The Chiefs will think long and hard about adding a quarterback with their top pick. Could Kizer be their guy?
Quarterback Alex Smith probably has just one more season left to prove himself before the Chiefs need to consider a younger option for the future. Since there’s no player like that on the current roster, G.M. John Dorsey and Coach Andy Reid should plan ahead by grabbing one later this week.
Key additions
- DT Bennie Logan
Key subtractions
- DL Jaye Howard
- QB Nick Foles
- NT Dontari Poe
- RB Jamaal Charles
Priority needs (Offense)
QB…Since the Chiefs have no glaring issues that require immediate impact with their first-round pick I can see them landing one of the top four quarterbacks in this class. If they decide to wait a bit longer to take one, keep an eye on either Davis Webb or Joshua Dobbs.
RB…With former star Jamaal Charles heading elsewhere, the Chiefs need to find his ultimate successor and it’s not Spencer Ware. Unless they decide to take another chance on a problem child athlete with their first pick (Joe Mixon), Dorsey will undoubtedly add at least one a bit later in this deep draft class. Keep in mind while the Tyreek Hill experiment has worked so far, he was a 5th-round pick and the risk was not as big an issue as it will be at 27. I also expect players like Jeremy McNichols and Donnel Pumphrey to be on the Dorsey/Reid radar since they like adding versatile speedy playmakers to the roster.
WR…Jeremy Maclin is a fine player, but the Chiefs need more downfield weapons in the arsenal. Chris Godwin and Curtis Samuel could be top first-round options while Zay Jones, Cooper Kupp and DeDe Westbrook would be ideal in the second or third-rounds.
Priority needs (Defense)
CB…Philip Gaines has not elevated his game enough the way Steven Nelson has and the Chiefs need to look for a potential successor on day two or three.
DL…With Dontari Poe in Atlanta, Jaye Howard recently let go and newly acquired Bennie Logan on a one-year deal, this is a big issue spot for the Chiefs. Chris Wormley would make sense with their top pick with Dalvin Tomlinson a possibility at 59, and there are several other good prospects available a bit later too (see Denver).
LB…The Chiefs terrible cap situation will become more evident when they’ll have to part ways with Tamba Hali and Derrick Johnson. Both players are still rock-solid contributors when they’re healthy, but that hasn’t been the case lately and therefore both players need to be replaced soon. Ramik Wilson is getting ready to take over as the inside leader, but Dee Ford has yet to establish himself outside. Zach Cunningham is the top inside option at 27 while even more options are available on the outside including Charles Harris, Takkarist McKinley and TJ Watt. Also keep an eye on Alabama linebackers Ryan Anderson and Tim Williams in the third and fourth rounds.
Final analysis
I fully expect the Chiefs will think long and hard about adding a quarterback with their top pick. If they do I hope Deshaun Watson is still available. Andy Reid would be the best thing to happen to Watson because if anyone can develop a quarterback with his skill set and help him to maximize his abilities to the best way possible it’s Reid. If they don’t decide to draft a QB at 27 then more linebackers and offensive weapons are the likely secondary possibilities.
Top first-round options
- CB Fabian Moreau
- DL Chris Wormley
- LB Zach Cunningham
- LB Charles Harris
- LB Takkarist McKinley
- LB TJ Watt
- QB DeShone Kizer
- QB Patrick Mahomes
- QB Deshaun Watson
- RB Joe Mixon
- WR Chris Godwin
- WR Curtis Samuel
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