Chiefs take a running back early in latest 2020 mock draft

A very Merry Draftmas to all of you! In the season, we decided to do a little bonus NFL Draft podcast on a special edition of the Arrowhead Pride Laboratory.

We did a Chiefs mock draft with another round of draft roulette. We randomized five positions the Chiefs could target in the draft and selected players in that order. The order was RB, IOL, CB, LB and WR.

Here were the results of draft roulette:

This is for everyone in our mentions clamoring for the Chiefs to select a running back in the first round. The constraints of being forced to take a running back and offensive lineman with the first two picks create problems farther down in the draft addressing needs. It’s definitely something to consider for those who would like a result similar to this.

26. RB Travis Etienne, Clemson

Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images

We all strongly disagree with the approach of taking a running back early, but this exercise forced it. If the Chiefs did select a running back, a strong candidate is Travis Etienne from Clemson. Etienne is a big, physical athletic back that hasn’t been forced into many carries in his career. His 493 carries compared to Jonathan Taylor’s 903 is staggering. Etienne has 29 catches on the year, seeing a significant uptick in usage in the passing game and production on a per touch basis. Etienne would be an excellent fit in Kansas City.

58. OL Mekhi Becton, Louisville

Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images

Draft roulette has forced an offensive lineman on us in round two, and so we oblige. Becton is a young, massive lineman who played tackle for the Cardinals this season. Becton moves very well for his size and shows the potential to stick outside. If he can’t, he certainly could kick inside to guard. The Chiefs have shown a penchant to coach their linemen to play inside and out. They could do the same with Becton and get a year one impact inside. His best football ahead of him, and in this scenario, it’ll happen while protecting Patrick Mahomes.

90. CB A.J. Green, Oklahoma State

Photo by John E. Moore III/Getty Images

Alas, another scenario where the Chiefs are forced to wait to address cornerback. Hopefully, the Chiefs have done enough to improve the talent level of the position before the draft if they wait this long. In this scenario, the Chiefs get a long, aggressive, physical corner who would fit well in Steve Spagnuolo’s scheme. We’ll get a chance to observe him in the Senior Bowl against top competition.

122. LB Evan Weaver, California

Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images

Weaver was one of the most productive players in college this year and has improved his draft stock this season. He focused on re-working his body, is playing lighter, and it shows. His movement skills are improved, although not overly impressive. He finds himself around the ball with a high frequency, totaling 95 total tackles and 172 total. He would fit in more as a MIKE linebacker in the Chiefs defense but should have the mental capabilities to earn the trust of the coaching staff.

156. WR Denzel Mims, Baylor

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This might be a little late for Mims, who we believe has a chance to be drafted earlier. Bigger receivers have gone by the wayside and in a deep class, someone like Mims could be overlooked and passed over longer than some would anticipate. He catches everything and has a good athletic profile. He’ll need to develop as a route runner, but 50-50 balls are more like 80-20 with him. He’s certainly worthy of this selection, and probably earlier.

Arrowhead Pride Laboratory

We went into further detail on these players and more on this episode edition of the Arrowhead Pride Laboratory.