2022 NFL Draft: Kansas City Chiefs Recap and UDFA Tracker
The 2022 NFL Draft has officially ended, and the Kansas City Chiefs entered it with sky-high expectations. Following the trade of wide receiver Tyreek Hill to the Miami Dolphins, Kansas City was sending the rest of the NFL a message that it was betting on itself to retool through the draft. Heading into Thursday night with a whopping 12 picks to work with, general manager Brett Veach quickly got to work.
Many would assess this draft class as Veach's best, as he found a good mix of floor and upside while finding players who can help the Chiefs both now and later. Let's recap what Kansas City is gaining this year not only from the seven-round draft, but also from the undrafted free agent market.
Round 1: Trent McDuffie (CB, Washington), George Karlaftis (EDGE, Purdue)
Nov 28, 2020; Seattle, Washington, USA; Washington Huskies defensive back Trent McDuffie (22) reacts following a turnover on downs against the Utah Utes during the third quarter at Alaska Airlines Field at Husky Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports
The Chiefs didn't anticipate Trent McDuffie being on the board within striking distance, and they pounced on the opportunity to move up and get him with the 21st overall pick. McDuffie is a bit undersized for a boundary cornerback — where Kansas City plans to try him out initially — but he's a terrific athlete, a smart player and a willing tackler. He has immense potential as a reliable option for years to come.
George Karlaftis is a sturdy and confident defensive end whose motor never runs low. He's one of the strongest defensive ends from this year's class and is a solid athlete to boot. Karlaftis fits exactly what defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo looks for at the position, and he'll likely play a large number of snaps in year one while working to improve his game for the future.
Round 2: Skyy Moore (WR, Western Michigan), Bryan Cook (S, Cincinnati)
Western Michigan wide receiver Skyy Moore (24) receives a pass during the Battle for the Cannon between Western Michigan and Central Michigan on Saturday, Sept. 28, 2019 at Waldo Stadium in Kalamazoo, Mich. Wmuvscmu02
Skyy Moore was a name who very well could've been called in the first round, and his slide was fortunate for the Chiefs. He's a plus-plus route runner who is seemingly always open, and he tested quite well in speed drills heading into the draft. Not only can he step in and instantly improve the team's receiver room, but he projects to build chemistry with quarterback Patrick Mahomes rather quickly.
With Maryland's uber-athletic safety Nick Cross on the board when the Chiefs took Bryan Cook, the team is putting a lot of faith in the latter's ability to impact a game. Cook has good size in the defensive backfield and has experience both in the slot and up high as a safety. With that said, his ultimate (and best) role in Kansas City may be as an enforcer in the box. Cook processes action quickly, has a quick trigger and is a hard-hitting option. He'll be a good replacement for what the team is losing with the departure of Daniel Sorensen.
Round 3: Leo Chenal (LB, Wisconsin)
Oct 16, 2021; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Army Black Knights running back Tyson Riley (32) is tackled by Wisconsin Badgers linebacker Leo Chenal (5) during the first quarter at Camp Randall Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
Once pick No. 100 passes, it's hard to get a gauge on what teams are actually getting. That isn't the case for Leo Chenal, as the Chiefs will be receiving a player who posted one of the best linebacker Relative Athletic Score measurements in over three decades. Chenal will primarily serve as a SAM (strong-side) linebacker in Spagnuolo's defense, which frees up WILL (weak-side) duties for Willie Gay Jr. While he won't see a huge amount of snaps due to defenses spending a lot of time in sub-packages, Chenal can win when attacking downfield or as a blitzer, and that should allow him to still be a difference-maker for the Chiefs.
Round 4: Joshua Williams (CB, Fayetteville State)
Feb 1, 2022; Mobile, AL, USA; National defensive back Joshua Williams of Fayetteville State (30) defends against National running back Rachaad White of Arizona State (3) during National practice for the 2022 Senior Bowl at Hancock Whitney Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vasha Hunt-USA TODAY Sports
Joshua Williams is an athletic, long and rangy cornerback who should endear himself to the Chiefs early and often. Under Spagnuolo, there's been a trend of the team bringing in long corners and ironing out some of the kinks in their game. Williams is going to experience a huge jump in competition and may not see the field a ton in year one but on the other hand, being thrown into the fire could be what's best for his development. At any rate, Kansas City got a high-upside defensive back in round four.
Round 5: Darian Kinnard (OT, Kentucky)
UK senior offensive lineman Darian Kinnard. Aug. 6, 2021 Kinnard Darian Uk Football139
Darian Kinnard saw a Trey Smith-esque slide down this year's board, but the Chiefs had seen enough and even traded up to grab the Kentucky offensive lineman. Kinnard is a seasoned player with great size and a mean streak to his game. He isn't a great athlete and may need a little bit of work but with Lucas Niang's recovery from a knee injury being an X-factor, Kinnard very well could see opportunities to compete for reps. His outside-inside versatility is also an added bonus for the Chiefs.
