ESPN says this is our perfect mock draft for 2022...
 

Kansas City Chiefs NFL mock draft for 2022: Building perfect class with prospect fits for all 12 picks in seven rounds

With 12 selections in the 2022 NFL draft, the Kansas City Chiefs are loaded with the draft capital needed to reload at key positions to try to get back to a fifth-straight AFC title game.

General manager Brett Veach hit home runs in the 2021 NFL draft when he selected Creed Humphrey and Trey Smith to rebuild the offensive line. He'll need similar hits in the 2022 class as Kansas City faces depth problems at wide receiver, defensive end, cornerback and safety. And that doesn't include future needs at right tackle and tight end.

The Chiefs have been the standard in the AFC since Patrick Mahomes took over as the starting quarterback in 2018, but to remain in that lofty position the roster must be turned over after the losses of stars Tyreek Hill and Tyrann Mathieu. They're also going to face salary-cap issues Mahomes' contract value goes up as part of his extension signed in 2020.

With 12 picks -- including six in the first three rounds -- now is the time to do a roster renovation. Here's one look at how Veach and Co. can add key pieces to fuel another deep playoff run.

First, some rules:

There are no trades projected in this mock draft, even though the Chiefs are in a great position to maneuver in Round 1. I wanted to show just how many needs Kansas City has and how effectively those needs can be filled via the draft.

We're keeping this realistic with each selection by drafting players who are ranked near the selection number on my overall Big Board.

Scroll to the bottom to see how ESPN Chiefs reporter Adam Teicher evaluates this haul. We'll start with the two picks at Nos. 29 and 30:

Round 1, No. 29 (via MIA/SF): Daxton Hill, DB, Michigan
We know the Chiefs love speed on offense, but they've also done a great job of drafting speedy defensive backs and letting them wreak havoc on opposing quarterbacks. Michigan's sticky cover man Hill fits that bill.

The 6-foot and 191-pound Hill has the size to play the free safety role, but what intrigues me most is drafting him as a replacement for Mathieu. Hill often played in the slot on Michigan's defense and is capable of covering receivers and tight ends in man coverage. Thanks to his 4.38 speed in the 40-yard dash and instincts as a defender, he's a potential difference-maker in the secondary.


Round 1, No. 30: Christian Watson, WR, North Dakota State
A favorite pairing of mine is to give the 6-foot-4 Watson to the Chiefs to bulk up a wide receiver corps that was undersized last season. The additions of JuJu Smith-Schuster and Marquez Valdes-Scantling will no doubt help, but both are on short-term deals.

Watson, with 4.36 40 speed and excellent body control, gives Mahomes a vertical weapon with size and speed to separate from defenders. Watson was also used in a variety of ways in college and has proven he can produce taking handoffs from the backfield, working on screens or simply posting up defenders in the red zone.

Watson has one of the most unique skill sets in the entire class. Watching coach Andy Reid and Mahomes put those traits to use would be a blast for football fans.


Round 2, No. 50 (via MIA): Drake Jackson, DE, USC
The Chiefs restructured the contract of Frank Clark to keep their top pass-rusher, but the spot opposite him has been a revolving door of stop-gap veterans since draft day misses on Breeland Speaks (2018) and Tanoh Kpassagnon (2017). This is the year to fill that need permanently.

Jackson had a red-hot start to the 2021 season before slowing down as the season wore on, finishing with five sacks. His ability to win with speed at 254 pounds is exactly what defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo needs.

Jackson's profile as a 4-3 defensive end with upside makes sense for Kansas City.


Round 2, No. 62: Phidarian Mathis, DT, Alabama
Much like defensive end, the Chiefs have struggled to find a solution next to star defensive tackle Chris Jones. In Round 2, addressing the defensive line becomes the priority with a stout 6-foot-4 and 312-pound tackle who can not only stuff gaps but get to the quarterback.

Mathis started two seasons at Alabama while showing he has power in the run game and uses his length exceptionally well in both the A and B gaps. He's raw as a pass-rusher, but Kansas City needs his run-stuffing ability on Day 1.


