Kansas City Chiefs 2015 Mock Draft

Kansas City Chiefs 2015 Mock Draft

With the NFL draft seemingly out of reach, it is almost upon us and once again we do our yearly Chiefs full 7-round mock draft. We’ve tried to mix together a combination of what we would do, putting ourselves in the GM’s seat and what we think John Dorsey and his personnel team will do. With 10 draft picks this year, we have a lot of flexibility and the potential to really beef up an already strong Chiefs roster.

1 (18) ANDRUS PEAT (LT/RT), Stanford 6’7 312

The best ‘pure’ tackle in the class, with outstanding physical attributes and big potential. Excellent in the run game, a physical specimen who is comfortable dropping back to nullify pass rushers. Can come in and start on day 1 at right tackle and offers cover for injury of Eric Fisher if need be, having played on the left side in Palo Alto. Has some rough, raw edges that need to be polished, but that’s what NFL coaching staffs are paid to do.

(Backup Pick if Peat is taken by St Louis, Cleveland or San Diego: CAM ERVING C/G/T, Florida State or ERIC KENDRICKS ILB/UCLA)

2 (49) ERIC ROWE (CB,S) Utah 6’1 201

Excellent height, backed up with excellent speed, strong awareness, strong in coverage, has broken up a great deal of passes for the Utes. Also has the fluid hips needed and likes to make big hits in run defence, which will help the Chiefs additionally in an area they struggled in the absence of Derrick Johnson last year. Played at safety until his senior year, so brings much flexibility in being able to slot into the middle if required. (Backup: ALEX CARTER, CB/S, Stanford)

3 (80) JUSTIN HARDY (WR), East Carolina 6’0 188

In my view, the best route runner and the safest pair of hands in this draft class. An excellent player, who plays the position so intelligently, runs faultless routes, comes back for his quarterback and drops very rarely (dropped just 1 in every 35 passes in his career). Polished, Hardy struck up college football’s most deadly QB/WR duo last season and broke all school records for the Pirates.

3 (98) ANTHONY CHICKILLO (DT/DE), Miami 6’3 277

Former 5-star high school recruit, who was never used to his full effectiveness in college, but was a highly important player for the Hurricanes. Very good run defender, strong, tenacious with a never say die, relentless motor. Experienced as a 2 gap at the nose, even better as a 5-technique defensive end in the 3-4, he will give the Chiefs excellent versatility to be able to continue dialling a variety of attacking fronts. He would also be able to reduce Dontari Poe’s snaps and keep him fresh while hold the middle in odd fronts, while also able to shift outside to end if required, thus upgrading the defensive line at 2 spots and potentially energising an already all action, ultra dominant pro-bowler in Poe. I like the value here a lot.

4 (118) RAMIK WILSON (ILB) Georgia 6’2 232

A quick, one man tackling machine who has racked up an impressive number of stops on the Bulldogs’ defence. Wilson is able to keep his head above traffic and call on his very strong footballing awareness that allows him to be in the right place at the right time to make the stop. Reads the game so well and his speed is impressive to patrol sideline to sideline, always around the ball while able to pursue plays quickly.

5 (172) B.J FINNEY (C) Kansas State 6’4 303

Has been one of America’s toughest and strongest interior linemen who plays with a mean streak - just what the Chiefs need to supplement the great finesse they boast on offense. Blasts open running lanes and uses his body intelligently to move defenders around at the point of attack. Handled the best interior defensive line prospects well in the offseason. Will be able to play right away.

(Backup Plan: MAX GARCIA (C), Florida - just as nasty and physical!)

5 (173) MIKE GLOWINSKI (G) West Virginia

This pick is probably more in hope he’ll be available here than reality, but that said I’ve been hugely impressed with him. A first team All-Big 12 selection this past season. Glowinski is a wide bodied, never flashy but always consistent guard who can also play att ankle if needed. Tough and well built, he is fundamentally sound and very reliable in pass protection. If he is not still on the board then I’d take JOHN FELICIANO (G) Miami who is a highly effective and reliable player in both pass protection and in creating holes for Duke ‘Randy’ Johnson to exploit this year. With 2 5th round picks the Chiefs have added toughness and dependability and players who will push those on the roster currently.

6 (217) DARREN WALLER (TE/WR) Georgia Tech 6’6 424

Former wide receiver, Waller is a size/speed, physical specimen/mismatch who wins with his god given physical skill set. Not a polished player as yet who needs work in his route running which remains raw. Primarily will be an intriguing target for Alex Smith to throw the ball up to. Think of a much better value Devin Funchess. Can also line up outside if required. Travis Kelce is a good blocker in the pass game so KC can afford to target a predominantly pass catching tight end here. Could work out, it may not, but at this stage of the draft you are able to take risks which could pay dividends.

7 (233) BEN HEENEY (LB/ST) Kansas

One of the stars of the offseason, Heeney is a never say die player with the effort and all out enthusiasm that could well see him stick on an NFL roster, particularly thanks to his highly skilled special teams ability. An intelligent reader of the game who reacts well and makes the play. The fastest of all inside linebackers at the combine in Indianapolis. A very dependable, high motor prospect who would cost next to nothing with pick #233.

RYAN MUELLER (DE) Kansas State will also be an option with this pick and we know he attended the recent KC Chiefs local pro day thanks to his locality. Another high effort, strong, physical player who wins with his forceful enthusiasm.

If ZACH VIGIL (LB) Utah State is still available here, I’d have to take him over Heeney, but I expect him to be gone before #233.

This is just such a deep class this year, without the star power at the top, but once you get past the top 10-15 prospects, then there isn’t a lot of difference to the 3rd round after that. So, no pick in the mid to late first round should be labelled a ‘reach’ in my opinion. Players with 2nd round grades will be drafted on the opening day of the draft, it will depend more upon what teams prefer at that position. I think the Chiefs will come out of this draft with some really good players and that’s testament to the skill this organisation has shown in building a really strong roster, thanks to John Dorsey and the personnel department’s excellence in picking up waived/discarded talents that can come in and play right away over the last 2 years. We all have painful experience at how poor the preceding front office was at doing just this. Dorsey, Reid and their staff have done an excellent job to date, not only giving us 2 winning seasons but setting us up to be continually relevant for many years to come. Impressive since just 2 years ago we had the top pick in the draft. Not long now! We’ll be brining you a Chiefs-centric review of the draft class selected and the priority free agents signed shortly after the draft.