Chiefs Draftmas List

EDGE Dorance Armstrong, Kansas | EDGE Hercules Mata’afa, Washington State | Guard Isaiah Wynn, Georgia | Safety Kyzir White, West Virginia | WR D.J. Moore, Maryland | S Jessie Bates III, Wake Forest | CB Jaire Alexander, Louisville | CB Tarvarus McFadden, Florida State | TE Mike Gesicki, Penn State | DL Tim Settle, Virginia Tech | EDGE Josh Sweat, Florida State | EDGE Kylie Fitts, Utah | Safety Justin Reid | Guard Braden Smith, Auburn | CB DJ Reed, Kansas State | DL Nathan Shepard, Fort Hays State | CB Holton Hill, Texas | CB Issac Yiadom, Boston College | TE Dallas Goedert, South Dakota State | IOL, Billy Price, Ohio State

March came and went, and so did the underdogs of the NCAA tournament. The other shoe dropped for Loyola-Chicago mere hours before the calendar turned to Draftmas month.

Sometimes, underdogs play above their heads and are able to accomplish more than they should. Effort, focus and poise can take you places.

Much like the Ramblers did in their run to the Final Four, the Chiefs should embrace the opportunity to exceed expectations. A rookie general manager in Brett Veach, who doesn’t have the draft capital other teams do. A team without a first-round pick and a new hole on their roster created by moving on from a talented cornerback.

It’s trial by fire for Veach. He and his personnel staff are being forced to stretch every resource they have within the organization to maximize what selections they possess. They have to think through and be prepared for every scenario that could present itself on draft weekend. They need to have a better understanding of their board and the expectations around the league more than any other team. They have to uncover more of the tiny details that could separate players on their board.

The Chiefs’ margin for error is slim. They don’t have the luxuries the Colts or the Browns do this April. Their need to be right is critical to the short and long term of the organization.

I love the adversity they’re facing.

The Chiefs will be better because of this experience. Veach has been lauded for the tireless effort, organization, attention to detail and creativity in his short stint as general manager. He’s going to be put to the test in year one. Based on what we’ve seen to this point, I expect some impressive decision making.

Imagine what this year will do for him and his staff when times aren’t as lean? This is the perfect challenge for this group to take on.

I’m not betting against the underdog.

There’s a lot of worry about the Chiefs’ lack of involvement in the free agent safety market. They could be looking in the draft to strengthen the group.

Here are three new additions to the Draftmas list that could help calm your nerves:

Ronnie Harrison, Safety

6’ 2” | 207 lbs. | Alabama

Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports

Projected Draft Range: second round

Games watched: Clemson, Colorado State, Georgia

Prospect grade (out of 100): 83.5

I would take him in the: second round

One sentence bio: Florida native that appeared in 42 games (28 starts) in three years with the Crimson Tide.

One sentence scouting report: Smart, sound, physical safety who can be successful in the run and pass game.

One play:

Why he fits in KC: If there’s a spectrum of safeties between box and single types, Harrison falls just slightly to the box safety side. There’s a variety of things he can bring to the table. He’s disciplined and smart in a variety of spots on the field. He’s physical and fearless wherever you ask him to line up. Harrison possesses solid play recognition and fluidity in coverage for a man his size. You likely aren’t asking him to play single-high, but in a split safety role or close to the line of scrimmage, Harrison should be able to be a solid contributor.

The Chiefs could use a player like Harrison that can match up with multiple positions and body types in coverage but also provide sound run support. Not turning 21 until two weeks from now, Harrison is still very young with time to develop. Pairing Harrison with Eric Berry could prove to be an intriguing tandem if he is selected by the Chiefs. If he is available in the second round, I would be pleased with him as the selection.

Terrell Edmunds, Safety

6’ | 217 lbs. | Virginia Tech

Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports

Projected Draft Range: round two or three

Games watched: Boston College (2016), Clemson, West Virginia

Prospect grade (out of 100): 80.6

I would take him in the: early third

One sentence bio: Fe’Derius (given name) is from a family of current and future NFL players.

One sentence scouting report: Big safety, who shows the fluidity to contribute in coverage as well as the run game.

One play:

Why he fits in KC: Edmunds is the older (but still only just recently turned 21) brother of consensus first-round linebacker Tremaine Edmunds. He’s also a good football player. Edmunds provides similar value to Harrison. He has the coverage ability and willingness to contribute in the run game you like. Also, like Harrison, he’s still got room for growth as a younger prospect.

If the Chiefs do miss out on a safety they like in the second round, Edmunds could be strong value in round three. Even though it might be a slight reach where I value, I wouldn’t be upset if he were selected with pick 54 either.

Edmunds’ best football is still ahead of him. There’s definite upside to him has a player. I would be happy for the Chiefs to be the ones to develop him.

Jeremy Reaves, Safety

5’ 11” | 204 lbs. | South Alabama

John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports

Projected Draft Range: fifth to seventh round

Games watched: Georgia State, Oklahoma State, Troy

Prospect grade (out of 100): 70.8

I would take him in the: late fourth

One sentence bio: Unranked recruit turned Senior Bowl invitee.

One sentence scouting report: Smart, tough, hard-working safety that can line up in different parts of the field.

One play:

Why he fits in KC: If the board falls such that the Chiefs have to wait until day three to address the safety position or if they look to double dip in the later rounds, Jeremy Reaves could provide value. Reaves has shown the ability to line up in the slot, in the box or as a single-high safety.

Reaves is a tad under 5 feet 11, but he fills out his frame well and makes up for his limitations. What he lacks in elite athleticism or size, he makes up with energy, effort and preparation. Reaves’ tape shows a player with high football character and a lot of preparation. There are instances of Reaves running the route for the receivers. He sets a tone in the run and pass game.

While he has immediate special teams value, Reaves could carve out a role early and has a chance to develop into a starter down the road. He plays like the kind of guy you want on your team, and I would be interested in the Chiefs adding him to the roster on day three.

AP Chiefs Draft Show

We’ll have discussions on these players and more this week coming up on the AP Chiefs Draft Show.

Want to catch up? Episode 5 is available here:

Also, we’re up and running on iTunes for Apple users.

What my grades mean

As a refresher, so you know what the grading scale we use on the show and in this article equates to, here’s a helpful chart: