Hey! The draft is HERE! Time for the Kansas City Chiefs Eye in the Sky Report to swoop down and become the Eye in the Draft Room Report.

Time is short so let’s get to ‘drafting’!

The Chiefs possess a ridiculous 12 draft picks this year. I cannot for the life of me believe GM Brett Veach and Big Red Andy Reid will stand pat and use all 12 picks in this draft. Trades are sure to happen, and I think we will not need to wait long before Mr. Veach pulls the trigger on his first draft day deal.

As of this writing the Chiefs are set in the following draft slots:

1.29, 1.30

2.18, 2.30

3.30, 3.39

4.16, 4.30

7.12, 7.22, 7.30, 7.38

WOW! Bet the house Mr. Veach is conjuring up a move-up trade and there is a perfect partner that will be begging for more picks. The Carolina Panthers own the 6^th overall pick of the draft… that’s great! The Panthers’ dilemma is the team does not get back on the clock until round 4 and Carolina is in dire need of help in many positions. Owning doubles in rounds 1, 2, 3 and 4, Kansas City has exactly what the Panthers need, and the club can afford to lay down ‘house’ picks to move up to 6 and nail down exactly what Coach Andy needs for the 2022 season.

Now, since I cannot assume a trade will occur with Carolina and the Chiefs, between KC and any other team, I’m projecting this mock draft as-is, using all 12 picks right where they are. The Chiefs top needs are EDGE and D-line, Wide Receiver and the secondary.

So, let’s get to it!

The Chiefs suffered multiple personnel losses in the secondary this off-season. Gone are Tyrann Mathieu, Daniel Sorensen, Mike Hughes and Charvarius Ward. KC signed safety Justin Reid away from the Texans and ex-Bears’ special teams ace/sub-safety Deon Bush but the impact play of Mathieu needs to be replaced. GM Brett Veach gets the mission accomplished with the selection of Michigan safety Daxton Hill. Hill has CB-like traits, and some feel he will eventually end up on the corner. Hill is a dynamic athlete and arguably the best safety prospect in this draft. Hill is plug-n-play pro ready and there’s high-fiving going around the Chiefs war room with Daxton Hill in the tribe. Combine tale of the tape reveals Hill to measure 6' 0"-191 and fast as heck, posting a 4.38-forty. He tallied 69 total tackles, 4.5 TFL, 0.5 sack, 2 INT and 8 defended passes.

Just in case Hill is stolen from the Chiefs earlier, Baylor’s Jalen Pitre is the gem of Plan-B.

Defense gets another impact player as Mr. Veach pushes the WR need down a round. Kansas City’s pass rush needed a jolt of energy after posting the 4^th fewest sacks (31) in the league last season. This is the part where we talk about the big trade up… with Carolina. Now I don’t know what the details of what a move from 30 to 6 would look like, but I think the Panthers crew is desperate enough for quality additional picks and, with the Chiefs have an abundance of said picks, a deal can be consummated here. IF… a big fat I-F… if the Chiefs and Panthers could make this happen, Mr. Veach targets eitherTrevon Walker or Jermaine Johnson. But, maybe, just maybe, Minnesota’s BoyeMafe turns out to be every bit as good overall as either Walker or Johnson. Physically, Mafe matches up quite well with both Walker and Johnson, and in one explosive measure (vertical) proved better than both. He measured 6' 4"-261 with 32 5/8 Arms, busted a fantastic forty at 4.53 seconds andlaunched the vertical 38" at the Combine. Mafe’s outstanding Senior Bowl, Combine, and Pro Day efforts quietly had NFL scouts buzzing. Jermaine Johnson garnered much of the national love during his outstanding Senior Bowl works, and Trevon Walker captured big-time attention for his well-timed breakout performances at the Combine. While the national draft media shined bright lights on Walker and Johnson, Mafe’s warm glow of pro potential did not go unnoticed. Sans any trade shenanigans, BoyeMafe comes to Kansas City with a warm glow and a burning desire to get after AFC West QBs. He closed out his final college season with 34 total stops, 10.0 TFL and 7.0 sacks.