Round 7: Jaylen Watson (CB, Washington State), Isiah Pacheco (RB, Rutgers), Nazeeh Johnson (S, Marshall)
Feb 5, 2022; Mobile, AL, USA; National Squad cornerback Jaylen Watson of Washington State (0) breaks up a pass intended for American squad wide receiver Jalen Tolbert of South Alabama (8) in the first half at Hancock Whitney Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports
Jaylen Watson is a toolsy cornerback who possesses — you guessed it — ample length and athleticism to be a factor in the NFL. As a seventh-round pick, he naturally has work to do, but this yet another example of Veach finding awesome value so late. Isiah Pacheco had an impressive NFL Combine experience and will look to latch on in with a running back group that is suddenly deep again. Nazeeh Johnson is another athletic defensive back who will have a chance to show that profile off during training camp and possibly the preseason.
UDFA Tracker
6:18 PM Saturday: Per Tom Pelissero of NFL Network, the Chiefs' first reported UDFA signing is South Dakota State linebacker Jack Cochrane.
6:21 PM Saturday: Per Aaron Wilson of Pro Football Network, Maryland running back Tayon Fleet-Davis is signing with the Chiefs.
6:30 PM Saturday: Iowa State linebacker Mike Rose is headed to the Chiefs, per Nick Osen of 247Sports.
6:53 PM Saturday: UVA/Harvard running back Devin Carrington has been invited to Chiefs rookie minicamp, per Matt Lombardo.
7:15 PM Saturday: The Chiefs are bringing in a quarterback, as Kent State's Dustin Crum is signing with the team. Nick Camino of WKYC-TV first reported the news.
7:41 PM Saturday: Skyy Moore won't be the only Western Michigan player joining the Chiefs following draft week. Offensive lineman Mike Caliendo is joining the team, he announces.
8:26 PM Saturday: Per Wilson, the Chiefs are inviting Northwestern State wide receiver Kendrick Price to rookie minicamp.
8:32 PM Saturday: The Chefs are signing UIW wide receiver Trevor Begue, per the university football team's Twitter account.
9:07 PM Saturday: Per Herbie Teope of The Kansas City Star, the Chiefs have agreed to terms with Hawaii offensive lineman Gene Pryor.
9:12 PM Saturday: Per Doug Kyed of Pro Football Focus, the Chiefs are signing Ole Miss running back Jerrion Ealy as an undrafted free agent.
9:32 PM Saturday: Per his agent Chelsea Townsend, Tulane defensive back Jaylon Monroe has been invited to Chiefs rookie minicamp.
11:21 PM Saturday: Another Western Michigan wideout is signing with the Chiefs, as Echelon Sports, Inc. announces it for Bryce Nunnelly.
9:27 AM Sunday: Safety Qua Brown is signing with the Chiefs, as announced by the official Southern Illinois football team Twitter account.
9:32 AM Sunday: United Athlete Sports Agency shares that Virginia offensive lineman Chris Glaser has been invited to Chiefs rookie minicamp.
11:13 AM Sunday: Per his own Twitter announcement, Boston College defensive end Brandon Barlow has received an invitation to Chiefs rookie minicamp.
11:18 AM Sunday: Former Wake Forest defensive back Nasir Greer has signed with the Chiefs, per Stockbridge Football.
12:11 PM Sunday: Per Merrimack Football's official Twitter account, defensive back Caleb Holden is signing with the Chiefs.
1:03 PM Sunday: Northern Colorado defensive back Komotay Koffie is signing with the Chiefs, he shares on Twitter.
2:30 PM Sunday: Per Campbell University associate head coach Braxton Harris, Howard Payne wideout Jake Parker received an invite to Chiefs rookie minicamp.
4:41 PM Sunday: Wilson reports that Sam Houston State defensive tackle Joe Wallace has been invited to Chiefs rookie minicamp.
6:53 PM Sunday: Weber State Football's official Twitter account announces that linebacker Sherwin Lavaka has been invited to Chiefs rookie minicamp.
7:01 PM Sunday: Per Benjamin Allbright of KOA Colorado, the Chiefs are bringing in UCLA linebacker Jordan Genmark Heath.
9:27 PM Sunday: NC Central University's official athletics Twitter account shares that wide receiver Ryan McDaniel has received an invitation to Chiefs rookie minicamp.
9:49 PM Sunday: Per Robert Collias of The Maui News, Nevada defensive lineman Tristan Nichols has received an invite to Chiefs rookie minicamp.
11:25 AM Monday: Per Jordan Schultz, the Chiefs are signing former Clemson wideout Justyn Ross to their 90-man roster.
This story will be continually updated with undrafted free agent news.
