Whoo boy. This is a tough situation for the Chiefs, who — in this scenario — miss out on the draft’s top three corners and top three quarterbacks. But there are some intriguing options left.
First of all, I still think a quarterback is in play here, especially if Watson or Mahomes remains on the board. And someone like Kizer, who is the biggest (6-4, 230) of the bunch with a gun, intelligence and mobility, would be a sneaky-intriguing pick, questions about his makeup be darned.
If the Chiefs made this pick, it means Andy Reid feels he can reach him. He is very articulate, very smart and I do think he could hang in the Chiefs’ quarterback room with Alex Smith, who knows how to prepare. If the Chiefs made this pick, I would understand it and like it. Any quarterback pick would also mean Reid and general manager John Dorsey, both of whom are entering the last year of their deals, plan on being here a while. If I were a Chiefs fan, I’d be happy about that.
But let’s say the whispers about his makeup — and Notre Dame’s strange 4-8 season — are real. Kizer’s out. And let’s say the buzz surrounding Cal quarterback Davis Webb –who is getting some late push as a possible first-round choice – isn’t real, either (though it might be). That shifts the focus to a position player — presumably one that could help immediately — and Jackson fits the bill, big time.
Look, he’s not very big (5-10, 186). But he does pass the physical boxes the Chiefs look for; he tested very well in the various athletic drills, and his arms (31 3/8 inches) are almost as long as Marcus Peters’ (31 1/2 inches), despite being two inches shorter. His hands (9 1/4 inches) are actually bigger (8 3/8 inches).
Plus, his athleticism is terrific, and his ball skills are real. Jackson picked off five passes in 2016, and he recorded 16 passes defensed. He’s confident and cocky, and he’d form a terrific, passionate tandem with Peters. There’s a reason he’s on my 2017 all-juice team.
By the way, Jackson has the additional benefit of being an absolute stud — stud — as a returner, which is secretly a need with the desire to get Tyreek Hill more involved in offense (he’ll still return most kicks), the offseason departure of Knile Davis and De’Anthony Thomas heading into a contract year. Jackson averaged nearly 30 yards a return on kicks with two touchdowns and 15.8 yards on punts with two touchdowns in 2016. He even has some history as a receiver, catching 39 passes for 628 yards in his career.
But if Jackson is gone, another top corner — like Humphrey, King, Louisiana State’s Tre’Davious White or Colorado’s Chidobe Awuzie — could make sense. So would Dalvin Cook, if he’s still on the board some how, or a top edge rusher like Wisconsin’s T.J. Watt, who could be counted on to step in and play as early as 2018.
And if the Chiefs are interested in gambling, Michigan State defensive lineman Malik McDowell — a hot-and-cold player with all-pro potential — or Alabama inside linebacker Reuben Foster would be intriguing boom-or-bust picks. Foster is a top-10 talent, but if they pass on him, remember they simply don’t value the position he plays as much as other teams do.
But if the Chiefs take him, I’d be in on that. The guy apparently loves football, and he covers more ground than any linebacker I’ve seen in a while. But he’s had injury issues (concussions, shoulder), he had a diluted urine sample at the combine and he also got into an argument with a hospital worker that got him sent home. That’s enough red flags to potentially keep him out of the first round. The only other thing that keeps me from making the pick for the Chiefs is, again, they just don’t value inside linebacker as a premium position. But if they took Foster, it means they feel he’s special enough to buck that trend, and I’d feel pretty good about that if I was a Chiefs fan.
Rounds 2-7
Spoiler!
SECOND ROUND
OLB Tarell Basham, Ohio (59th overall): Edge rusher with upfield juice who interviewed with the Chiefs at the Combine.
THIRD ROUND
QB Nate Peterman, Pittsburgh (91st overall): Has some issues throwing the deep ball but is a smart, high-floor prospect who has handled complex verbiage, throws with anticipation and has enough athleticism to execute the Chiefs’ zone stuff. Could be a capable No. 2 quarterback as soon as this year. Fits the Chiefs’ mold when it comes to what Andy Reid wants in a quarterback. If he’s off the board, someone like Miami’s Brad Kaaya would fit the bill, as well.
DE DeMarcus Walker, Florida State (104th overall, comp): Super-productive sack master who knows the game and could potentially help as a five-technique as early as this year.
FOURTH ROUND
TE George Kittle, Iowa (132nd overall): No. 2 tight end Demetrius Harris got in some trouble recently, and talented backups James O’Shaughnessy and Ross Travis have let to establish themselves as reliable targets. Kittle is a plus athlete who can offer a bunch as a run blocker in a era where tight ends can’t block anymore.
FIFTH ROUND
WR Chad Williams, Grambling (170th overall): Williams is big enough (6-1, 207) with athleticism and ball skills who can be an intriguing West Coast offense receiver.
RB Elijah McGuire, Louisiana-Lafayette (180th overall, comp): McGuire has some home-run ability and he interviewed with the Chiefs at the Combine. Intriguing developmental guy.
SIXTH ROUND
ILB Jordan Evans, Oklahoma (216th overall): Evans is a plus athlete who is dinged as a finesse player but has played a lot of football and is a very intriguing developmental player at a position of need.
FB Sam Rogers, Virginia Tech (218th overall, comp): Starter Anthony Sherman is entering the last year of his deal, and Rogers looks like a classic West Coast fullback.
SEVENTH ROUND
OG Jordan Roos, Purdue (245th overall, comp): The Chiefs have options at left guard, including Parker Ehinger and Zach Fulton, but Fulton is entering the last year of his deal and Ehinger is coming off a knee injury. Roos is a good athlete who put up an absurd 41 reps on the bench press and also visited the Chiefs during the predraft process.
