With the 28th pick in the 2016 Arrowhead Pride mock draft, Chiefs GM KelceKrazies selects...
Mississippi State DL Chris Jones
The overlying theme in the last two Kansas City playoff losses was a poor pass rush by the Chiefs front line. Conveniently that also came with Justin Houston being hurt for both games, but the interior DL presence was heathy and played a minimal role. The NFL is seeing first hand that 3-4 defensive linemen don't have to be one dimensional run stuffers that can't pressure QBs.
As much as we love Jaye Howard and Allen Bailey here in KC, both guys are pocket pushers that provide very little pass rush on their own. We need to remedy that situation and fast, enter Chris Jones the behemoth of a man from Mississippi State.
Chris Jones is still super raw as an overall player coming in at just over 1,000 snaps in the past two years. His technique is still inconsistent and his overall motor can range from game to game. That didn't stop him from being an absolute force against Power-5 competition last year, especially as a pass rusher.
Where he wins: Jones has an incredibly long wingspan (34.5") that he uses to make first contact and transfer his stench and length to power often times tossing offensive linemen aside. His swim and rip moves are exceptionally powerful constantly knocking blockers hands from their mark.
The next level of his "winning" comes from his explosion off the snap which he can translate to power and speed. When he comes off the ball low, he's either blowing through the gap or moving offensive linemen.
Where he needs work: The part about Chris Jones being raw can be best seen in his pad level. Too often Jones can get tall off the snap and become stationary, while not a total loss for a DT in the NFL being 6'6 and upright will get you pushed backward. A lot of that can be remedied by moving out from NT and to a 3 or 5 tech spot. His motor can vary from nonstop (Missouri and Arkansas games) to very iffy, it's something that can be worked out at the next level.
Where he fits with us: Jones will come in and be a rotational guy on day one along the DL. He should see the majority of the third down snaps whether it be next to just Poe in two man fronts or for Bailey or Howard in traditional alignments. He'll do his best work shooting though the B or C gaps allowing our edge guys to face one on one blocking. He does offer some backup plans for Poe next year as his contract expires, but he's not a full time NT and wouldn't be an equal as a replacement. Instead, he's a Jaye Howard replacement in two years. Like Howard, Jones can play in spot snaps at NT, out at the 4/5 tech at DE and slide inside to the 3 tech (best interior rushing spot) and be better at a of them.
1. Titans - OT Laremy Tunsil
2. Browns - OT Ronnie Stanley
4. Cowboys - DE Joey Bosa
5. Jaguars - LB Myles Jack
6. Ravens - DL DeForest Buckner
7. 49ers - QB Carson Wentz
8. Eagles - QB Jared Goff
9. Bucs - WR Laquon Treadwell
10. Giants - RB Ezekiel Elliott
11. Bears - CB Vernon Hargreaves
12. Saints - LB Jaylon Smith
13. Dolphins - CB Eli Apple
14. Raiders - CB William Jackson III
15. Rams - QB Paxton Lynch
16. Lions - DT A'Shawn Robinson
17. Falcons - LB Reggie Ragland
18. Colts - WR Will Fuller
19. Bills - DE Shaq Lawson
20. Jets - LB Leonard Floyd
21. Washington - DT Jarran Reed
22. Texans - DL Robert Nkemdiche
23. Vikings - WR Josh Doctson
24. Bengals - DT Andrew Billings
25. Steelers - DL Jonathan Bullard
26. Seahawks - OT Jack Conklin
27. Packers - DL Vernon Butler
28. Chiefs - DL Chris Jones
29. Cardinals -