Thursday, April 14, 2022

Kansas City Chiefs 2022 NFL Mock Draft Roundup 7.0

Throughout the year and leading up to the 2022 NFL Draft, we will update our Kansas City Chiefs Mock Draft Roundup showing picks for the Kansas City Chiefs from several prominent sites and draft analysts.

The following are picks in recent mock drafts for the Chiefs:

ESPN - Mel Kiper (4/13)

29. Andrew Booth Jr., CB, Clemson

The loss in free agency of cornerback Charvarius Ward shouldn't go unnoticed. He had developed into a really solid player. The Kansas City defense improved as the 2021 season went along, but it has to get deeper in the secondary. Booth is a smooth 6-foot corner with good ball skills who played both outside and in the slot in college.

30. George Karlaftis, EDGE, Purdue

No wide receiver? Let me explain. First, the Chiefs also have two second- and two third-round picks. They could take one (or two) wide receivers with those selections. This is a deep class, and they could find better value there. And second, defensive end is a need as well. If Karlaftis is on the board, he'd be an ideal end next to Chris Jones, who does his best work from the interior. Karlaftis didn't always get home to quarterbacks last season (only 4.5 sacks), but he created pressures in their face.

The Draft Network - Keith Sanchez (4/13)

29. Boye Mafe, EDGE, Minnesota

The Chiefs need defensive help. The AFC West is loaded with good quarterbacks and explosive players. So they either have to draft a defensive back or an edge rusher.

They decide to go edge rusher here. Boye Mafe shows flashes of being a dominant edge rusher, and with a year of development can turn into a double-digit a year sack guy.

30. Christian Watson, WR, North Dakota State

The Chiefs traded away what some may say is the most explosive receiver in the NFL in Tyreek Hill and seem to be taking a receiver-by-committee approach to this year. Christian Watson is 6-foot-4 and runs 4.3s 40, which should give Patrick Mahomes a fun new weapon to target down the field so he can continue to create explosive plays.

NFL.com - Lance Zierlein (4/12)

TRADE - 23. Chris Olave, WR, Ohio State

You didn't think GM Brett Veach was going to just sit and wait at the back of the draft with all that capital (12 total picks, including Nos. 29 and 30 and six within the first 103), did you?

30. Boye Mafe, EDGE, Minnesota

With receiver out of the way, the Chiefs turn to bolstering the edge. Mafe's explosiveness and power are exciting traits for defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo to mold.

CBS Sports - Will Brinson (4/12)

29. Andrew Booth Jr., CB, Clemson

The Chiefs need WR help but not as much as people generally think. I'd bet they draft one with these picks but will potentially let the draft come to them.

30. Devin Lloyd, LB, Utah

Again, WR help is needed but the Chiefs also have a bad defense and added some guys at the position this offseason. They're not going to win the Super Bowl without more impact defensive players.

PFF - Anthony Treash (4/11)

29. Kyler Gordon, CB, Washington

Gordon may not have elite long speed, but he is an explosive and agile athlete with a high ceiling. He put up an 89.6 coverage grade in 2021 -- his first full season starting -- despite not being the most technically refined or instinctive corner. He still managed to produce at a borderline elite level in his last year at Washington, and he still has so much more room to grow.

30. Travon Walker, EDGE, Georgia

This is an unpopular opinion, but I am not comfortable with taking Walker any earlier than the end of Round 1.

The Georgia edge defender is in rare territory from a tools perspective. He clocked a 4.51-second 40-yard dash (97th percentile among edge historically), 35-inch vertical (76th), 10-foot-3 broad jump (85th), 4.32-second short shuttle (70th) and 6.89-second three-cone (93rd). He also has long arms that measure in at 35.5 inches.

But, from a technical standpoint, Walker is a risky bet. His pass-rush move arsenal is non-existent, with little to no natural feel. The 6-foot-5, 272-pounder relied on his length with the bull rush and long arm, but it still wasn't effective against college tackles, even with that advantage.

Despite playing for a historically good defense in 2021, the Georgia product still produced just a 66.1 pass-rush grade and an 11.2% win rate in his three years in Athens.

His lack of development while playing for an A-list program is a major concern. And while there's no denying what he can develop into with further top-notch coaching, it's likely going to be multiple years before Walker can fully maximize his physical gifts, if at all. A contender like Kansas City can take on this risk.

ESPN - Jordan Reid (4/11)

29. Boye Mafe, EDGE, Minnesota

An explosive and bendy edge rusher, Mafe could put his hand in the dirt or stand up as a 3-4 outside linebacker. His ability to shave the cup of the pocket and finish at the quarterback makes his traits appealing to the Chiefs, who are in need of consistent pass-rushers. He is also a strong-handed run defender and is consistent with slamming the door and pinning outside runs back inside.

30. Jahan Dotson, WR, Penn State

In search of replacing Tyreek Hill, the Chiefs are likely to do it by committee instead of finding one player who can fully satisfy that role. Dotson has some of Hill's traits. A precise route runner, he's creative with a lot of his movements in order to gain separation.

Outside of his 5-foot-11 size, there aren't a lot of holes to Dotson's game. Along with Drake London, he has the biggest catch radius of any receiver in this class. It's routine for him to catch passes well outside of the strike zone and put his body into uncomfortable spots in order to haul in throws.

CBS Sports - Ryan Wilson (4/11)

29. Devonte Wyatt, IDL, Georgia

Unfortunately, Wyatt doesn't play WR. But he is another player who changed some minds with his Senior Bowl week and he continued to convince folks of his first-round talents by putting on a show at the combine. Incredibly quick off the snap and powerful once he gets going, he can be unstoppable when he's on his game. We love the idea of him lining up alongside Chris Jones and Frank Clark.

30. Jahan Dotson, WR, Penn State

We like Dotson in the second round but the Chiefs aren't on the clock again until pick No. 50. Dotson only weighed in at 178 at the combine but he is a YAC machine who feels like he'll fit right into Andy Reid's offense.

MORE TEAMS: All NFL Team Mock Draft Roundups

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