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Mel Kiper Jr. and Todd McShay make six Chiefs picks in latest ESPN mock draft

The draft analysts go punch-for-punch on the Chiefs’ first three draft picks

NCAA Football: Alabama at Louisiana State John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports

It is the season of mock drafts — and a Wednesday ESPN In$ider article features dueling two-round mocks from draft analysts Mel Kiper and Todd McShay. We covered Kiper’s 3.0 mock draft last week.

Here’s how the two ESPN draft experts picked for the Kansas City Chiefs:


Round one, pick 29

Kiper: Greedy Williams, CB, LSU

If an edge rusher falls, Kansas City could pounce at No. 29. But Williams could be a steal this late in Round 1.

McShay: Johnathan Abram, S, Mississippi State

Abram closes like a heat-seeking missile. I love his approach to the position. With or without Eric Berry, he immediately improves the secondary from the back end.

Kiper sticks with Williams — whom he picked in his 3.0 mock draft — after going with safeties Deionte Thompson and Johnathan Abram in his first two mock drafts. McShay went with cornerback Deandre Baker to the Chiefs in his 3.0 mock.

Advantage: Kiper. With Tyrann Mathieu now on the Chiefs roster, I don’t see safety as a more pressing need than cornerback; the Chiefs have better options at safety than they do at corner. Kiper has figured this out.


Round two, pick 61

Kiper: Elgton Jenkins, C, Mississippi State

Let’s bring in Jenkins to compete for the spot vacated by Mitch Morse, who left in free agency. Jenkins also played some guard and tackle for the Bulldogs.

McShay: David Long, CB, Michigan

With Steven Nelson gone, the Chiefs need a corner. Johnathan Abram was a start to fixing this broken secondary, and Long’s press-coverage skills further that task.

Advantage: Kiper. Osage4’s excellent FanPost that we had on the front page over the weekend convinced me: the Chiefs could use an interior offensive lineman, and with the additions of defensive end Emmanuel Ogbah and tight end Blake Bell since then, the pressure on drafting for those positions is reduced. In addition, Matt Lane’s outstanding probability analysis indicates that Jenkins might still be available here. I’m also still counting McShay down for that safety pick in the first round. Sue me.


Round two, pick 63

Kiper: Jachai Polite, OLB, Florida

Polite had a poor combine and is dropping down boards. At some point, though, you have to trust the tape, and he had a tremendous 2018 season. He can bulk up to play defensive end in the Chiefs’ transition to a 4-3 defense.

McShay: Chase Winovich, DE, Michigan

I wouldn’t be shocked if the Chiefs hunted for a running back to share duties with Carlos Hyde and Damien Williams, but losing Dee Ford and Justin Houston opens up the possibility of taking this twitchy edge rusher at the end of Round 2.

Advantage: McShay. I’m tired of drafting guys who need to be converted to some other position. If the Chiefs go with an early-round pick at defensive end, give me somebody who can play the position now, please. Winovich fits that bill.

In review

KIPER: CB Greedy Williams, C Elgton Jenkins, OLB Jachai Poilite

McSHAY: S, Johnathan Abram, CB David Long, DE Chase Winovich

...but what do you think?

Poll

Who won this draft duel with their Chiefs picks?

This poll is closed

  • 55%
    Mel Kiper
    (1489 votes)
  • 44%
    Todd McShay
    (1189 votes)
2678 votes total Vote Now

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