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The Chiefs have some glaring weak spots, primarily on the offensive line and the back half of the defense. The lowest average position groups are as follows:
Position (Average player grade):
Linebackers (2)
Cornerbacks (2)
Running Backs (2)
Interior Offensive Line (3)
Offensive Tackle (3)
These results should not be particularly shocking to anyone who follows the Chiefs. There will always be additional factors to consider, but from a pure evaluation of the current roster, we have a fairly consistent view of where the roster is thinnest.
It is worth noting that this only accounted for the two Chiefs cornerbacks on the roster who have starting experience. Two other spots were factored in as zeroes. Additionally, the defensive end position may be an area of concern as it is carried by a high grade from Frank Clark but doesn’t have anyone else with a starter level grade.
The 2020 NFL Draft has shaped up to have some depth at positions that the Chiefs need, but not everything lines up perfectly.
Let’s get the bad news out of the way first: The 2020 Draft is not star-studded at linebacker. After the unanimous top linebacker, Isaiah Simmons, there is a step down to the next spot. Oklahoma’s Kenneth Murray and LSU’s Patrick Queen alternate in that spot, depending on who you ask. Murray and Queen both have legitimate areas they need to improve at the pro level. After Murray and Queen, you have a logjam of linebackers with myriad concerns with only a handful showing glimpses of starting potential.
The second weakest group for the 2020 NFL Draft might just be the interior offensive line class. The interior offensive line class has plenty of solid prospects littered throughout, but it is lacking true star power. Cesar Ruiz is a top name often linked to Kansas City in the first round, but even Ruiz has some questions about his size and ability to hold up against NFL bull rushes. Fortunately, Andy Reid has shown the ability to develop interior offensive linemen, so the Chiefs may find value later in the draft and develop a starter out of them.
The greatest intersection of talent and need for Kansas City in the 2020 NFL draft comes at cornerback. The consensus top corner, Jeffery Okudah, will likely be a top 10 selection. After Okudah, the cornerback class has a handful of potential stars.
C.J. Henderson has been a hot name for the past month. Henderson has great size and athleticism, but questions about his physicality and willingness to tackle may turn some teams off. LSU’s Kristian Fulton has a slight edge over the rest of the group competing to be the third corner taken, but several people have TCU corner Jeff Gladney rated higher. Simply put, there are as many as 10 corners who would be excellent fits-and a potential day one starter- for Kansas City in the first two rounds.
While the positional value will be debated, the 2020 NFL Draft has a class of running backs who could come in and make the Chiefs offense even more dangerous. The group is headlined by a trio of backs offering different things: Jonathan Taylor from Wisconsin, JK Dobbins from Ohio State, and D’Andre Swift from Georgia. All have unique skill sets that would add competition to the backfield in Kansas City. FSU’s Cam Akers, Clyde Edwards-Helaire from LSU, and Maryland’s Anthony McFarland could prove valuable late on day 2.
The 2020 offensive tackle class could also be special. Four offensive tackles should be locks for the first round: Tristan Wirfs from Iowa, Jedrick Wills from Alabama, Louisville’s Mehki Becton, and Georgia’s Andrew Thomas. All four of these tackles would be the top of their class any other year, but they’ve found themselves grouped here. This also pushes a group of solid prospects down. Players like Josh Jones from Houston, USC’s Austin Jackson, and Boise State’s Ezra Cleveland could be tempting at the end of round 1 if other positions are depleted.
Finally, the Chiefs should look for long-term running mate for Frank Clark. The 2020 NFL Draft is lacking in the quicker speed rushers a lot of NFL teams covet, but some intriguing players could fit well in Steve Spagnuolo’s system. Iowa defensive end AJ Epenesa is a player to watch. Despite poor combine numbers, Epenesa had an impressive career at Iowa and showed great technique and the potential to set the edge well. Yetur Gross-Matos (Penn State) and Zack Baun (Wisconsin) could be interesting projects to develop. There are also a handful of players, like Tennessee’s Darrell Taylor, who could be day 2 values with high upside.
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