Round 3, No. 94: Jeremy Ruckert, TE, Ohio State
Ruckert is one of my favorite tight end prospects in the class, and a player who is flying under the radar as he started just one season in college. The fit with Ruckert here is perfect, as he's experienced as an inline tight end and as a run blocker -- something Ohio State demands of its tight ends. He's also a soft-handed receiver (26 catches in 2021) and has proven himself as a red zone target.

An ascending prospect who I believe will be a better pro than college player, Ruckert would be in no rush to produce in the Chiefs' offense but could be the replacement for future Hall of Famer Travis Kelce.

Jeremy Ruckert's best college momentsCheck out the best highlights that contributed to a stellar college career for Ohio State's Jeremy Ruckert.

Round 3, No. 103 (comp pick): Tariq Woolen, CB, UT-San Antonio
Speed and length in the secondary is a must, and the 6-foot-4 Woolen would bring that to the Kansas City secondary.

He posted amazing numbers at the NFL combine, including a 4.26 40 and a 42-inch vertical jump. That'll turn heads and would excite a Kansas City defensive staff that loves players with rare measurables in the past such as L'Jarius Sneed.

Woolen profiles best as an outside cornerback, but his length makes him a candidate to play multiple positions. He was a wide receiver his first two years of college and needs time to develop, but he has a high ceiling.


Round 4, No. 121 (via MIA): Zach Tom, OL, Wake Forest
A versatile and experienced offensive lineman, Tom won postseason awards at both center and offensive tackle in the ACC.

The Chiefs are set at center with Humphrey, but the right tackle position has been a question mark since Mitchell Schwartz went down during the 2020 season. Tom has the agility and balance to play in the Chiefs' zone blocking scheme. He also has the poise and instincts to get on the field earlier than expected as a midround pick.

There will be questions about his best NFL position due to limited size (6-foot-4, 304 pounds), but his value as a swing lineman is hard to pass up on Day 3 of the draft.


Round 4, No. 135: Jerome Ford, RB, Cincinnati
Watching the Chiefs' offense last season, it was notable how badly they needed speed at the running back position -- which is why we saw Jerick McKinnon have some late-season success.

With McKinnon gone, and even after adding free agent Ronald Jones II, speed should be a priority addition. Ford brings that slasher speed with solid hands out of the backfield. And if Jones struggles, Ford would be waiting in the wings to not only provide depth in 2022 but over the next three years, too.


Round 7, No. 233 (via MIN): Jack Jones, CB, Arizona State
In this mock draft, the Chiefs have now used three selections on improving the secondary -- which speaks to the lack of talent on the depth chart and just how important depth is at cornerback given the quarterback and wide receiver talent that exists in the AFC West.

Jones had a fantastic week at the 2022 Shrine Game and started to get his name on the map. A 4.51 40 at the combine didn't help his cause, but his tape shows a feisty cover corner who could develop into a valuable third or fourth cornerback if he can overcome his lack of elite size (5-foot-11, 177 pounds).



Round 7, No. 243 (via LV/NE): Smoke Monday, S, Auburn
Not only does Monday have one of the best names in the 2022 class, but he's also an intriguing all-around safety prospect. A two-year starter at Auburn, Monday has the versatility in the secondary the Chiefs tend to crave. Over the course of his career, he lined up at slot cornerback, free safety and box safety while also adding big plays on special teams.

In Round 7, every team is looking for depth at a position group, impact special teams players and high-character/high-effort players. Monday checks those boxes.


Round 7, No. 251: Tyshaun James, WR, Central Connecticut
Let's take a flier on a speedster whose measurables are turning heads. The 6-foot and 212-pound James posted "wow" numbers at his pro day, running a 4.49 40, but most importantly a 2.53-second 20-yard split and a 10-foot-11 broad jump. Those numbers might not mean much, but to scouts they show a player's explosiveness (broad jump) and his acceleration (20-yard split).

In Round 7, evaluators will bet on those numbers, especially with a quarterback such as Mahomes who can elevate the talent around him.


