The Kansas City Chiefs, instead of looking for a replacement for All-Pro wide receiver Tyreek Hill, went with defense in Thursday night’s opening round of the NFL Draft in Las Vegas, choosing to add a cornerback and edge rusher.
Trading up to grab the 21st overall pick, Chiefs general manager Brett Veach nabbed University of Washington cornerback Trent McDuffie, bringing a young piece into a secondary expected to lose All-Pro Tyrann Mathieu to free agency within the next few days. McDuffie, more specifically, is expected to take the cornerback position left open by the free agency departure of Charvarius Ward to the San Francisco 49ers. Justin Reed of the Houston Texans was signed earlier in the offseason by the Chiefs as a free agent.
It was widely perceived coming into the draft that Kansas City liked Purdue University defensive end George Karlaftis, and with the 30th pick in the draft, acquired in the Hill trade with the Dolphins, the Chiefs scooped up Karlaftis, completing their Thursday night haul.
The draft continued on Friday night, with the Chiefs remaining busy into the 2nd and 3rd rounds, as a lightning quick receiver ranked by some as a first-round talent, Skyy Moore was taken by the Chiefs, followed by the selection of hard-hitting safety Bryan Cook.
University of Wisconsin linebacker Leo Chenal was chosen in the third round by KC, with cornerback Joshua Williams and offensive lineman Darrian Kinnard taken in Saturday selections.
Finishing up the draft with a trio of 7th round selections, Kansas City chose Washington State cornerback Jaylen Watson, Rutgers running back Isaih Pacheco and Marshall University safety Nazeeh Johnson.
Among undrafted products signed by Kansas City, Clemson wide receiver Justyn Ross was brought into the Chiefs fold on Monday morning. Ross has first-round talent, leading the Tigers to the national championship as a freshman in 2018, but struggling with injuries and a diagnosis of a rare spinal condition in his final three years in school. The move to sign Ross is seen as a “low-risk, high-reward” gamble by Veach and head coach Andy Reid.
Among Missouri Tiger players taken in the NFL Draft were running back Tyler Badie, chosen in the sixth round by the Baltimore Ravens, with cornerback Akayleb Evans selected earlier in the day by the Minnesota Vikings.
Cornerback Allie Green IV signed with the Chicago Bears as an undrafted free agent, with defensive tackle Akial Byers and wide receiver Keke Chism going the same route to ink with the Green Bay Packers. Center Michael Maetti signed Saturday night with the Pittsburgh Steelers. On Sunday evening, former Mizzou defensive lineman Kobie Whiteside was invited to the Atlanta Falcons rookie minicamp on a try-out basis.
