Crow's 2024 "What I Want" Mock

[kccrow 529]

I haven't been around her much this year but wanted to share my 2024 draft hopes. Not an easy class to evaluate at LT beyond the 3 I feel are legit day 1 starters in Alt, Fashanu, and Fautanu given there are so many RT candidates I don't think can play LT. I also feel like there is a clear drop at WR after the top 4 of Harrison, Odunze, Nabers, and Thomas.

1-016 | WR Brian Thomas, Jr. - LSU (6'3" 209)
Trade: 1-32, 2-64, 2025 3rd f/TEN to SEA for 1-16
When it comes down to it, you have to find ways to acquire premium players in the first round. Veach is a day 3 mastermind so I have some faith there that he'll find talent. It comes down to LT or WR and I just don't see talents who are worth their salt at LT being available beyond the 14th pick. Seattle is a prime trade partner with no 2nd round pick and primarily needs a major infusion of talent on the interior offensive line. The Chiefs could have the opportunity to move up and get an elite-level playmaker at WR here. I'd say re-sign Donovan Smith for another season at LT and call it a day. Thomas brings size, elite deep speed, and an LSU pedigree to the table. His 17 receiving TDs this year led the FBS. Thomas looks like a high-level, true #1 target and I don't get that vibe from any of the WRs that could be taken after him. (Note: If Troy Fautanu falls I would prioritize LT)

3-95 | TE Jared Wiley - TCU (6'6" 249)
My list of needs that I think KC should attempt to address this offseason includes WR, LT, IOL, and TE. I'm sticking as close to that theory as I can here and opting to go after a potential Kelce replacement with Wiley. He's the closest comp to Kelce in this draft. Wiley has great size, moves well, possesses good straight-line speed, and sports vice-grips for hands with only one drop in 120 career targets. He has good quickness, not elite, but it should be enough once he learns to run NFL-caliber routes to create space at the breakpoints. He's also a sound blocker. His 8 TDs and 5 red zone TDs this season both led the FBS for TEs. I don't think there's a more complete TE in this class when you look at size, speed, ability, and lack of baggage.

4-131 | OT Delmar Glaze - Maryland (6'4" 315)
Glaze is a smooth mover with outstanding width, premier arm length (34-7/8"), and outstanding grip strength. He has a strong anchor but his foot speed might not be good enough to remain at tackle in the NFL. He looks tailor-made to be an NFL guard though. Glaze takes great angles in the run game and has the athleticism to get to the second level and secure blocks in zone concepts. He played the entirety of his career at LT and RT but looks to have more than adequate lateral agility to handle interior duties and the haunches to anchor against power. At the end of the day, he could also function as a reserve swing OT but he'll need help to his outside with speed rushers who can really push the arc.

5-159 | DT Jaden Crumedy, Mississippi State (6'4" 304)
I really like Mississippi State DTs and Crumedy is no exception. He features outstanding quickness off the snap, which (to me) is trait priority number one, keeps a low pad level with good knee bend, and maintains his balance to stay off the ground and actively in the play. He's a guy that you can fire into the A or B gaps and has experience doing both, which bodes well for him seeing snaps at the 1 and 3 in our scheme. He needs to learn to use his hands with better efficiency and placement, though he has a decent two-arm similar to Chris Jones. He'll also have to maintain better gap control. In the end, Crumedy doesn't need that much work to get to where you need him to be to take meaningful reps, and could be a really good player in year two.

5-173 | WR Ainias Smith, Texas A&M (5'9" 190)
I don't know if there's a better overall gadget player in this class than Ainias Smith and he's one of the more elusive weapons to boot. His recovery from a stress fracture impacted his times in workouts. You can see on tape his quickness off the line and in/out of breaks. Smith has outstanding focus and makes plays on the interior in traffic. He was so valuable as a weapon for Texas A&M that they even had him line up in the backfield and take snaps at running back. Smith's elusiveness and ability to start/stop on a dime made him an excellent YAC player. What makes Smith even more attractive is that he was one of the best punt returners in the nation. If you can get an excellent slot player with special teams ability in the late 5th, consider it a win.

7-221 | RB Blake Watson, Memphis (5'9" 200)
Watson is a former WR turned RB so you know he can make his mark out of the backfield, and there was no doubt on film with 90 receptions for 794 yards and 5 TDs spread over the past two seasons. Watson possesses game-breaking speed (4.40) for the position and outstanding contact balance, which bodes well for his NFL prospects. He has good quickness to the hole and the patience and vision to set up cutbacks in zone. He's older than you like at 24.5, but he's a burn-and-turn guy that you're looking to make hay with as a 3rd down back on a rookie contract. He just has to clean up his pass-blocking to give himself a full-time job. Very much a McKinnon replacement type.

