Upon Further Review: Reactions to the Chiefs' 2018 Draft Class

Here’s how some of the experts from around the web evaluated the Chiefs’ draft class

Apr 30, 2018 at 06:39 AM

Matt McMullen

Chiefs Reporter

The Kansas City Chiefs made six additions in the 2018 NFL Draft last weekend, bolstering their defense with five of the six picks.

The folks at Bleacher Report seem to like what the Chiefs have done throughout the offseason as a whole so far, ranking Kansas City as the No. 9 team in their Post-Draft Power Rankings.

Here's an excerpt from the story:

The big thing to watch with the Kansas City Chiefs this year will be the switch to Patrick Mahomes at quarterback. I'm excited about it because Mahomes has Brett Favre-type ability and can be one of the best passers in the league early.

The Chiefs had a phenomenal free agency too. Adding Sammy Watkins gives Mahomes another downfield target, and bringing in Kendall Fuller and Anthony Hitchens should help improve the defense. I know Kansas City lost Marcus Peters, but I believe the defense will be better.

Kansas City didn't have a first-round pick but still landed two of the best defensive tackles in the draft in Breeland Speaks and Derrick Nnadi. The Chiefs needed depth and talent up front and they got it.

If the defense can take even a small step forward, the Chiefs will be extremely dangerous. With Mahomes at the helm, the offense is going to be one of the most explosive in football.

Here's how the experts from around the web reacted to each of Kansas City's selections over the weekend.

Defensive end Breeland Speaks can get after the passer

The Kansas City Chiefs trade up to select Ole Miss interior defender Brandon Speaks, who ranked fifth in pass-rush productivity among draft-eligible interior defenders in 2017 (11.3)
— Pro Football Focus (@PFF) April 28, 2018

Here's more on Speaks from The Kansas City Star’s Terez Paylor:

Speaks, 22, is listed at 6-foot-3 and 283 pounds. In 2017, he recorded 67 tackles (eight for loss) and seven sacks — all career-highs — primarily as a defensive end.

He certainly has his fans around the NFL, including a scout reached by The Star Friday night.

"Very good athlete — can play laterally and redirect quickly at his size," the scout said. "High upside with inside/outside flexibility…relentless tough guy."

Third-round pick Derrick Nnadi thrived against the run at Florida State

A run stuffer in the trenches, Derrick Nnadi goes 75th overall to the Kansas City Chiefs pic.twitter.com/gTkAQR5qk9
— Pro Football Focus (@PFF) April 28, 2018

Clemson product Dorian O'Daniel was one of the top linebackers in the country last season

With the final pick of the third round, the Kansas City Chiefs select the highest-graded Clemson Tiger from 2017, Dorian O'Daniel pic.twitter.com/FcrtMOLo91
— Pro Football Focus (@PFF) April 28, 2018

I evaluated Dorian O'Daniel as a safety because he plays around 215. He is a very good football player. #Chiefs fans should be excited.
— Jon Ledyard (@LedyardNFLDraft) April 28, 2018

Kansas City just got a steal with Dorian O'Daniel. Not looking forward to seeing him play the Raiders twice a year
— Marcel Louis-Jacques (@Marcel_LJ) April 28, 2018

Fourth-round pick Armani Watts was a do-it-all safety for Texas A&M

The Kansas City Chiefs add Texas A&M safety Armani Watts. pic.twitter.com/QUetjpiZuS
— Pro Football Focus (@PFF) April 28, 2018

Here's this from NFL.com analyst Elliot Harrison:

Watts could qualify as a steal from this draft. Watts should compete for a starting job in training camp, and with Eric Berry returning from injury, he could be part of a transformation on coordinator Bob Sutton's defense. Solid coaching should help him capitalize on immense athletic ability. Always respect four-year starters like Watts.

Cornerback Tremon Smith may have been one of the top sleeper picks in the draft

Deep sleeper alert: I really like Tremon Smith of Central Arkansas at CB. Long, fast, physical. Needs to learn to be more patient and not jump every route, but he's a Day 3 dude that could end up a starter.
— Matt Miller (@nfldraftscout) April 20, 2018

Tremon Smith can play. Fast and athletic with ball production. He's also SUPER confident - just trust me.
— Terez A. Paylor (@TerezPaylor) April 28, 2018

Former defensive tackle Kahlil McKenzie will make the switch to offense in Kansas City

Not so fast on a all-defensive draft for the Chiefs. Scout Pat Sperduto projects Kahlil McKenzie as an offensive guard. He's scouted him for a while and always believed that was his natural position. Team talked to him about transition before the draft.
— Matt Derrick (@mattderrick) April 28, 2018

Kahlil McKenzie was drafted to play guard, according to the Chiefs. So some interior beef on the other side of the ball, too
— Terez A. Paylor (@TerezPaylor) April 28, 2018

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