Kansas City Chiefs take LB in Todd McShay's 2016 mock draft

It's never too early for mock drafts, at least if you judge things by what everyone else is doing, which means ESPN's Todd McShay has already put out his first mock for the 2016 NFL Draft.

A few things here are important to note. First of all, McShay and his partner/frenemy Mel Kiper Jr. both rated among the top three most accurate analysts in recent mock drafts, at least according to this metric. If that gives one 2016 mock draft more credibility than another, then there you go.

Secondly, McShay has the Chiefs predicted to have a 9-7 record and selecting at No. 24 overall. That's not in the Super Bowl, but it does predict the Chiefs fielding a very competitive team with few holes. Perhaps that's why he has John Dorsey addressing a position like inside linebacker in the first round with the selection of Notre Dame's Jaylon Smith. McShay writes:

Smith has flashed a lot of raw talent during his Notre Dame career, and has played both inside and outside linebacker in the Fighting Irish defense. He'd fit best as a weak inside linebacker in the Chiefs' 3-4 defense.

At this point, the Chiefs might not disagree since they selected two players slated to compete on the inside next to a rehabbing Derrick Johnson in fourth-round pick Ramik Wilson from Georgia and fifth-round selection D.J. Alexander out of Oregon State.

Smith was a AP Second Team All-American in 2014 and was also voted as Notre Dame's Defensive Player of the Year. He led the team with 112 total tackles, including 9 tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks.