Mock 4/1

[kccrow]

Draft
1 (32) – CB Isaiah Oliver – Colorado
Mock Trade: Chiefs trade Eagles Round 2(54), 3(86) and 2019 Round 3 for Round 1(32)
6’0” 201 40|4.50 VERT|35.5” BENCH|? 3CONE|6.94
The Chiefs will do their diligence on every player in this draft, so I don’t necessarily buy the “Chiefs love Mike Hughes” bit that was thrown out this week. He just doesn’t fit their normal #1 CB pedigree, and I do believe the Chiefs will be shopping for a #1. Don’t get me wrong because I love Hughes, but if the Chiefs are making a move up to get a guy I think it’s going to be for either Carlton Davis (who I think goes earlier) or Oliver, especially given that Veach wants an aggressive, press corner. With the Browns showing a ton of interest in Oliver, the Chiefs will likely have to get into round 1. Let’s get the knocks out of the way: Oliver only started 16 career games for Colorado. That’s about it. Oliver has idea height, weight and speed. He has unheard of arm length for a CB, which allows him to get his hands on balls most CBs can’t. Oliver shows the ability to press and bump at the line and then seamlessly flips his hips and trail a receiver. Oliver also does an outstanding job of pressing receivers against the boundary and narrowing a QB’s throwing window. Oliver shows outstanding technique when the ball is in the air with proper hand and arm placement against receivers. He’s also a willing and able tackler.

3(78) – FS/CB Dane Cruikshank – Arizona
6’1” 209 40|4.41 VERT|38.5” BENCH|25 3CONE|6.89
Cruikshank has outstanding size and athleticism and a gritty, passionate play demeanor that will certainly get his tape noticed. He’s played primarily CB, but he’s struggled with speedy, shifty receivers on the boundary and doesn’t play well with his back to the ball. When the play is in front of him, like this year when he moved to SS, Cruikshank has shown the ability to make plays on the football and be a difference-maker, plus he’s an outstanding hitter and tackler. All that said, I see Cruikshank’s best fit in the NFL at free safety where he can use his great range and speed to his advantage.

4 (122) – DE/OLB Duke Ejiofor – Wake Forest
6’4” 264 Will not have offseason workouts due to labrum surgery
Ejiofor is a very Tamba Hali-like prospect with good initial burst, good use of his long leverage, and good hand fighting ability to go with a don’t quit attitude. He’s shown the ability to set tackles up with multiple moves, including swim, rip, spin, bulrush, and so forth. Like Hali, he doesn’t have elite athleticism and that is going to lead to missing getting home at times. He’s able to bend the edge, but he’s not going to flatten and win on pure speed like some players. Ejiofor plays the run and pass well and seems to have very good field awareness and solid gap discipline. Should end up being a reliable run-stopping pro, but may never be a 10-sack guy, but 7-8 isn’t out of the realm of possibility. Probably a 3rd round guy, but with medicals and not being able to work out, I do expect him to slip.

4 (124 f/LAR) – OT/G Jamil Demby – Maine
6’4” 319 40|5.58 VERT|23.5” BENCH|17 3CONE|7.86
Demby is a big, athletic tackle prospect that projects inside due to length limitations on the outside. He has very good lateral agility, a very solid kick slide, and active hands in pass protection, his biggest strength. More of a turn and shield blocker in the run game as he projects to the pros because he needs to work on his strength. Functional blocker in space and has the quickness to get to the second level and out on reach and trap blocks. Plays hard through the whistle and is always trying to get his guy to the ground in all facets. Shows some nasty.

6 (196) – DE Zach Sieler – Ferris State
6’5” 290 40|? VERT|? BENCH|? 3CONE|?
Dominated his level of competition (Division II - GLIAC) and is a freakish athlete for a man of his size, displaying outstanding burst off the snap and great lateral agility. Quick to disengage and has outstanding play diagnosis skills. Travels down the line to make plays with bad intentions, delivering punishing hits to ball carriers. Certainly has tremendous tools to work with and mold at the next level and looks like he can make the jump in competition. Perfect physical make up with good bubble and long arms in the mold of a JJ Watt. Ability to play end or move down inside. Comes from the same conference as former Chief and current Ravens CB Brandon Carr as well as Ravens DE Matt Judon.

7(233 f/ARZ) – TE Garrett Hudson – Richmond
6’4” 244 40|4.60 VERT|34.0” BENCH|20 3CONE|7.26
Hudson is a classic move TE with solid play speed and routes. Excellent hands, seems to have caught everything that Lauletta threw his way. Makes catches in traffic and hangs onto the ball when hit by safeties and linebackers in tight quarters. Finds space in zone and works to get his QBs attention. Excellent down-field vision. Will need to work on blocking as a pro as he didn’t do all that much of it at Richmond and struggles to stay engaged. Needs to learn to run crisper routes, as he won’t have the athleticism to outrun defenders that he had in college.

7 (243 f/ TEN) - QB Jeremiah Briscoe – Sam Houston State
6’3” 220 40|? VERT|? BENCH|? 3CONE|?
Briscoe absolutely dominated FCS competition the past couple of years running a shotgun spread attack, but he showed a plus arm and solid pre-snap read ability. He did make some throws he won’t get away with at the next level, but he can learn. Briscoe definitely has raw tools to work with and is a bit of a gunslinger. Not bad traits for a late round QB prospect that will likely be a 3rd stringer while he learns.

[O.city]

I just hate the position their in to start this draft

Just having to give up that much to trade up sucks

[Hoover]

It would be a mistake to trade up IMO.

