Chiefs Draft Rashee Rice Insurance in New Peter Schrager Mock
By Joe Summers
The Chiefs will soon be on the clock in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft and Peter Schrager's new mock at NFL.com will have fans thrilled.
Schrager, who is beloved by Chiefs Kingdom thanks to his unwavering support of Kansas City, has Kansas City picking star Washington WR Ja'Lynn Polk at pick No. 32. Not only would this give the roster a dynamic playmaker at a position of need, but it would also provide insurance for Rashee Rice should he miss any time due to his ongoing legal saga.
Betting markets suggest the Chiefs are planning to take a receiver in the first round anyway and Polk would be a slam-dunk pick.
Chiefs Draft News: KC Picks WR Ja'Lynn Polk in NFL Mock Draft
Friend-of-the-site @PSchrags' mock draft is out, and here is his pick for the #Chiefs.
— Pete Sweeney (@pgsween) April 16, 2024
Washington WR Ja'Lynn Polk is 6'1" and 203 lbs.
Schrager's full mock: https://t.co/dbf6fclae2
Our deep dive from @natech32: https://t.co/IP4LWUtdO2 pic.twitter.com/eKePSTbGDg
"Polk is a personal favorite -- and I keep hearing his name from football people I trust," Schrager writes.
"There's uncertainty in the Chiefs' wide receiver room, especially given Rashee Rice's legal issue. Texas Tech product Patrick Mahomes gets a former Red Raider who spent the past three seasons at Washington, making countless big plays throughout the 2023 Huskies' run to the national title game."
In his final year as a Huskie, Polk caught 69 passes for 1,159 yards (16.8 YPC) for nine TDs, routinely demonstrating big-play ability with seven games over 100 yards.
Ja'Lynn Polk isn't super explosive, but he's a damn good player with versatility, great ball skills, and enough juice to generate big plays
— Taylor Kyles (@tkyles39) April 11, 2024
Tracks and adjusts well, goes all out to attack passes when necessary, and consistently finishes through contact
Also fights for extra… pic.twitter.com/KJL1370kT9
He's got exceptional hand strength and is a willing and physical pass blocker as well with a knack for finding space in in zone coverage. While Polk only ran a 4.52 40-yard dash, he changes speed effectively and had a passer rating of 121.6 when targeted in 2023.
Coincidentally, his athletic profile is similar to Rice's, who we saw breakout in his rookie campaign with Andy Reid and Patrick Mahomes.
Polk shows up in big games and plays with a tenacity that would quickly endear him to the coaching staff and fanbase alike. It'd be a bit of a surprise to see him go in the first round, but I'd be a huge fan of this pick if it comes to fruition.
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