2019 NFL Draft: Projected First Round after NFL Combine

The Chiefs were arguably the best team in football last season (they finished No. 1 in DVOA), led by MVP Patrick Mahomes. Their defensive shortcomings ultimately cost them, though, as they fell just short in the AFC Championship Game to the Patriots.

The Chiefs boasted a dynamic pass rush, but their secondary was constantly torched. They had no answer for Tom Brady and the Patriots in the fourth quarter and overtime. Kansas City finished the year ranked 31st in pass defense, something they will have to remedy going forward if they want to get over the hump and win a Super Bowl.

A player of the caliber of Georgia’s DeAndre Baker being available with their pick near the end of the first round should make this decision pretty easy for the Chiefs. Baker is a step below Greedy Williams and Byron Murphy, but he would still represent tremendous value at this point of the first round. The drop-off after him to the next tier of corners is pretty steep, making it all the more likely that if the draft unfolds this way that they would pull the trigger on him.

With Eric Berry’s struggles to stay healthy, the Chiefs could also be in the market for a safety. Florida’s Chauncey Gardner-Johnson could be intriguing with his ability to play both safety and slot corner; his versatility has seen him rise up draft boards in recent weeks.

If Michigan’s Devin Bush fell to this point, Kansas City would be left with a tough decision as he could be the leader in the middle of their defense that they’ve been lacking. With him gone, the next best available middle linebacker is Alabama’s Mack Wilson, but it would be a reach to use a first round pick on him.