[oldtimer 8,683]

good seeing ya Crow. always good to see your Draft analysis. I was wondering if you where going to show up this year. I'd not be mad about  those picks, I just don't see Veach moving up that far but  when it comes to Draft stuff I'm a regular Sargent Shultz

[kccrow 529]

22 minutes ago, oldtimer said:

good seeing ya Crow. always good to see your Draft analysis. I was wondering if you where going to show up this year. I'd not be mad about  those picks, I just don't see Veach moving up that far but  when it comes to Draft stuff I'm a regular Sargent Shultz

It's a very interesting draft class. I've done a lot of analysis elsewhere, guys keep telling me to do my own platform. Aint nobody got time for that haha. I can say I'm with Veach about these little pockets of talent scattered throughout the draft.

I think LT has some guys in spots. I'm not with all the talking heads that think this guy or that guy can play LT. I'd say Alt, Fautanu, and Fashanu probably go in that order and very early (top 15). Then the next set of guys are Latham, Fuaga, Mims, and Guyton and they all look to be RTs to me. Maybe you squeeze an LT out of Mims but I still have doubts. Guys over 6'6" rarely make it at LT, that's just me being real about it, but he might be okay. Very raw though. I think Suamataia and Paul are a year away but I might take a shot at 32 on Suamataia. Morgan is a guy, I just don't know about. Don't like his arm length, love the rest. Probably has to move inside but man that would be a chance worth maybe taking. I think Fisher, at the bottom of 2, I don't know but I like him as having the potential to switch. It's tough to take a career RT and move him. Start looking at 3rd round, I think Amegadjie and Foster are guys to keep an eye on. I don't like Foster's feet, personally, but I like the rest. Overall, for as much as this class gets talked up, it's heavily talented at RT but very light at LT.

WR is a clusterfuck depending on who you talk to. My rankings differ wildly from consensus in spots I think and I try to mock more along the general than my personal. Schematic fits, I like Thomas Jr, Franklin, Worthy, Polk, Baker, McConkey, Wilson, Pearsall, Burton, Corley, McMillan, Thrash, Weaver, Smith, Gould, Griffin, and Jones primarily. I'll post my rankings if you want to see them, but I think there's talent spread everywhere through the 3rd then it starts to scatter a bit more because you start getting into slots or non-schematic fit guy. My clear-cut favorites are Thomas, Franklin, Worthy, and Wilson early. Polk, depending on Rashee's situation would be pretty high up there too.  After that, I'm looking more at the 4th/5th round guys so I really like Trash, Weaver, and Smith depending on what we do early.

I think we would be prudent to address TE though I only like a few guys a lot. Like Sanders but might be too rich. I love Wiley. I like Thee Johnson, just some baggage there I'm not comfortable with. I think Tip Reimann will be a decent player but he's more of a #2/blocker that can make some plays in the passing game at times than a #1 to me. I like Isaac Rex a lot. I love McLachlan but he's too damned old.

Gotta do something on IOL. Glaze as a OT convert is my favorite but I like Laumea a lot. Like Bortolini. Plenty of guys to kick inside that work though. Coleman from TCU, Wallace from Penn State (might like him as a swing OT more though), Foster from Mizzou (if he can't hold up outside), Adams from Illinois. 

DT is concerning. Alot of 3-techs this year and not much I love at 1-tech. I love Ruke Orhororo but he's a 3. Sweat with that DUI is concerning. I think most of my targets would be 3rd-5th round. Carter from Duke, Crumedy from Miss St, Jefferson from LSU. Maybe take a swing late on a NT like Jackson from Texas A&M, Boyd from N. Iowa, or Briggs from Cincy. 

The CB class is loaded with press man guys this year. I like it quite a bit. I know Lassiter doesn't have elite speed but man, as a guy that can move to the slot and be shut-down, he's on the radar. I like Max Melton, TJ Tampa, Andru Phillips, Caelen Carson, Khyree Jackson, Renardo Green, Elijah Jones and a few others but that's a good enough list.

Safety is loaded with SS. Not a major need but I could see Veach pulling the trigger on one to replace Reid next year if they intend to use Connor in the slot. Hicks is my favorite from Washington St. Bishop from Utah and Oladapo from Oregon State get the juices flowing. Brade form Maryland might end up a nice FS. Nubin will be a hell of a player. He's the top safety on some boards. Some have Hicks. Might be too rich to take either.

Some really good LBs in this class but it's not deep. Edgerrin Cooper... if we have a 2nd rounder and he's there at 64, I'd run to the podium. Payton Wilson if he can stay healthy, stud. I like Colson, Gray, Wallace, Hopper, Ford, and Watson in the class.

I haven't poured all my heart and soul into the edge class but I will say I really like Brennan Jackson from Washington St and Cedric Johnson from Ole Miss. 

RB... oof. Don't love this class. Some guys that will go really high I like but I don't like taking RBs early. Brooks, Wright, Lloyd would be the guys I like there. Value guys... I like Will Shipley as a complimentary back. I like some things about Bucky Irving but man he's light. Vidal from Troy interests me. I'm quite high on Rasheen Ali out of Marshall. I'd keep tabs on that name. Kendall Milton from Georgia looks like a Veach back but the speed might be a thing. Jase McClellan, if he were faster, man a lot to like there.