You want to move up for something, do it next year. This is a depth draft for the Chiefs IMO.

[kccrow]

Originally Posted by Hoover

It would be a mistake to trade up IMO.

You want to move up for something, do it next year. This is a depth draft for the Chiefs IMO.

I do agree on the depth part of it, but by the same token, I also think the Chiefs need to come away with a starter at CB in this draft. That's why I think the Chiefs should move up and get one, then they can spend the rest of the draft going after high ceiling projects or high floor depth or whatever it is they want to do.

I don't feel overly comfortable about the Chiefs trotting out David Amerson as a starter, do you? Opposite him, you have Kendall Fuller who looks great but really hasn't played much on the outside. Behind those two you have Nelson, who can basically only play the slot well, and a bunch of shit.

Yeah, I want KC to upgrade LG, DE, OLB, and FS, but if those don't happen I am far less concerned than if getting a starting caliber CB doesn't happen.

[Chargem]

I like what you're adding here. It makes Dline an area of concern, but that could be addressed in 2019 I guess.

If RJ McIntosh was there in the 4th, I'd be tempted instead of Demby.

[Hoover]

Originally Posted by kccrow

I do agree on the depth part of it, but by the same token, I also think the Chiefs need to come away with a starter at CB in this draft. That's why I think the Chiefs should move up and get one, then they can spend the rest of the draft going after high ceiling projects or high floor depth or whatever it is they want to do.

I don't feel overly comfortable about the Chiefs trotting out David Amerson as a starter, do you? Opposite him, you have Kendall Fuller who looks great but really hasn't played much on the outside. Behind those two you have Nelson, who can basically only play the slot well, and a bunch of shit.

Yeah, I want KC to upgrade LG, DE, OLB, and FS, but if those don't happen I am far less concerned than if getting a starting caliber CB doesn't happen.

I think it's a mistake to look at the 2018 draft as something that requires the Chiefs to make a bold move to compete for the upcoming season. Yes, the offense is LOADED, but we still have a very green QB at the helm. There are going to be bumps a long the way. That's fine, and should be expected.

The rebuild of the defense is a different animal. In many ways I don't think its as bleak as some here suggest. The LB corp is now the key unit, and a healthy Berry is a hug difference maker for the DBs. Yes we need a CB out of this draft, but sending two third rounders to be able to get to the bottom of round one isn't a sure bet. Not only are you giving up depth the defense actually needs, you are also hurting the salary cap as those players on rookie contracts are necessary in today's NFL.

And all that said, what is the difference between the CB you draft at 32 to the one you draft at 54, especially in a deep draft like this? I think the depth this draft offers is perfect for a team like the Chiefs. If Veach can find players that contribute in this draft we will only be better off next season when we have two second round picks.

[RunKC]

Love Cruikshank. Reminds me of Josh Jones who the Packers drafted last year.

I think Kylie Fitts is a pass rusher we might take in rd 4. Our new defensive hire knows all about him and the kid has the measurables.

[Chargem]

Originally Posted by Hoover

I think it's a mistake to look at the 2018 draft as something that requires the Chiefs to make a bold move to compete for the upcoming season. Yes, the offense is LOADED, but we still have a very green QB at the helm. There are going to be bumps a long the way. That's fine, and should be expected.

The rebuild of the defense is a different animal. In many ways I don't think its as bleak as some here suggest. The LB corp is now the key unit, and a healthy Berry is a hug difference maker for the DBs. Yes we need a CB out of this draft, but sending two third rounders to be able to get to the bottom of round one isn't a sure bet. Not only are you giving up depth the defense actually needs, you are also hurting the salary cap as those players on rookie contracts are necessary in today's NFL.

And all that said, what is the difference between the CB you draft at 32 to the one you draft at 54, especially in a deep draft like this? I think the depth this draft offers is perfect for a team like the Chiefs. If Veach can find players that contribute in this draft we will only be better off next season when we have two second round picks.

I thought I'd be okay using a single 2019 2nd round pick to move up this year OR add another pick in the top 100 this year, but it really depends on who they move up for.

I'd definitely be much happier moving from say 54 to ~40 to grab a guy that the Chiefs love who has slipped out of the first.

[O.city]

If they can just use the 2nd rounder from the rams, sure. But other than that it's tough to trade up that high.

[Mother****erJones]

I'm hoping there's a run on RBs and QBs late in round 1 so the corners fall to round 2. That's where you could see Veach be aggressive and go get a guy like Mike Hughes.

Shit, I'm wishing Landry falls into round 2 and Veach can go get him. I want more pass rush. This CB class is deep. Edge defender not so much.

This is some of his 2016 tape when he was healthy

https://youtu.be/hj8Ll6cjmuY

1:41 mark has a gorgeous sack on Watson and FF.

[Chargem]

Originally Posted by Mother****erJones

I'm hoping there's a run on RBs and QBs late in round 1 so the corners fall to round 2. That's where you could see Veach be aggressive and go get a guy like Mike Hughes.

Shit, I'm wishing Landry falls into round 2 and Veach can go get him. I want more pass rush. This CB class is deep. Edge defender not so much.

This is some of his 2016 tape when he was healthy

https://youtu.be/hj8Ll6cjmuY

1:41 mark has a gorgeous sack on Watson and FF.

The dream for me would be Maurice Hurst or Harold Landry falling into round 2, can't see it happening though.

[KChiefs1]

I’d rather they try & get another pick in the top 100 than moving into the first round.

Cleveland’s #64 would be nice.

54, 64, 78, 86 should net a couple of starters on defense with quality backups & elite special team players.