2020 NFL Draft: 5 ways Kansas City Chiefs could go in the first round

The Kansas City Chiefs are the reigning world champs for the first time in 50 years.

Needless to say, general manager Brett Veach doesn’t have many holes to fill. Especially after keeping almost the entire roster intact. However, with the 2020 NFL Draft beginning on April 23, the Chiefs have a few areas they can address either for now or the future.

Here are the five which make the most sense in the first round:

5. EDGE rusher

Kansas City doesn’t have an immediate need here. Frank Clark is one of the league’s best players, and Alex Okafor is a good contributor coming off a torn pectoral. However, there isn’t much behind them on the depth chart. Third-year pro Breeland Speaks missed all of last season and looked lost as a rookie. Emmanuel Ogbah was a nice rotational player but left in free agency for the Miami Dolphins.

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This only leaves Tanoh Kpassagnon as a meaningful name behind Okafor and Clark. If the Chiefs see value here, it’s not a bad move.

4. Offensive tackle

Eric Fisher could be a cap casualty after 2020 and Mitchell Schwartz while great, only have two years remaining on his deal and is approaching 31 years old. The Chiefs would be drafting a swing tackle for his rookie season but someone who could turn into a starter come 2021.

If someone such as Josh Jones of Houston falls to the 32nd spot, Veach would have to think long and hard about whether it makes sense to go that direction. The Chiefs are one of the rare teams who could draft for the future and still win now.

3. Interior offensive line

Now we’re getting to the immediate needs. Kansas City won the Super Bowl last year despite dealing with sub-optimal play directly in front of superstar quarterback Patrick Mahomes. The Chiefs are in need of both a guard and center — and in that order — with Cesar Ruiz of Michigan being a perfect fit. If Ruiz isn’t there, the Chiefs may not see the right value at 32nd-overall, but it’s certainly a need.

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2. Cornerback

Kansas City re-signed Bashaud Breeland last week, but the Chiefs still have a long-term need there. Charvarius Ward and Breeland are quality options on the perimeter while second-year man Rashad Fenton looks poised to be a quality player. However, there’s no discernible depth behind them, leaving Kansas City exposed if there’s an injury.

1. Linebacker

Kansas City doesn’t have a linebacker who can cover. If Zack Baun, Patrick Queen or Kenneth Murray is there when the Chiefs come on the clock, this is a slam dunk. Anthony Hitchens has proven a quality player in the middle, but the lack of coverage skills among this group is glaring. Adding one of the three aforementioned players would be a huge boost.