Round 7, No. 259 (comp pick): Jalen Wydermyer, TE, Texas A&M
And finally, here's another pick at tight end, trying to find a potential steal. A year ago, Wydermyer was talked about as a potential top-50 pick before he had an odd pre-draft cycle this spring.


At 6-foot-4 and 255 pounds, Wydermyer looks like an ideal "F" tight end on tape with agility and speed. But his testing times -- a 5.02 40, 25.5-inch vertical jump and a 9-foot-1 broad jump -- simply don't match up with what he put on tape at Texas A&M.


For Wydermyer, the testing times make him close to undraftable. For Kansas City, taking the chance on a productive college player whose numbers don't match the tape is a risk worth taking this late.


Adam Teicher's take
This draft would cover some much-needed ground for the Chiefs. I'd have to think they would be happy with this haul.

The secondary is due for a refresh after the Chiefs lost long-time regulars in Mathieu, Ward and Daniel Sorensen. Hill and Woolen are good places to continue this effort that began in free agency with the signing of Justin Reid. I also like the idea of throwing numbers at the problem in later rounds. Watson, coming from the FCS level, can't be reasonably expected to become the No. 1 wide receiver as a rookie, but he would eventually need to step into that role.

I'm nervous about a couple of defensive linemen in the second round, only because Tanoh Kpassagnon and Breeland Speaks were second-round choices, too. If even one of those players had worked out as the Chiefs had hoped, they'd be a lot better off at this point.

I don't care if we have 12 picks. We don't need that many damn TEs. Hell, we don't need ONE TE out of this draft

I'm not a fan of this draft.

Overall, I would be pretty disappointed with this draft.

I don't think Veach is gonna draft a CB very high. He just seems like he knows he can get a diamond in the rough at the position. Hes done it almost every year.

Gross

Adam Teicher's takes mean jack shit.. Only thing I see is maybe the Watson pick. I’d rather have Perkins..

This is the worst mock I've seen.

Maybe, maybe not. He also got by with UDFA, journeymen types on the interior OL. Then he went out and invested a 2nd round pick and a market setting contract on an OG to strengthen the OL.

Also, 3rd round pick at corner really isn't that high of a pick and wouldn't be that far out of his track record to date.

Smoke Monday is a bad ass name A+

Watch Teicher nail it, but then grade it a D- when it happens

We need to trade some picks away so I will feel good about myself.

Not really pounding the table for this

I wouldn't mind this draft at all

Two TEs but you draft one DE and he doesn’t fit our system?

Teicher has no clue what the **** he’s doing.

Yeah I totally foresee a 6'4 CB with 4.26 speed and a 40+ vertical lasting until the end of the 3rd. IDC what anyone says, if those numbers are legit he will be gone long before that pick due to a GM falling in love with those digits.

This draft has some good reasoning, imho. I'm not an AT fan, but these guys would help us. Especially Smoke Monday. Can't beat that name with a stick.

If the Chiefs stay put at their picks, this is a draft that could easily happen. I'd envision different players at the same positions, namely Pitre and Pickens.

I'm on board with and expecting a TE on day 2. Kelce is 33 years old. At some point, he's going to start slowing down a bit and we're going to start seeing diminishing returns. I don't know that it's this year but it's not far off. I don't think KC is in a good position to offset that with what they have behind him.

You also don’t need an elite TE to be good. Look at the Rams

But adding another TE would not only allow for us to get a future starting caliber player at the position (we currently have none behind Kelce) but a solid #2 TE would make our 2 and 3 TE sets alot more potent. It just adds another potential weapon for Mahomes which would be beneficial, especially if the WR we select winds up sucking

This is a great mock from a person that doesn't have to draft for said team. This is like I sat down for five minutes looking at the roster and deciding I need to fill holes at positions A, B, and C. Veach is going to make some moves and draft some players that will make us all yell WTF when it happens, only to watch those moves and players work out for the Chiefs in the end. It's what he does.

