The Kansas City Chiefs may have missed the playoffs for the first time in more than a decade, but the disappointing season did give them a rare opportunity to grab talent at the top end of the NFL Draft.
The Chiefs hold the No. 9 overall pick, the team’s first pick inside the top 10 since picking No. 1 overall in 2013. Some experts believe they will use it to reload on offense, grabbing an athletic receiver who could be an asset to quarterback Patrick Mahomes
Chiefs Add Speedy WR in Mock Drafts
In his mock draft for NFL.com, former NFL player turned analyst Bucky Brooks predicted the Chiefs would land Ohio State wide receiver Carnell Tate. Brooks wrote that he would give the Chiefs an athletic deep threat who would fit in well alongside Xavier Worthy.
“The acrobatic pass catcher could add another dimension to the Chiefs’ passing game as a big-play threat,” Brooks wrote. “Tate’s speed and explosion would enable Kansas City to run various combination routes with Xavier Worthy and the Ohio State standout creating and exploiting mismatches on the perimeter.”
Others agree with the prediction. Henry McKenna of Fox Sports also mocked Tate to the Chiefs, noting that it would be an investment in Mahomes.
“The Chiefs invest yet again in their passing game to support quarterback Patrick Mahomes,” McKenna wrote.
NFL.com analyst Lance Zierlein projected Tate to become an immediate starter in the NFL, noting that he has good size and athleticism to go along with “effortless” pass catching.
“He builds momentum quickly on intermediate and deep routes, utilizing speed and tempo to pressure cornerbacks,” Zierlein wrote. “He can win over the top on verticals or separate over the first two levels with route savvy and separation burst. Tate tracks throws at top speed and makes his adjustments to run under them. He combines timing, body control and catch radius to dominate air space and consistently lands on the winning side of contested catches.”
The Chiefs could have a need for another steady pass-catcher, depending on whether tight end Travis Kelce opts for retirement or returns to the team. Kelce is expected to make a decision in the coming days, but has not given any public indiation about what he’ll choose.
Chiefs Could Address Other Needs
Some analysts believe the Chiefs will address the defensive side of the ball with their top draft pick. Analyst Trevor Sikkema of Pro Football Focus predicted they would land Florida defensive tackle Caleb Banks, who proved himself after recovering from a foot injury.
Sikkema suggested that Banks could become a force in the middle for the Chiefs, pairing well with Chris Jones on the defensive line.
“Banks has been one of the most consistent risers throughout the draft process, mainly due to being a ‘faller’ during the season since he was limited by a foot injury,” Sikkema wrote. “At the Senior Bowl and now at the combine, he displayed impressive athletic ability with massive size. He’s in the top-15 conversations as the top defensive tackle in the class. He could be very hard to stop next to Chris Jones.”
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