{"id":62966,"date":"2019-04-07T11:46:08","date_gmt":"2019-04-07T15:46:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lwosonnfl.ms.lastwordonsports.com\/?p=62966"},"modified":"2019-04-07T11:46:08","modified_gmt":"2019-04-07T15:46:08","slug":"kansas-city-chiefs-first-round-pick-options-2019-nfl-draft","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2019\/04\/07\/kansas-city-chiefs-first-round-pick-options-2019-nfl-draft\/","title":{"rendered":"Kansas City Chiefs First Round Pick Options"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Kansas City Chiefs<\/a> Super Bowl window is wide open. Andy Reid<\/a><\/strong> and company have the biggest competitive advantage in sports: a superstar quarterback on a rookie deal. Reigning MVP Patrick Mahomes<\/a><\/strong> is already one of the best passers in the league, and now it\u2019s time for Kansas City to build a dominant team around him. Building a champion starts with hitting on draft picks, especially the early ones. The Chiefs own the 29th<\/sup> pick in the 2019 NFL Draft and could use this pick in a variety of ways to improve the roster.<\/p>\n

Options for Kansas City Chiefs First Round Pick<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Greedy Williams\/Byron Murphy<\/h3>\n

The Kansas City Chiefs ultimately didn\u2019t make it to the Super Bowl because their defense could not stop the pass. Say what you will about Dee Ford<\/a> <\/strong>lining up offside, Kansas City lost because they couldn\u2019t stop Tom Brady<\/a><\/strong> from converting three separate third and 10\u2019s with the game on the line. The Chiefs led the league in sacks but still allowed the second-most passing yards in the league. The reason for that lies in a secondary which couldn\u2019t cover anyone. An already-weak cornerback depth chart was made weaker when Steven Nelson<\/a><\/strong> signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Chances are, one of Greedy Williams <\/strong><\/a>or Byron Murphy <\/strong><\/a>won\u2019t be available by the time Kansas City is on the clock. However, there is a decent chance that one of the two is still there. If one is on the board, Kansas City needs to make the selection. Williams is a versatile defender capable of playing multiple schemes while Murphy is a better press corner with a stronger nose for the ball. Both players have their own strengths and weaknesses but would be immediate upgrades on a struggling secondary.<\/p>\n

Dexter Lawrence<\/h3>\n

If Murphy and Williams aren\u2019t on the board, the Chiefs should address their defensive line. Kansas City couldn\u2019t stop the run in 2018, finishing the season as 30th<\/sup>-ranked run defense per DVOA. Kansas City needs to find somebody capable of plugging up the interior of that defensive line, and the best player likely available is defensive lineman Dexter Lawrence<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n

Lawrence won\u2019t offer much as a pass-rusher, but he\u2019s one of the best in the nation at taking up space and stuffing the run. He constantly beats one-on-one blocking and doesn\u2019t get overpowered by double teams. He\u2019s absurdly strong, posting a positional-best 36 bench press reps at the NFL Combine. Athleticism is one thing, but the film shows that Lawrence knows how to use his ridiculous strength. He won\u2019t solve Kansas City\u2019s defensive woes on his own, but drafting him would be a great first step in shoring up the defensive line.<\/p>\n

Clelin Ferrell<\/h3>\n

The 2019 NFL Draft is stacked to the brim with edge talent, so it\u2019s entirely possible that a player like Clelin Ferrell<\/strong><\/a> falls to the Chiefs. Ferrell is a three-year starter from Clemson, compiling 27 sacks and 50.5 tackles-for-loss during his collegiate tenure. He played in a 4-3 defense at college, making him a natural fit for Steve Spagnuolo<\/strong>\u2019s defense.<\/p>\n

Perhaps what\u2019s best about Ferrell is his versatility. While he\u2019s an accomplished pass rusher, he\u2019s just as good against the run. According to Sharp Football Stats, the Chiefs allowed 6.4 yards-per-carry on runs off left tackle and 7.3 yards-per-carry on runs off right tackle. As it is, Kansas City needs to find replacements for Dee Ford and Justin Houston<\/a><\/strong>. Ferrell can play Ford\u2019s role as a pass rusher while probably offering an upgrade as a run defender.<\/p>\n

Main photo:
\nEmbed from Getty Images<\/a>