Plan-B? Oklahoma’s Nik Bonitto… and that ain’t bad.

Note again the number of DBs the Chiefs lost this off-season highlighted in the Daxton Hill selection (1:29).Roger McCreary doesn’t test like one of the top CBs in this draft but may end up being the best all-around corner to come out of this college pool in a couple of years. McCreary is a throwback CB, not the fastest, biggest or most skilled but aggressive, physical, annoying and confident. McCreary will press WRs and make life miserable down the sidelines. He’ll give up catches to taller receivers but make no mistake they will earn what they receive. Ball skills could be better and that may come as he gains experience and plays with better anticipation and cleaner footwork. McCreary just has the look of a Bill Belichick kind of CB, and that’s darn good enough for most NFL squads.His Combine measures are 5' 11"-190, 4.50-forty and he finished 2021 with 49 total tackles, 1 sack, 2 INTs with 1 returned for a score and McCreary knocked down 14 passes.

Always have a Plan-B ready to go and there are fine options available to GM Veach if McCreary is already claimed. Kaiir Elam (Florida) and Coby Bryant (Cincinnati) would be fine fits in the Chiefs secondary.

Khalil Shakir is a well-constructed wideout with a variety of skills and utilizations for a creative offensive coach, which Coach Andy is. Shakir is a starting quality WR, a legit rushing threat on sweeps and direct snaps in the backfield, a kick and punt returner and all-around playmaker. Shakir’s personality and character are sure to endear him to a coaching staff and teammates alike. The Boise State do-it-all is not as stocky or sudden as the 49ers’ Deebo Samuel, but he can deliver a lot of what Deebo does in his own superb way. He’s got good WR size at 6' 0"-196and ran a swift 4.43-forty at the Combine. Last year at Boise State Shakir caught 77 passes for 1117 yards, a fine 14.5 YPR and 7 TDs. He also ran the rock 21 times, gained 130 yards at 6.2 YPC. Shakir does it all; WR, RB, Wild Cat QB, route upfield or attack on jet sweeps and chip in punt and kick returns. Over his 4 years at Boise State Shakir rushed 71 times for 414yards, a 5.8 YPC and 4 TDs. Khalil Shakir is a tailor-made Z receiver who can thrive from the slot as well, but he is most apt to work the Z. He’s NOT Tyreek Hill, but Khalil Shakir is a gem of an offensive weapon in his own ways.Working in with Travis Kelce, JuJu Smith-Schuster, Marquez Valdes-Scantling and Mecole Hardman, Shakir becomes the wild-card weapon that many offenses are thriving with these days and is currently missing for the Chiefs.

Phidarian Mathis is a wide, power-packed run stopper. He can penetrate through the middle with a heavy punch and drive linemen back into the pocket. Mathis also shoots the gaps to invade a backfield. Measured 6' 4"-310 at the Combine. Mathis is stout with longer arms that deliver powerfulpunch. Coach Steve Spagnuolo will be thrilledwith the ‘Bama bull’s versatility, able to line up at DT or DE and do so with quality results. Mathis penetrates the pocket with power inside or power and technique around the edge. The Chiefs must generate pressure on enemy QBs, especially up the middle. In 2021 Mathis made 53 tackles, 10.5 for loss and got to QBs for 9.0 sacks. Add Phidarian Mathis alongside Chris Jones, Frank Clark (for one more year) and fellow rookie BoyeMafe and suddenly Kansas City is potentially can rush passers without resorting to blitzing for need.

Brian Asamoah projects as a 3-4 inside backer but he owns far more versatile tools than that narrow vision. In his own word, "I’m a new generation three-down linebacker. I can cover running backs and slots. My best attributes are my ability to read and diagnose plays as well as my coverage abilities."Asamoah’s speed and size also opens option as a box-safety in certain alignments. Asamoah has a nose for the football as far as direction goes, but his covering abilities are still developing and h comes to the Chiefs to hunt down and take down runners, which he does darn well. Measured 6' 0"-226 at the Combine, ran a 4.56-forty, 36.5"vertical, 10’4" broad jump and ran drills impressively. On the field Brian Asamoah is a fleet-footed 2-level LB who closes in on RBs swiftly and with great lateral range. He could be utilized as a box-safety in some defensive packages designed by Coach Spags. Last season at Oklahoma Asamoah rolled up 80 tackles, 3.5 TFL and 1.0 sack.