I can't see a guy like Watson falling to us anymore. After the recent run of WR contracts teams are going to start over-drafting them so they can have that 5 year cheap rookie deal.

Even if you have to reach a little the value is still way better in the draft than it is in free agency now. When guys like MVS are getting $10 million a year on the market, that position is going to start flying off draft boards at a much faster clip.

I fully expect a TE on day 2 of the draft but only one DE, and Jackson at that, makes this a horrible draft.

Guys, this isn't Teicher drafting. It's Matt Miller. Teicher merely comments on it.

https://www.espn.com/nfl/draft2022/i...s-seven-rounds

That’s nice. But these draft analysts need to go back and look at the type of DE that Spags likes.

He’s drafted one DE under 260-265 lbs since he’s been here and that was Mike Danna. He has a type that he likes and Drake Jackson isn’t that type.

Not a fan of this draft.

They always mock Daxton Hill because he’s the Mathieu replacement.
Watson is because of his height/weight/speed.
Oh they need a DE? Best one available no matter what!
Kelce is getting an old? Better give them two even though they have like 9 on the roster right now.
If they wanted to give us a speed RB then it should be Pierre Strong Jr. He’s got the best speed in the draft.

Good thing because if it was good then the Chiefs would do opposite but as long as ESPN puts out shitty mock drafts for the Chiefs then the Chiefs will be in good shape and not do that.

I presume that stupid **** Teicher was part of this process?

If so, just wipe your ass with it and move along. A dozen different guys on this board could do that job better than he does, they just don’t feel like taking the pay cut.

He showed up to his Pro Day at 273. At 6'3" and 34.25" arms, I'd say he probably does fit. He ran a 7.09 3-cone and 4.28 20-yd shuttle, both very respectable numbers, and with a tweaked hamstring that's kept him from running the 40. He had a 10'7" broad jump and 36.5" vertical at the Combine. We know he's got very good agility and great explosion. He's said he would like to play around 265. The only thing he doesn't have is really great height but I don't think it even matters because he's relatively high cut with long arms so he's going to have leverage on both fronts.

Jackson is an odd eval though. I like him quite a bit but the sack/pressure production wasn't where I would like it to be. What I like is his get-off, quickness, and bend. I think he needs some strength work and definitely technique work. But in the 2nd round, he's a guy I'd most definitely consider. I'm more enamored with Cam Thomas and Sam Williams in 2, especially at 50. That said, Jackson is a guy I'd almost certainly take if neither are there or at 62.

The one thing I 100% agree about is that he can't be your only stab at the spot. His bust potential is too high, or at least he may never be more than a marginal starter.

Pining for Christian Watson. :thumb:

Exactly what this offense needs but I was thinking 2nd round.

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That mock is hot trash

Yeah well, I can say that I disagree with ESPN that what they presented is the "perfect mock" for the Chiefs.

Watson is so raw. He is Tyreek clone in that they had no idea how to run routes coming into the NFL. But Watson could be our Deebo

I was in on him until someone posted his drop rate. Not nearly as sold now.

I'm good with the 1st round since we HAVE TO HAVE A WR1 (because we need to drool)!!!!! I'd rather see a DE to pair with Hill at S. I like that Ojabo from Michigan. Round 2 can go for a DL and a WR or CB. I agree that we don't need another TE. I liked what I saw in Gray and Fortson last year. Go 2 WRs there. Round 4 is where you get another OL to put Wylie on the bus and a RB. Round 7, alternate CB, WR, CB, WR.

Negatives
Many of you are very familiar with Adam's stories.

He did hit on some of the Chiefs needs and missed on a few.

He also hit on some of the players at probably about the spot that they might be found, but he really missed on some of them.

Texas A&M TE Jalen Wydermyer will not be one of the last players in the draft. He had 3 good seasons of catching passes and TDs. Many NFL draft rating services has Jaylen as one of the early TEs to be drafted. He had a finger injury, but he is good now.

Tariq Woolen will be long gone before our pick at 103. NFL scouts fell in love with his size and speed and a team will draft him early on potential.

