Kansas City Chiefs NFL Draft Picks 2020: Round-by-Round Results, Grades
The defending champion Kansas City Chiefs were the last ones standing at the end of last season, winning their first Super Bowl title since the 1969-70 season. Now they'll try to do what no team has done since the 2004-05 season: repeat as champs.
The Chiefs didn't make a first-round selection in 2019, but their top second-round pick—wide receiver/return specialist Mecole Hardman—was a second-team All-Pro selection as a returner, with 704 kickoff return yards and one touchdown. He also added 26 catches for 538 yards (20.7 yards per catch) with six scores.
Even the best teams, of course, could stand to improve. According to The MMQB's AFC West team needs, the Chiefs ought to add improvements to their secondary, which needs replacements for Bashaud Breeland and Kendall Fuller. Alabama safety Xavier McKinney and LSU's Grant Delpit could be potential targets. Apart from the defensive backfield, Kansas City could look to bolster its pass rush by targeting an edge rusher.
Kansas City will pick No. 32 in this year's first round. You can follow along with Arrowhead Report's draft live blog.
A full list of the Chiefs' picks will be updated below as the draft progresses.
Round 1, Pick 32 (No. 32 overall): Clyde Edwards-Helaire, RB, LSU
Andy Benoit's analysis: Few probably expected the short-but-not-small Edwards-Helaire to be the first running back taken. But the LSU product has the type of burst, lateral agility and quickness to create his own space as a runner, and he is a diverse weapon in the passing game.
A gripe with this pick is that you can almost always find a quality tailback in the middle rounds (yes, that old song) and there were good defensive backs still on the board. That includes Alabama’s Xavier McKinney, who would have been an excellent replacement (stylistically) for underappreciated departed free agent Kendall Fuller. But let’s remember: You don’t get the 32nd pick without doing a few things right as a franchise. It’ll be interesting to look back on this one a few years from now. Grade: C-
Round 2, Pick No. 63: Willie Gay Jr., LB, Mississippi State
Andy Benoit's analysis: Gay has prototypical linebacker size but, more importantly, he plays with sideline-to-sideline speed, which is something Kansas City’s linebacking corps lacked last season. This pick was made with the hope that the Mississippi State product will eventually play all three downs. Don’t be surprised if that happens sooner than later. Grade: A-
Round 3, No. 96 overall: Lucas Niang, OT, TCU
Andy Benoit's analysis: Scouts are intrigued by Niang’s athleticism as a run-blocker, but there are some concerns about his footwork and quickness as a pass-blocker. This makes him like a lot of mid-round right tackles. Fortunately, the Chiefs are sound and deep along the O-line and likely won’t need to call on Niang in 2020. Grade: C+
Round 4, No. 138 overall: L'Jarius Sneed, S, Louisiana Tech
Round 5, No. 177 overall: Michael Danna, EDGE, Michigan
Round 7, No. 237 overall: Bopete Keyes, CB, Tulane
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