Arrowheadlines: Patrick Mahomes a big winner of Day 2 of NFL Draft

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2021 NFL Draft Day 2 winners, losers: Browns’ D up, Kirk Cousins down | NFL.com

Patrick Mahomes’ comfort: At the risk of ignoring the rest of the roster, the Chiefs are absolutely determined not to allow Mahomes’ pass protection to fall apart again. After trading a first-round pick to the Ravens for tackle Orlando Brown Jr., the team used its original second-round pick (No. 63 overall) on center Creed Humphrey.

Since the season ended, the Chiefs have added Brown, Humphrey, big-ticket guard Joe Thuney, former Pro Bowler Kyle Long and center Austin Blythe to their offensive line. Guard Laurent Duvernay-Tardif and last year’s draft pick at tackle, Lucas Niang (a third-round pick), also return after opting out in 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Chiefs suddenly have more linemen than they know what to do with!

NFL draft 2021 winners, head-scratching picks, reaches from Rounds 2 and 3: Mel Kiper’s Day 2 recap | ESPN

• Kansas City has done a great job rebuilding its offensive line over the past two months, and I wouldn’t be shocked if Creed Humphrey (No. 63) ended up as the Chiefs’ starting center in 2021. Terrific value at the end of Round 2.

2021 NFL Draft grades: Analysis for every second-round selection from Tyson Campbell to Kyle Trask | CBS Sports

58. Chiefs: Nick Bolton, LB, Missouri

Grade: B-

A thumping middle linebacker who plays faster than his timed athleticism but isn’t the rangiest. Smaller, shorter arms. Attacks blocks well. Very instinctive. Fun pairing next to Willie Gay. Maybe a tick early.

2021 NFL Draft Day 2 winners and losers: Kyle Trask finds ideal fit, Texans face reality with Deshaun Watson | CBS Sports

Winner: Chiefs

The rich continue to get richer. After trading the No. 31 overall pick to the Ravens in a deal that landed them Pro Bowl left tackle Orlando Brown, Kansas City finally got into the mix in the NFL Draft, making two selections in the second round. As we’ve grown accustomed to seeing from Andy Reid’s club, both picks seem to be extremely solid. The first was Missouri linebacker Nick Bolton, who should immediately be able to come in and fill out some depth at one of the thinner positions on Kansas City’s roster. Meanwhile, the bolstering of the offensive line continued at No. 63 overall where they brought in Oklahoma center Creed Humphrey, who didn’t allow a single sack in 1,297 pass-blocking snaps in college. Both additions should be able to help the Chiefs right out the gate and continue to be developmental pieces that can blossom into even bigger roles going forward.

Analyst: Ravens Now Among ‘Most Equipped’ to Knock off Chiefs | Heavy.com

During the draft, Emmanuel Acho tweeted that he believes the Ravens should be considered along with the Bills and Browns as the teams that have the greatest potential to knock off the Chiefs.

Around the NFL

Jimmy Garoppolo first to text Trey Lance after San Francisco 49ers made pick, John Lynch says | ESPN

“One thing that was really heartwarming to me, I heard last night that Jimmy reached out [to Lance],” general manager John Lynch said Friday night. “Trey was here today and Trey told us that the first text he got was from Jimmy Garoppolo. So, that’s pretty special. I think it speaks to his class.”

Texans select QB Davis Mills with their first pick of 2021 NFL Draft | NFL.com

The Texans selected Stanford quarterback Davis Mills in the third round at No. 67 overall.

Houston’s first- and second-round selections were lost in a trade to acquire offensive tackle Laremy Tunsil.

Watson is currently facing 22 civil lawsuits alleging sexual assault and misconduct. The Houston Police Department opened an investigation on April 2 following a complaint being issued against Watson and the NFL is also investigating the allegations.

“We’re respectful of the legal process and where that is,” Texans general manager Nick Caserio said in the team’s pre-draft news conference on April 16. “We’re focused on today and we’re focused on getting ready for the offseason program and getting ready for the draft, so that’s where our focus is.”

2021 NFL Draft: Teven Jenkins, Azeez Ojulari among Day 2’s top value picks | NFL.com

5 - Terrace Marshall Jr.

LSU · WR

Carolina Panthers

Round 2 · No. 59 overall

For the Panthers to trade down twice and still snag my No. 28 player at 59 ... one who suits their offense (and offensive coordinator, Joe Brady, who worked with Marshall at LSU)? Well, this is an exceptional value. PFF counts Marshall as hauling in 20 contested catches since 2019 (second-most in the SEC, behind Kyle Pitts), with an 81.8 percent catch rate on such plays last season (nine of 11). He also had seven deep receiving touchdowns since 2019, which is tied for third-most in the SEC. In his three seasons at LSU, his ability to run precise routes increased in each season, per my computer vision. Reuniting with Brady in Carolina forecasts for a shortened learning curve, both for Marshall and the Panthers as they implement their playbook with Sam Darnold under center. Look for Darnold’s deep passing to improve week over week, based on the whole of the offense (with Marshall joining Christian McCaffrey and D.J. Moore) and the space they’ll be able to create.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers pick Kyle Trask in second round of NFL draft as potential heir to Tom Brady | ESPN

“Staying in Florida is amazing,” said Trask, who grew up in Manvel, Texas. “I loved my time at the University of Florida. To have the opportunity to continue my career right down the road is amazing. I love the state of Florida. I’m glad I get to stay there for now.”

Trask completed 552 of 813 passes for 7,386 yards and 69 touchdowns in 28 career games with the Gators. He passed for 4,283 yards and had nine consecutive games with at least three touchdown passes last season, and also set a single-season SEC record with five 400-yard passing games — quite the feat considering Trask was a high school backup who didn’t start for the Gators until Feleipe Franks’ season-ending ankle injury in 2019.

In case you missed it at Arrowhead Pride

Grading the Chiefs’ pick of offensive lineman Creed Humphrey at 63

Kent: For me, it’s been a wild ride on Creed Humphrey. I didn’t like how he started out his Senior Bowl week in Mobile, AL — often struggling with power and getting walked back into the quarterback. He got better throughout the week and performed admirably. I came around more through the process. He tested as one of the best centers ever. He’s being put into a phenomenal situation next to Joe Thuney and Kyle Long. He’s well-positioned to succeed from Day 1. There’s a lot of experience — and plenty to develop. Solid pick.

Grade: B

Craig: Creed Humphrey is the final piece of the Chiefs’ offensive line to get a major asset dedicated to it this season. Brett Veach saw a need — and aggressively attacked it through free agency, trades and the draft. Humphrey is extremely athletic — something we know that Andy Reid has coveted in his centers in Kansas City. While he may take a bit of time to adjust to NFL-level power on the inside, he’ll likely be an immediate starter next to Joe Thuney and Kyle Long or Laurent Duvernay-Tardif.

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