I don't think that the Chief's go with Daxton Hill with their first pick unless they really think he can play corner/safety. Adam knows that the Chiefs no longer have Tyrann Mathieu and he seeks to replace him.

Positives
With a few of these picks, the Chiefs would be a better team.

It is a good sign that this draft will be very special for the Chiefs with Brett Veach running it rather than Adam Teicher.

Conclusion
Adam used a few of the NFL mock draft machines to create this story.

The mock that he used forgot about TE Jaylen Wydermyer and also marked Tariq Woolen way down for his small school experience and did not consider physical talent.

Other mistakes were Adam's.

Only one has proven talent.

Fortson…Gray…..seriously?

Ruckert would be a huge upgrade at #2 TE…if he could stay healthy.

WTF? 1 edge and not in the first? A safety first? No way that draft happens. Twitcher with the shit writing as usual.

Wydermeyer’s RAS score was a 1. He’s going to fall….hard.

I've always hated Matt Miller's takes, and this mock draft doesn't break the trend. It's just only fair to point out that Teicher didn't put this mock together.

Meh....my last 83 mock drafts are better than this one

I agree. Fortson could be alright, he was starting to make some plays before he got hurt. Gray did nothing. If there's a good TE worth taking in the 2nd I wouldn't be mad.

At the time: I hate these shitty picks
12 hours: they are starting to grow on me
24 hours: Beach may have hit this draft out of the park!

My apologies to Adam Teicher. I saw Adam's name twice and the "ESPN says this is our perfect mock draft for 2022" and jumped to the conclusion that he was responsible for this piece. I should have known better.

Lord.

No, Watson isn't anything resembling a 'Tyreek Clone' and yes, Hill could absolutely run routes when he came into the NFL. Oh, and he didn't drop nearly as many balls as Watson.

That's a staggeringly lazy comparison.

The reason I went with Hill over a WR is we're going to need some S/CB help. I just don't trust Thornhill and Bush and Key don't instill a lot of confidence. Our AFC rivals need to respect our secondary. Our other pick should be for a DE. Yeah, yeah WR1 --those can be had in rounds 2-3. Juju, MVS, and Hardman are going to get most of the balls this year, and WR4-6 are ST/targets of last resort guys.

Why not Smoke in the 7th? He could be fun and if/when he lays out some WR -----

Why are you completely forgetting that we signed Justin Reid?

I think it depends on how they feel about Josh Kaindoh. I remember listening to the presser about him and how excited they were to get a player like him.

No idea but you figure they want to give him some play time this year. Maybe they draft only one DE and have Clark, Kaindoh and a 1st rd rookie with a vet like Ingram in the rotation?

I'm not forgetting him at all. But when your backup safeties are JAGs and Thornhill hasn't fully recovered, you have to worry a bit.

I'm not a fan of this draft.

INAFOTD!!

As IF ESPN really knows anything about our small market Chiefs.:rolleyes:

It's not all that bad, really, other than the TE's, and you could make a case for taking one in the 3rd.

Early for Watson maybe, but then again, maybe not-there's a lot of buzz there. Hill is a freakish athlete with a lot of versatility; think of a little bigger and much, much faster Matheiu. Drake Jackson and Mathis would go a long way towards shoring up the D-line. I'd prefer some other DE candidates maybe but that's about right from the mocks I've run. I like Ford but doubt he lasts until that late, probably have to take him late in the 3rd. I'd like to see a second WR in there somewhere in the middle rounds or at LEAST like a Bo Melton in the 7th.

The Athletic’s First Round Mock:

29. Kansas City Chiefs (from SF via MIA): Arnold Ebiketie, DE, Penn State

Nate Taylor: The Chiefs may not keep the 29th pick, but selecting an athletic pass rusher like Ebiketie makes a ton of sense. Ebiketie adds depth at the position and he has the talent to be an opening-day starter alongside star defensive tackle Chris Jones and veteran defensive end Frank Clark. Listed at 6-foot-2 and 250 pounds, Ebiketie fits the frame that defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo wants from his defensive ends. In college, he showed a strong combination of speed and power in pressuring opposing quarterbacks.