If the Chiefs are unable to secure Asamoah, Nebraska’s JoJo Domann makes for an awesome Plan-B.

Danny Gray got ‘emtalkin’ at the Combine with his 4.33-forty and though most NFL evaluators lump that time in with anything at or under 4.45, Gray’s 6’2 frame and aggressive ways of attacking the football in the air are darn attractive. Weighs in at 199 pounds and big mitts (9 5/8). Gray captured 49 passes for 803 yards, a sparkling 16.4 YPR and 9 TDs. He did have some drops issues but so did Tyreek Hill and Mecole Hardman. Gray’s size/speed combo is enticing and though Gray has some rough edges, good Chiefs’ coaching will refine this diamond-in-the-rough into a playmaking gem who catches more than the occasional gadget play. Gotta’ love Gray’s energy, his ‘want’ and ‘desire’ for the thrown football! I was not high on Gray at all but the more game cut-ups I watched, the more I liked what I saw. Danny Gray is a better receiver than anticipated and he ‘wants it’!

It would not be an Andy Reid influenced draft if an O-lineman were not taken somewhere in these 7 rounds, especially with 12 picks to play with. Coach Andy gets in Mr. Veach’s ear and not only lands his big ugly, he hauls in a good one. Louisiana’s Max Mitchellis a big (6' 6"-307), tough and tumble tackle who has played well on both flanks of the line. Mitchell is the leader type, once again, perfect trait under Coach Reid. Mitchell has long arms and a quick jolting punch. He does get a bit over-anxious, rushing forward while mirroring instead of waiting for the rush to come to him, but he’s smart and coachable. Mitchell played RT exclusively last year and earned 1^st-team All-Conference and 3^rd-team APAll-American honors. He’s a forceful, accomplished run-blocker and has the athleticism to flip to the portside if called on. Big, long, talented and under the watchful eyes of the 2 Andys, Reid and O-line coach Andy Heck, Max Mitchell is yet another middle of the pack lineman project likely to come out of the Chiefs coaching shop a top-flight OT.Kansas City looks pretty set across the line with Orlando Brown on the left and LucasNiang projected on the right. The depth is solid, bolstered by Andrew Wylie and Prince TegaWanogho but Coach Reid is always on the lookout for line talent.

D’Marco Jackson's hard-charging, sometimes undisciplined ways create big hits, an abundance of TFLs but also some missed stops and big gainers against. Some draft analyzers knock down Jackson’s potential due to a majority of his tackles being assists, suggesting he arrives late on plays. A deeper dive into his game cut ups proves that conclusion incorrect. A LB does not rack up 20 TFL and 6 sacks in a season or defend 11 passes over the last 2 campaigns being late to the party. D’Marco Jackson brings it and has all the makings of a seek-n-destroy inside backer, 3-4 or 4-3. Athletic build at 6' 1"-233. Ran a 4.55-forty. D’Marco Jackson is a monster in the middle, a tackling machine who routinely ignores blocks and gets to the runner in ill-will. He shoots out of a cannon into gaps and wrecks runs early with his tough guy attitude. Jackson even drops into coverage with some man capabilities. His pass rush is opportune, swift and violent upon arrival. Mr. Veachgot a true rough gem here who last year produced 119 tackles, 20.0 TFL, 6.0 sacks, 1 INT and defended 5 passes. IF… IF D’Marco lasts to this far in the draft it would be a miracle, but hey!

