The NFL combine generates a lot of noise, and most of it is just that. For the Kansas City Chiefs, however, the post-combine buzz is providing some information that could go a long way toward clarifying the Chiefs’ priorities and plans, according to Jesse Newell of The Athletic.
Start with the part that’s easy to decipher. GM Brett Veach listed the Chiefs’ positional priorities as running back and defensive line, but there’s a lot more going on beneath the surface of those comments.
According to Newell, the Chiefs are likely to target the interior of the defensive line, which another sneaky priority. Tackle Chris Jones will be 32, and Newell added that an injury to rising second-round pick Omar Normal-Lott put the Chiefs in an “untenable spot” as they were forced to rely on unproductive veterans.
The situation is better on the edge. The Chiefs apparently still believe in edge rusher George Karlaftis, who didn’t come through with the sack production Kansas City was expecting, but a thumb injury hampered his performance. Third-round pick Ashton Gillotte showed more consistently down the stretch, according to Newell, and he could be part of the edge-rushing solution if he continues to improve.
The writer also says he’d be surprised if the Chiefs don’t use a Day 1 or 2 draft pick to address the interior issues, and he pointed to the New England Patriots’ decision to pay defensive tackle Milton Williams as a key part of their unexpected Super Bowl run.
The running back situation is completely different. Half the mock drafts that have been floated in the last couple of weeks have the Chiefs taking Notre Dame running back Jeremiah Love with the ninth pick, but Newell states that the Chiefs won’t be “pigeonholed” into taking him in April because they ignored the running-back problem in March.
That means there could be an addition this month to solidify the running back situation, but the level of excitement will vary widely according to who it is. Running back Breece Hall is the name at the top of nearly every free-agency wishlist, but adding him would be very out of character for Kansas City.
That ninth pick is the source of considerable selection, so much so that Veach turned the question of who he’d select back on the writers covering the team. (This happened off camera, unfortunately, Newell added.)
Defensive end Ruben Bain is one hot name currently being floated, and the writer says the Chiefs will carefully research the top receivers, with Carnell Tate, Jordyn Tyons and Makai Lemon being the big names.
That pick is Kansas City’s hole card, though, so don’t expect much meaningful information between now and the end of April, although Veach did have an interesting though on the Chiefs’ draft position, saying “Man, if we were just at 4 or 5, we’d be exactly where we want to be.”