Kansas City Chiefs – 5 Biggest NFL Draft Needs
The two-time AFC champions don’t need much, but the Kansas City Chiefs have a few holes to fill in the 2021 NFL Draft.
5. Coverage linebacker
Throughout their latest runs, the Kansas City Chiefs hasn’t been able to cover tight ends and backs. In fact, the Chiefs really haven’t been able to deal with these matchups since Derrick Johnson tore his Achilles tendon at the end of the 2016 season. Right now, the job falls on second-year man Willie Gay and veteran Ben Niemann. The former is equipped skill-wise but is raw, and the latter simply can’t move well enough.
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4. Cornerback
Kansas City isn’t in a dire situation here, but adding another corner with a top-100 pick wouldn’t be a bad idea. The Chiefs can still bring back veteran Bashaud Breeland, who remains on the open market after a pair of one-year deals with the team. He’s been solid in his stint with the AFC champs, but being on the wrong side of 30 and lacking major credentials (Pro Bowls, All-Pros) has hindered his ability to cash in. Without Breeland, the Chiefs have star L’Jarius Sneed and Charvarius Ward on the outside with Rashad Fenton playing in the slot.
3. Wide receiver
This might surprise some, but it’s reality. The Chiefs lost Sammy Watkins this offseason and are looking at a three-wide set of Tyreek Hill (amazing), Mecole Hardman (decent) and Demarcus Robinson (meh). Now, having Travis Kelce at tight end makes that group look much better, but adding a No. 2 receiver would allow Hardman to shine in the slot while Robinson rotates in on the outside.
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2. Edge rusher
Now we’re into the big needs. The Chiefs have Frank Clark on a $105 million deal, and while he’s been Lawrence Taylor in the postseason, he’s been average in the regular season. Chris Jones and Jarran Reed are legitimately fantastic inside, but that still leaves another edge to be filled. Kansas City could use its first-round pick to strengthen this area, and should certainly spend a top-100 pick on it.
1. Left tackle
It’s hard to rank anything above left tackle. The last time we saw the Chiefs, we watched Patrick Mahomes running for his life. Eric Fisher has been released and while he’s a candidate to return in the summer, Kansas City would be well-advised to find a tackle in this loaded class. If it does so successfully, the Chiefs will be the massive odds-on favorite to reach their third Super Bowl in as many years.