General manager Brett Veach said earlier in the offseason, before trading star receiver Tyreek Hill to the Dolphins, that the Chiefs’ biggest priority was to add talent to their defensive line. Selecting Ebiketie helps accomplish that plan.

Dane Brugler: Ebiketie is considered a late first-round possibility for several teams, and the Chiefs could be one of them with the way he fits Spagnuolo’s scheme. Long and twitched up, the Temple transfer put dominant flashes on film that rocketed him up draft boards throughout the season. He needs to mature his reliability in the run game, but he can be an impact rusher early in his career.

30. Kansas City Chiefs: Daxton Hill, S, Michigan

Nate Taylor: Perhaps the biggest positional need for the Chiefs here is at receiver, especially in the aftermath of trading Hill to the Dolphins. But with prospects like Williams, Watson and Burks off the board, the Chiefs can feel comfortable selecting Hill, who could be their new nickel cornerback or their third safety alongside projected starters Justin Reid and Juan Thornhill. Listed at 6-foot and 191 pounds, Hill has above-average ball skills and is versatile enough to cover both receivers and tight ends. By adding Hill, the Chiefs’ projected starting cornerbacks on the perimeter can be L’Jarius Sneed and Rashad Fenton.

Dane Brugler: I’m a huge Dax Hill fan. He’s a twitched-up athlete with versatility to cover in the slot or make plays in the run game. But it would be surprising if the Chiefs bypass a receiver here with Jahan Dotson still on the board. It will be tough to replace Tyreek Hill regardless of what moves they make, but Dotson and his big-time ball skills would help soften the blow. Doubling up with back-to-back Penn State prospects would be my vote here.


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Damn, those are nearly identical numbers to Tyreek. For reference, Tyreek ran a 2.51 20-yard split and a broad jump of 10'9". James' broad jump would have ranked 6th at the combine. His 3-cone of 6.97 would have ranked third. And his bench would have ranked first with 22.

I hope we take a chance on this kid if he is there at 251.

Most of these mocks are lazy and shitty as a result...

Our perfect draft would be trading up far enough to take Jermaine Johnson, using the 2nd first round pick to trade up to 20 and take Wyatt, take the lower 2nd and trade up again for Cam Thomas. Boom. Defensive line rebuilt. Resign Ingram and all done.

You filthy offense homers can take your WR's in the 3rd or 4th round...

I prefer a combo of ESPN's "Perfect Chiefs Mock" and their latest "7-Rd NFL Mock":

DE Mafe
WR Dotson
DE Ojabo
DT Mathis
LB Anderson
CB Woolen
OT Zach Tom
RB Strong or Ford
S Monday
DE Moon
WR Rambo
CB Jobe

All I needed to know about Nate Taylor came from this "insight": Nate Taylor: The Chiefs may not keep the 29th pick. No, no, no, you KEEP #29 and, if there's a trade, it's #30!!

Shit mock. Taking a WR over a DE in round one is stupid.

If the board falls right, it really doesn't matter which one they trade. That's the nice thing about having back-to-back picks.

The only reason to trade 29 instead of 30 is because you're fairly certain your trade partner wants YOUR guy. If not, they can do whatever they want.

Getting the best WR left at 29. Best safety at 30. WTF? Why do we have to replace players that are gone one for one? Thats the only way to improve the team? :doh!:

I disagree. Your trade partner may package that pick to someone else. The only way you get your guy is to trade #30. That said, keep both if you feel your 2nd choice (your pick #30) is going to be gone by the time your next pick comes around.

Not sure why folks don’t like Arnold Ebiketie. When you watch him you can see how strong he is for his size and his athleticism is really good.

He’s got a frame to put on weight

It's really hard to see the guy put his hand in the dirt and still be as effective. He's a 3-4 OLB, at least right now.

I'd certainly take a WR IF the right one was still there. When we traded Reek, we created a need. I'd go DE first though.

Not impressed. But hey once again, as is the case with hearing any news nowadays, you must consider the source.