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DT Calijah Kancey, Pittsburgh
This is destined to be my most unpopular player projection, because it's tied to the fate of DT Chris Jones. There is a non-zero chance this team elects not to extend Jones, right? Mahomes is due $137.4m over the next three years. $137m. If the Chiefs need to pay Jones, say, $100m over three years, then you're talking about roughly 35% of your cap going forward tied to two players. Two incredible players, but two players. There is a very real chance that can't work.
And if it can't, you've got Chris Jones for one more year (or less, if you trade him off). As a result, the Chiefs are going to be aching for penetration in the middle of the defensive line. DT Tershawn Wharton is a fine player, but he's a role player. Calijah Kancey out of Pittsburgh is not a fine player. He is a ferocious force of nature, and has some of the best film of any player in the draft. He fascinates me, because you think this guy, a mere 6'1", 275 lbs, should be run over, but he's too clean in his technique. He disengages fast, he shoots a gap as fast as Dee Ford does on the edge. This isn't DT Aaron Donald, but he may very well be DT Tommy Harris.
Obviously the biggest problem is the size. He's going to get road graded his rookie year, and can only really be trusted in obvious passing situations. He's going to pack on pounds, and he's going to need to work overtime in an NFL strength and conditioning program. But I wouldn't bet against this sucker, hell no. And since Jones and (probably) Wharton will be on the roster, you can bring him along slowly as he develops for a year. But Chris Jones is the straw that stirs the drink on Kansas City's defense, and if he doesn't come back, you're going to need to make huge investments there. Kancey, with his size limitations, is a fascinating selection to do that in the 2nd round.
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