mean there is a reach or that there was a player I felt was better still on the board. I will provide projections for each player later to predict their performance in the NFL, regardless of draft value later on. To earn a top grade, the player would have to have been the best player available at their position and a steal based on my overall big board.
1. Josh Simmons - A+
Just after saying I don't give out good grades readily, here I go for the first pick the Chiefs made, but the top grade is well deserved. Simmons was my second-graded offensive tackle in the class and was seventh overall on my big board. The Chiefs needed to build the offensive line to help protect Patrick Mahomes, and they were able to do just that with my best available player. Not only that, but they were able to trade back to land Simmons, making this a clear A+ pick for Brett Veach and the Chiefs to kick off the draft.
2. Omarr Norman-Lott: B+
The second pick for the Chiefs in this year's class was a bit of a pleasant surprise as they added one of my favorite defensive linemen in the draft. Norman-Lott ranked as my sixth defensive tackle, but was someone I had in my top 50 of my big board. The Chiefs' biggest need entering the draft was at defensive tackle, and they got their guy. The only thing keeping this pick from being an A grade is that Kansas City needed a run defender. Norman-Lott's biggest weakness is run defense, but his elite pass rush ability makes him a valuable addition in Kansas City, and they will have a plan for him.
3. Ashton Gillotte: C+
Some people may think that a C+ is a bad grade, but to me, I think this is a "solid but could be better" situation. Gillotte was lower on my board, close to 150, but mainly because he was scheme-dependent. He is a great fit in the Chiefs' defense, but I would have liked to see the Chiefs trade down from here if they could find a taker. While I think he will have a great career in Kansas City, and he is a great fit, 66 was just a bit rich for me, and I would have liked to see them trade down for more picks.
4. Nohl Williams: A-
Nohl was one of my guys in this year's class and was a player I mocked to the Chiefs a few times prior to draft day. I had Nohl ranked as my tenth-best corner in the draft and at 84 on my big board. Williams is a physical and athletic corner with elite ball skills who has had tons of experience playing at UNLV and Cal. Nohl led the NCAA in INTs with 7 and would be an A+, but the Chiefs had to trade up to land him. If they had been able to stay at 95 and land him, this would be a perfect pick.
5. Jalen Royals: B-
Maybe the coolest pick in the draft, a man with the last name Royals ended up in Kansas City. The only place where Brett Veach and I often disagree when evaluating draft picks is at the wide receiver spot. Royals was someone I had graded lower than most, as he was my 25th-best receiver and 185 on my big board, and I was hoping for Elic Ayomanor, but the Chiefs chose to go with Royals. I would grade this lower, but Royals fits great in the Chiefs' offense, making me like this pick significantly more.
6. Jeffery Bassa: A
Bassa was one of my favorite players in the draft because of his athletic ability and relentless play in the middle of the defense. I loved watching Bassa's tape as he was all over the field, and you could feel his energy in every game. Many fans were hoping for an offensive weapon with this pick, and I was hoping for someone like Devin Neal or Ollie Gordon. Kansas City elected to go with my 85th-overall player and added some great depth in the linebacker room going forward.
7. Brashard Smith: A-
The Chiefs made their move for a weapon in the seventh round, getting SMU's star running back Brashard Smith. Kansas City traded up with two seventh-rounders to land Smith, and he will have a day-one role for the Chiefs. The Chiefs had to trade up for Smith, and I was also hoping to see Kansas City add a running back earlier in the draft, which is what lowers the value of this pick a little bit. But at the end of the day, this is a great addition.
Overall, I would give this draft an A-, and while I loved a lot of the picks, there were some weird ones as well as several trade-ups that I did not think were necessary.
The draft is always inconsistent, and the Chiefs came away with one of the best draft classes in the NFL. They added a lot of talent, and every pick they have could have an immediate impact on their roster. I love the additions the Chiefs made this weekend, and we should get to know these names, because they will be significant players over the next half decade.