The narrative following the Chiefs 2017 draft was that they were planning for the future not only with the selection of QB Patrick Mahomes but also with other developmental prospects like DE Tanoh Kpassagnon and LB Ukeme Eligwe.
As it turns out, that narrative was pretty accurate. Those players do look like blocks for the future because they’re not blocks right now. Third round pick RB Kareem Hunt is the only Chiefs 2017 draft pick to be getting any action. (This is offensive and defensive snaps only, not including special teams)
#ChiefsKingdom draft class snaps played: Mahomes 0, Kpassagnon 0, Hunt 78/121, Chesson 0, Eligwe 0, McQuay 0 (PS) @PFF
— Eric Eager (@PFF_EricEager) September 18, 2017
Let’s not forget that the one guy playing has been arguably the best player in football over the past two games (Adam Schefter said it, not me). If Kareem Hunt ends up being the player that he’s shown he can be in the past two weeks, I don’t care what the rest of the draft class does. You’re talking about an MVP-caliber back.
Wait. I do care about the rest of the class because Mahomes is in there. If Hunt and Mahomes pan out, no one remembers the rest of their draft class.
However, you’ll probably remember the rest of the class. The two players that stand out to me - besides Mahomes and Hunt - are second round DE Tanoh Kpassagnon and LB Ukeme Eligwe. I think they are natural replacements for players currently on the roster that may not be next year (one of the d-linemen) or the year after (Derrick Johnson).