2022 NFL Team Draft Page

One draft day rumor was that the Chiefs were attempting to trade up for CB Kiaar Elam. With both Charvarius Ward (49ers) and Mike Hughes (Lions) gone via free agency, the KC needed to fill the void at CB. I believe the team was surprised that Trent McDuffie, who was ranked higher than Elam, fell to pick 21. We all know how GM Brett Veach loves to trade up when he sees the guy he wants. Thus, the deal with the Devil (Bill Belichick) was made.

McDuffie is a tier-1 athlete, a versatile defender who can play in play in multiple schemes and positions . In his three-year career with the Huskies, McDuffie had 2 INTs, 8 passes deflected, and 3 forced fumbles. He tallied 35 tackles, including 4.5 for a loss last year. He is a tough defender against the run and a physical tackler. McDuffie will line up on the line of scrimmage and play fast and blitzes with speed and aggression.

Why did the Chiefs choose CB when one of the top Edge targets (Jermaine Johnson) was on the board? The answer is simple: Gabriel Davis would have scored 5 TDs if the new overtime rules were in effect last season. Hopefully, McDuffie is next Marcus Peters.

Grade: B-

~KCBudMan, Chiefs Analyst

Once listed at a top-5 pick prospect in the draft, George Karlaftis tumbled down the draft board. He is limited in his bend and is not the type of edge that runs around offensive tackles. A powerful and explosive behemoth, Karlaftis has strong hands and good technique to drive linemen backward. He amassed 29 tackles for loss, including 14 QB sacks, during his career for the Boilermakers. A nose for the football, he force 3 fumbles and recovered 4 fumbles, including one for a TD.

Karlaftis fits the profile of a Steve Spagnuolo Defensive End, but he can also lineup inside. Karlaftis plays hard on every down and is one of the better run stoppers at his position. I would not be surprised if the Chiefs add an additional Edge on Day 2, one that more fits the speed rusher profile. Frank Clark, who has a history of knucklehead legal concerns will haul in to $26.3M against the cap next season. He also has underproduced. The Chiefs have made their first step to move on from the expensive Clark contract.

Grade: B+.

~KCBudMan, Chiefs Analyst

Skyy Moore is PFF's highest-graded wide receiver in this draft. I can easily see him as the next versatile gadget receiver that Andy Reid offense. He can get open in various alignments, haul in passes in heavy traffic, and churn out YAC.

A former QB and DB who transitioned to the WR room, the Western Michigan prospect hauled in 95 rec, with over 107 receiving yds per game, and 10 TDs in 2021.

Grade: A-

~KCBudMan, Chiefs Analyst

The Chiefs entered the offseason indire need for depth at Safety. After the additions of Justin Reid and Devin Bush, Juan Thornhill is the only remaining Safety from the 2021 roster. He reaches the end of his rookie contract at the end of this season, after spending at least the first third of 2021 in Spagnuolo's doghouse. Enter Bryan Cook, one of three standouts drafted from the Cincinnati defensive backfield. He's a versatile player with a physical presence coming off a late season shoulder surgery.

Grade: B< br>
~KCBudMan, Chiefs Analyst

Anthony Hitchens and $22 million contract moved on. Leo Chenal now joins Willie Gay Jr. and Nick Bolton, both RD2 picks in 2020 and 2021. The Wisconsin tackling machine tallied 115 total tackles, including 18 for a loss. This is going to be a very young, very talented and very affordable group of LBs.

Grade: A