Tyler Allgeier had one of the most outstanding ‘all-hustle’ plays of 2021, chasing down a defender with a scooped up fumble, leaping from behind and punching the ball out after a 40+ yard high-speed chase. Offensively, Tyler Allgeier is a compact playmaker with a keen nose for the endzone. He’s proven to be durable and though not ‘big’ on height, Allgeier’s stocky, rugged build is tailor-made for the full complement of NFL touches out of the backfield. Clyde-Edwards-Helaire at LSU is a smart comparison. Coincidence? The 5' 11"-220 BYU back ran the Combine forty in 4.6 seconds. Last season of college play he racked up 276 carries, 1601 yards, 5.8 YPC and an astounding 23 TDs. Added 28 catches for 199 yards receiving. Over his last 2 years at BYU Tyler Allgeiertallied up a combined 3104 YFS and 36 TDs, in 24 games. He is a compact dynamo with a low base and powerful leg drive. Piled up over 190 rushing yards 4 times in 2021, including 2 contests of 200+. With all that why would Allgeier still be on the board in the 7^th round? Well, he’s a RB and that position not longer carries much weight and value on draft days.

Should Tyler Allgeier not be on the board, Mr. Veach implements Plan-B, USC’s Keaontay Ingram.

A QB? Really? Is Coach Andy concerned about Patrick Mahomes’ future with the Chiefs? Heck no! But Coach Reid almost always adds a developmental QB late in drafts or as a priority signing post-draft. He has had a long-standing view that HIS young backup QBs are valued around the league and could be a trading chip at some future point. Cole Kelley is a long, tall drink of QB water, standing strong at 6’7"-249. After spending 2 years as a backup at Arkansas Kelley transferred to SE Louisiana and was featured in the redzone, throwing 10 TDs and tallying 10 more rushing. He took control of the offense the next season (2020) then exploded bigtime last season. Everything about Kelley is big, including his 2021 performance for SE Louisiana. Kelley was sniper-sharp on his 552 shots, hitting his targets at a 73.6% clip. Those passes went for 5124 yards (9.3 YPA), 44 TDs and just 10 INTs. Kelley’s length did not hinder his mobility, proving to be not only a towering presence but a well-coordinated one, rushing for 491 yards and 16 scores. Kelley may be just hitting his stride as a productive QB, one who can make it as a pro. Playing against FCS defenses Kelley needed to dominate to be considered as a prospect and he did exactly that. His biggest hurdle comes in reading defenses and going through progressions then coming to a good passing decision. Coach Reid and company can bring Kelley up-to-speed there. NFL coaches have been dipping into the play designs of the college ranks and there may be a pro club that likes how Kelley was utilized in the redzone and install a similar package with the tall, rangy QB in mind. Cole Kelley is hard to miss out there on the field and he has a real chance to be noticed in the NFL soon.Kelley performed well at the Combine, well-enough to draw new interest around the league. QB prospect with his dimensions have never panned out in the past, but Cole Kelley has much more coordination and natural athletic skills to change that fact. He is worth a late round look by Kansas City.

Dontario Drummondoffers a lot of WR play, some return game action, the odd jet sweep and even a pass or 2. He is a sturdy, tough and productive competitior who was the #1 target of 2022 top QB prospect Matt Corral. Drummond is another of the new-wave RB-like receivers who can make plays in assorted ways. Drummond taped out at 6' 1"-220 at the Combine. His speed was disappointing in the forty, just 4.65 seconds. On the real field Drummond is fast enough, catching 76 passes for 1028 yards, a solid 13.5 YPR and 8 TDs. Ran the rock 6 times at 6.7 YPR and a TD. He is a quiet playmaker in a variety of ways. Drummond has after-catch vision and tackle-breaking chops and has proven he knows how to find the open zones and work back to his QB. There’s some Jarvis Landry there but with more fluidity. Drummond doesn’t have the flashy wheels to race swifter pro LBs to the edges but he has nuance and power to consistently gain positive yards on sweeps, hitches and working between the numbers and is a late round pick with slot receiver ability.

Other WR options for Mr. Veach at this late juncture are Isaiah Weston or Romeo Doubs (if still available).

So there it is, 7 rounds and 12 picks. Yeah, no way Coach Reid and GM Veach sit tight with 12 picks, especially 4 in the 7^th and no action until then once round 4 is in the books. The fun begins Thursday when the first round kicks off the 2022 draft.

Sit back and enjoy the process.

End.