Exploring the "why" of Chiefs' 2021 draft class

How GM Brett Veach addressed "pain points" on Chiefs roster

The Chiefs entered April with a glaring need at left tackle that cast a shadow over their plans for the NFL Draft. As general manager Brett Veach and company looked at the board it wasn’t clear and obvious enough that a Day One pass protector would be available when the Chiefs took to the clock at pick 31 — so they went elsewhere.

The acquisition of Orlando Brown Jr. freed them to go a variety of different directions in the draft. They could sit and acquire whom they felt was the best player available. There were still pain points short and long-term on the roster, but they could be a little more patient and allow value to fall to them.

I went into the draft without a ton of expectations for what the Chiefs would do during the weekend. I simply wanted to understand the “why” for each selection they made — especially in a wild, unprecedented year with the pre-draft process. A few weeks removed, the vision is clear and obvious for each position. Were there players I liked at certain spots? Absolutely. But the Chiefs picked up good players up and down their list of selections, all of whom have a clear path to success and a clear “why.”

Here’s what I believe is the “why” for each player in this year’s Chiefs draft class.

No. 58: LB Nick Bolton — the Anthony Hitchens replacement

It took Hitchens time to get comfortable in Steve Spagnuolo’s defense but he started to show a lot of positive signs last year — playing his best football since joining the Chiefs. Time is running out on Hitchens’ contract in Kansas City, however, and taking Bolton now provides a cheaper long-term solution to Hitchens with more upside as a player. This season provides the Missouri linebacker time to get acclimated to Spagnuolo’s calls and the speed of the NFL. The Chiefs can move on from Hitchens after 2021 and save $8.5 million in cap space. Both players can coexist in 2021, but Bolton can transition to making the calls for the defense in 2022.

No. 63: C Creed Humphrey — the final piece to the overhaul

When Veach sees an issue, he usually attacks it with fury. The Chiefs did everything in their power to overhaul their offensive line, to the point where there’s a very real chance the entirety of their starting five up front from last season will be entirely different. Humphrey is the final piece to the overhaul — an investment that can become a staple of the offensive line for the foreseeable future. Left guard Joe Thuney should help acclimate Humphrey to the league, and the pairing could serve together for at least the next four years.

No. 144: Edge Josh Kaindoh — the upside swing at defensive end

Last year the Chiefs selected in the fifth round Michigan edge Mike Danna, who plays sound defense and gives outstanding effort. He’s a steady role player and welcome piece on the defensive line. Kaindoh is a bet on a former five-star college recruit with a rare athletic profile. Kaindoh has the physical profile of a player taken much earlier in the draft who underdeveloped at Florida State. The effort and football character are there with Kaindoh. Pairing those traits with his athleticism presents a worthy prospect with a high ceiling. If the Chiefs can get Danna to continue to play well on early downs and let Kaindoh pin his ears back in rushing situations, the Chiefs can cobble together quality football opposite Frank Clark.

Harold R. Kuntz @HaroldRKuntz3

Finally a look at other 2021 rookies, Cornell Powell (who gets am 'atta guy' from Andy Reid), Noah Gray, Joshua Kaindoh and Creed Humphrey. #Chiefs

No. 162: TE Noah Gray — Travis Kelce insurance

The Chiefs have a plan for Gray, as evidenced by their move up in the fifth round to secure him. He has some ability in the passing game and unique skill sets. He’s not a top-shelf blocker and isn’t the best in-line but he is another dynamic chess piece to add to the arsenal. He could see time as an H-Back type player but could also step in at times in a few areas with Kelce off the field.

Comparing Gray to Kelce is unfair but if the All-Pro tight end were to miss some time, the rookie out of Duke can operate similarly in some roles at a competent level. Gray can line up isolated on the backside of the formation (Y-Iso) the way Kelce does and present enough of a threat that the call sheet doesn’t close up entirely. Not to say the Chiefs still wouldn’t feel the loss of Kelce — because they undeniably would in a big way. But being able to do a few of the things Kelce can at an adequate level is valuable and Gray’s skill set isn’t duplicated by other tight ends not named Kelce on the roster.

No. 181 WR Cornell Powell — the X receiver

There was good value up and down the board at wide receiver in a deep 2021 draft class, and the Chiefs secured a player who will endear himself to fans. Powell had to work for everything he earned at Clemson — sticking around despite playing behind top-tier talents to finally receive his opportunity with the Tigers. Powell does the little things well — his effort, blocking and special teams ability all will make him a fan favorite — but that doesn’t mean he doesn’t have talent as a pass catcher. He saved some of his best football for the end of his collegiate career, catching 39 passes for 730 yards and five touchdowns in the final six games of 2020 (including two games against Notre Dame and one against Ohio State). He has the ideal size and skill set to contribute as an X receiver — a profile they needed to add to the roster.

No. 226: OL Trey Smith — the value swing

When you surrender draft capital like the Chiefs did to acquire Brown, you have to be creative and take calculated risks with the remaining selections. Veach did that with his final pick of the 2021 draft. Smith had blood clots in his lungs in 2018 and the treatment put his career in jeopardy at times. Smith’s talent warranted a selection earlier in the draft than where the Chiefs snagged him but lingering questions about his medicals seemed to contribute to his slide down the draft board. Smith could benefit significantly if the Chiefs’ medical team can create a sound plan for him to develop safety. If the move pans out the Chiefs would have the entirety of the interior offensive line — Thuney, Humphrey and Smith — secured together through 2024. That continuity and talent could be extremely valuable — especially considering two of the three will be on rookie deals in that window.