NFL Draft results: Chiefs trade up, select Breeland Speaks at pick 46

The Kansas City Chiefs traded up in the second round of the 2018 NFL Draft to select Ole Miss DT Breeland Speaks.

The Chiefs gave up second-round pick No. 54 and third-round pick No. 78 to the Cincinnati Bengals for their second-round pick, No. 46, where they selected Speaks, and their third-round pick, No. 100. The Chiefs will still pick two more times on Friday night.

Projected Draft Range: late day two to early day three

Prospect grade (out of 100): 72.9

I would take him in the: fourth round

One sentence bio: Early entry, Mississippi native and Criminal Justice major.

One sentence scouting report: Athletic, diverse, but developmental interior defensive lineman.

One play:

Reaction: We made fun of the Raiders for trading back from 10 to 15 for pennies on the dollar. The Chiefs just significantly overpaid on the draft trade chart to move up for an athletic, but developmental interior defensive lineman. I’m not sure what scared the Chiefs into this decision. Maybe they were desperate to get rid of that third round selection that was scheduled to get free pizza for a year.

Speaks is a player with a good athletic profile who tested well at the NFL Combine. On the field he flashes the traits but struggles to be consistent. His pass rushes get stalled too much for my liking, and his eye discipline needs work.

Is there a lot to work with? Yes. Is he ready to contribute right away? I don’t know. There is a path for the Speaks to develop into a nice interior lineman. I just don’t like the move this early, on an overpay in draft capital.

Chiefs 2018 draft picks

Round 2 (46) LB Breeland Speaks

Round 3 (75) DT Derrick Nnadi | Kent Swanson’s reaction: This move is a clear indication that the Chiefs think they need to stop the run. Nnadi’s grade dropped for me because of poor athletic testing. He was a late third round grade on tape. For what he is, he’s a good player.

Round 3 (100) LB Dorian O’ Daniel | Kent Swanson’s reaction: O’Daniel will likely profile as more of a box safety role for the Chiefs unless they are making significant schematic changes. O’Daniel flashes the ability to click and close on plays behind the line of scrimmage out in the slot. He’s probably better seeing everything in front of him, allowing him to get down hill.

Round 4 (122)

Round 4 (124)

Round 6 (196)

Round 7 (233)

Round 7 (243)

Day 1: Round 1

When: Thursday April 26th at 8 p.m. Eastern

Time per pick: 10 minutes

TV channels: ESPN, FOX, & NFL Network

Day 2: Rounds 2 & 3

When: Friday April 27th at 7 p.m. Eastern

Time per pick: 7 minutes for round 2; 5 minutes for round 3

TV channels: ESPN 2, FOX, & NFL Network

Day 3: Rounds 4 through 7

When: Saturday April 28th at 12 p.m. Eastern

Time per pick: 5 minutes for rounds 4-6; 4 minutes for round 7

TV channels: ESPN, ABC, & NFL Network