[oldtimer 8,683]

wow my head started swimming there ..but in regards to TE I was pounding the table for one last year as it was  a biblically deep class and nothing. I still have my doubts on  Veach drafting one this year unless it's just a Hail Mary in the late rounds as a BPA. I think we'll see  a FA LT again this year probably D-Smith but an heir apparent to Thuney should be made his contract is an albatross IMO, I also see them extending Trey Smith.

[kccrow 529]

8 hours ago, oldtimer said:

wow my head started swimming there ..but in regards to TE I was pounding the table for one last year as it was  a biblically deep class and nothing. I still have my doubts on  Veach drafting one this year unless it's just a Hail Mary in the late rounds as a BPA. I think we'll see  a FA LT again this year probably D-Smith but an heir apparent to Thuney should be made his contract is an albatross IMO, I also see them extending Trey Smith.

Yeah, I kinda dumped a whole bunch in that one post haha.

I don't think they'll re-sign Smith but I do think they'll re-sign Humphrey. 

 

[Lamardirts 2,114]

I think we are stuck with Thuney this year and next.  I don't see were we find the money for Trey.  

[Lamardirts 2,114]

Nice break down Crow.  If Thomas can be an alpha for the next 5 years I'm 100% for it. Quit making life hard for Mahomes.  

[West 6,713]

Great breakdown Crow....just like every year.  very much appreciated.

I think Noah Gray has been that #2 TE we all hoped for so unless a premium TE drops, I think Veach looks WR, T, CB early.

 

What an absolute EPIC time to be a Chiefs' Fan.

w

[oldtimer 8,683]

21 minutes ago, West said:

Great breakdown Crow....just like every year.  very much appreciated.

I think Noah Gray has been that #2 TE we all hoped for so unless a premium TE drops, I think Veach looks WR, T, CB early.

 

What an absolute EPIC time to be a Chiefs' Fan.

w

I think Noah Grey is a JAG nothing more I mean 28  catches for 305 and 2 TDs last year and pretty much identical the previous? not a wasted 5th rnd pick but certainly nothing to "crow" about...pun intended, as much as I hate to say this  IF TK gets hurt and misses several  games we'll realize how a JAG TE aint gonna cut it. JMO of course

[West 6,713]

#2 is not #1......Gray is not the guy to take over for TK.  But, who is?

I am hoping for 2 more years from TK.  He is a legend at this point and he is hands down the best TE ever in KC and maybe the NFL.

w

[oldtimer 8,683]

2 minutes ago, West said:

#2 is not #1......Gray is not the guy to take over for TK.  But, who is?

I am hoping for 2 more years from TK.  He is a legend at this point and he is hands down the best TE ever in KC and maybe the NFL.

w

that is kinda my point they best start looking now. I think they missed a HUGE  opportunity last year and yes TK  has 2 years max left depending on  health and TayTay 

[kkuenn 3,597]

3 hours ago, West said:

#2 is not #1......Gray is not the guy to take over for TK.  But, who is?

I am hoping for 2 more years from TK.  He is a legend at this point and he is hands down the best TE ever in KC and maybe the NFL.

w

I am wanting Tip Rieman in the 5th or later at TE to learn one year behind Kelce.

[kccrow 529]

Looking back at my long-winded post, we got 4 I mentioned as liking in Worthy, Suamataia, Wiley and Hicks. I do also really love the Nourzad selection. Hadden is a sneaky good pick too. I really think Veach hit a homerun with this one.

[jetlord 10,207]

1 hour ago, kccrow said:

Looking back at my long-winded post, we got 4 I mentioned as liking in Worthy, Suamataia, Wiley and Hicks. I do also really love the Nourzad selection. Hadden is a sneaky good pick too. I really think Veach hit a homerun with this one.

With the possible exception of Worthy, do you believe the Chiefs got all their picks at bargain basement prices?  Hicks and Wiley at the end of the fourth has to be the steal of the draft if even one meets his potential.   

[kccrow 529]

On 5/8/2024 at 3:59 PM, jetlord said:

With the possible exception of Worthy, do you believe the Chiefs got all their picks at bargain basement prices?  Hicks and Wiley at the end of the fourth has to be the steal of the draft if even one meets his potential.   

My opinion is yes.

Suamataia was a guy I though wouldn't last past around 38. Hicks was a guy I thought would be at least the #2 safety off the board and no less than a high 3rd. Wiley was a guy I thought late 3rd to mid-4th was the range. Nourzad I figured to be in the 4th. So yeah, I think we had the right guys fall to spectacular value spots. Hell, even Hadden and Hanson were sold values. Veach really did a great job of letting things fall to him as much as he could. I'm surprised he wasn't much more aggressive to be honest.