The Kansas City Chiefs are currently in win-now mode, and as such, their standards are a bit different than most teams.
While Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs have only won one Super Bowl together, Kansas City continues to find ways back into the playoffs and back into the big game.
The Chiefs didn’t make the Super Bowl last season, but did make it the previous two years. After missing out in 2021, Kansas City needs to make some adjustments.
Here’s what they did in the 2022 NFL Draft:
Chiefs NFL Draft Picks 2022
- Round 1, Pick 21 (21st Overall): Trent McDuffie, CB, Washington
- Round 1, Pick 30 (30th Overall): George Karlaftis, EDGE, Purdue
- Round 2, Pick 22 (54th Overall): Skyy Moore, WR Western Michigan
- Round 2, Pick 30 (62nd Overall): Bryan Cook, S, Cincinnati
- Round 3, Pick 39 (103rd Overall): Leo Chenal, LB, Wisconsin
- Round 4, Pick 30 (135th Overall): Joshua Williams, CB, Fayetteville State
- Round 5, Pick 2 (145th Overall): Darian Kinnard, G, Kentucky
- Round 7, Pick 22 (243rd Overall): Jaylen Watson, CB, Washington State
- Round 7, Pick 30 (251st Overall): Isiah Pacheco, RB, Rutgers
- Round 7, Pick 38 (259th Overall): Nazeeh Johnson, CB, Marshall
Kansas City had 12 picks this year, tied for the most with Jacksonville. That many picks were definitely a blessing because this team had plenty of holes to fill.
After losing arguably one of the best wide receivers in the NFL in Tyreek Hill, it was clear that they would target a replacement. Drafting Skyy Moore in the third round definitely helps. He was PFF’s highest-rated wide receiver in 2021 and is a nice addition after grabbing JuJu Smith-Schuster in free agency.
The Chiefs’ secondary started off last season as one of, if not the worst secondary in the NFL. They made some changes and vastly improved in the second half of the season, but they still needed some help.
Kansas City selected cornerback Trent McDuffie with their first pick. Safety Bryan Cook was added to the mix in the second round. Additionally, they took three more cornerbacks in the late rounds.
Hopefully, this can give the Chiefs the boost their secondary needs.
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Note: The Chiefs NFL Draft predictions below were published before the 2022 NFL Draft.
Pre-Draft Chiefs NFL Mock Draft Predictions 2022
- Round 1, Pick 29 (29th Overall): Trent McDuffie CB, Washington
- Round 1, Pick 30 (30th Overall): Boye Mafe, EDGE, Minnesota
- Round 2, Pick 18 (50th Overall): George Pickens, WR, Georgia
- Round 2, Pick 30 (62nd Overall): Josh Paschal, EDGE, Kentucky
- Round 3, Pick 30 (94th Overall): Jeremiah Moon, LB, Florida
- Round 3, Pick 39 (103rd Overall): Dameon Pierce, RB, Florida
More Possible Chiefs Draft Targets: Christian Watson, WR, North Dakota State; Andrew Booth Jr., CB, Clemson; Logan Hall, DE, Houston; Perrion Winfrey, DT, Oklahoma; Neil Farrell Jr., DL, LSU
Pre-Draft Chiefs Team Needs 2022
1. Cornerback
If the Chiefs want to have a successful 2022, finding reliable cornerbacks will be crucial. The Chiefs are now in a division going up against Russell Wilson, Justin Herbert, and Derek Carr. It’s not going to be easy stopping these offenses.
I suggest the Chiefs do whatever they can to bring in premier talent on the defensive end.
2. EDGE
The Chiefs are unlikely to have Melvin Ingram or Alex Okafor in 2022, as both are free agents. If you want to get stops on the defensive end, you’re going to need some pressure on the quarterback.
An edge rusher has to be in the Chiefs’ plans in the first two days of the draft.
3. Linebacker
The Chiefs really don’t have much depth at linebacker right now. Kansas City is going to lose out on Ben Niemann and Dorian O’Daniel and have just Willie Gay Jr. and Nick Bolton as the anchors of the linebacker group.
They’ll need more help there and should address this in the first two days of the draft.
Chiefs May Also Consider Drafting: Defensive Tackle, Wide Receiver, Running Back